Chapter 13 (last chapter)

Kira along with the others came to the door steps of Rick's residence, being as cautious as ever, the red door was quite a mystery to them but that didn't bother, they were more worried about the possibilities that lie behind that suspicious looking apartment.

"Who'd leave an apartment door open at a time like that?" Cagalli suddenly asked.

Kira and Lacus didn't bother to answer that question, both of them could recognize this place and the location of it is right where everything happened. It pained Lacus much more just simply looking at this place.

Kira however was thinking of something else, he couldn't help but wonder why he didn't realize the outstanding door before. He quickly snapped out of his thoughts, he knew very well that such thoughts could be dealt with some other time and that catching Rick is the prime mission now.

Kira gulped as he took another step towards the door after ensuring the safety beyond it. He hoped to end this whole incident once and for all.

Lightly kicking against the door to open it; still cautious until someone suddenly came.

"May I know what you might be doing here?" A voice was heard from behind them as they were all startled, jumping from shock.

Kira turned around, surprised and startled to see who it was.

"YOU ARE..." He stood there wondering where he saw that face before, it's really familiar but in a friendly way. He finally realized it, standing right there was the old man who gave him directions to Rick's house, minimizing his search time. Though it didn't help much, but it was really much more than he really hoped for.

"Young man, what are you doing here again?" He asked.

Shinn nudged Kira from the back gently. "Kira, this is??"

"An old man who lives around here. He assisted me in the search for Lacus that night and is also another person who fell victim to Rick's wraths." He replied. Kira slowly diverted his attention back to the old man before him before asking, "Sir, do you know where Rick went?" He asked.

"Why are you searching for him for?" He asked. He looked down at Kira's leg, it wasn't fully covered as he was wearing Bermudas. "It's not safe too look for him at this state." He said, pointing towards Kira's recovering wound.

It was still bandaged though it's in a much better condition than before. "Did that chap do that?" He asked. Kira just nodded in reply, he never really intended to expose that injury to the eyes of everyone else but the thought just slipped his mind for a moment.

"Just tell me, sir. Where is Rick?" Kira asked again. The others were getting a little irritated already but they couldn't really blame the man. He was just worried for them but from the way he talked, it really sounded as if Rick is really merciless and dangerous.

"Alright then, I saw him leaving around an hour ago. I don't know where he's going though, he's carrying a luggage with him then so I guess he's moving out. About time though, he's quite a terror to people living around here." He pointed towards the door. "Which is why his neighbors paint red color on his door, it serves to be like a warning but it's a miracle itself that he didn't mind their doings."

"Thanks sir, that's all I can really ask from you but we have to go now so we'll visit you another day!" Kira said as he grabbed onto Lacus's hand running towards the lift yet again.

"Kira!" Athrun suddenly called out from behind. Kira turned around, annoyed to have someone calling out to him at this point of time.

"What is it Athrun? I'm going to catch that freak now and there is not a moment to lose!" Kira shouted. He was desperate to get his hands on Rick. Kira attempted to just proceed in his search not allowing the others to interfere him before Athrun forcefully grabbed his arm.

"But the old man said he's gone an hour ago remember??!!" Athrun shouted, hoping to get Kira to his senses. Kira stood there, he totally forgot about that, but that wasn't enough to keep him from trying to find that guy.

Kira shook off Athrun's hand with strength put into it before turning around. "Then what you suggest we do?? Sit here and do nothing about it and let that beast just get away with it?!" Kira shouted. Cagalli stood out from the side stomping her foot towards Kira. "So what if we run around trying to find him now?!"

"What?!"

"We're searching aimlessly. Before looking for someone, please put in some brain juices along with it! We're not going to find him if we search like a fool!!" She shouted.

Kira finally realized what he was doing, he was way too engaged in his own thoughts of finding Rick and beating the crap out of him, he forgot his purpose then and there. "You're right…"

"Let's just go down to the void deck to talk over this first, I understand your hurry to find Rick but he need to talk things out like Cagalli said. It's one hour, Kira. Not one minute…" Stellar said. "He could've ran away pretty far by now and Orb is not as small as it seems when it comes to a search for a person who's trying to hide from us."

Lacus hugged Kira's arm as she gave Kira a reassuring nod. "Alright then…"

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Rick boarded into the cab he picked up along the road, he's spent the past hour walking to as far as possible while thinking of where he could go. Either ways, he didn't want to get caught by Kira nor the Orb police.

He knew that he won't be getting away with everything he's done and he wasn't ready to surrender yet. He wants to start anew somewhere else, but for now, he'd just flee to as far as possible without anyone noticing first.

"Where to, Sir?" The driver asked.

"East Coast's Ferry Station! And HURRY!" Rick emphasized. He looked at the clock face of his watch, hoping to rush there as quickly as possible. His sixth sense told him that he needs to hurry now or he'll get caught.

The taxi stopped at the traffic light, the wait was long as there were many pedestrians on the streets. Rick was finally getting annoyed, he couldn't afford waiting any longer, to the others, it may seem like a few minutes but to him it seemed like another hour had passed.

Rick got out of his passenger's seat heading towards the other side of the car, pulling the driver out of his seat with much strength before throwing some money at the poor guy who's just left helpless on the road. "Take this and shut up! You hear me?!" Rick threatened.

The taxi driver was petrified as he just nodded to everything Rick said while placing his hand on the notes Rick left for him. Rick sped off ignoring the presence of the traffic polices ahead as the pedestrians on the streets freaked out, running towards the nearest pavements, hoping to save their own lives.

Rick couldn't care much at the honking of the other vehicles and the whistle beeping at him from those traffic police, his aim right then is to just get to the Ferry ticketing office. It's been a forty minutes drive and he's finally nearing the east side of Orb. "Just a little further…" He said to himself.

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"There are three possibilities to where he could have gone to…" Lacus said.

"What are they?" Stellar asked.

"At a time like this, Rick should probably be trying to run away. Since Cagalli and Kira could easily locate his whereabouts without trouble, my guess is that he's trying to run out of Orb." Lacus explained while thinking of the ideas she's getting.

"I agree to that, it's a smart guess though, but where'd we start searching?" Shinn asked.

"I doubt he'd be at the airport since there are so much security polices and cameras around, and by going there, it'll be easy for us to locate where he's went as well." Kira said, holding Lacus close to him while she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Either ways, we can't let go of a possibility and I'd say it's better off to search for there as well. You know that guy has the tendency to use reverse psychology." Lacus said.

"Oh man! How irritating and troublesome can that disgusting guy get?!" Cagalli groaned.

"He wouldn't be considered a villain if he wasn't, would he?" Athrun joked, hoping to tense up the situation but it didn't exactly work since the rest were raking their brains on a way to locate Rick.

Kira sat there for awhile longer while the others were thinking of the biggest possibility to where that guy might've went. "Why don't we split ways then?" He suggested. The others all looked at Kira at the sudden idea to do that. "Athrun and Cagalli, you go to the airport. Shinn and Stellar, you go to the train station while Lacus and I head for the East Coast Ferry station."

"Then we'll contact each other when we locate that guy's whereabouts." Athrun said while the others nodded.

"Let's get going then!"

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Rick sped towards the point where he saw the view of the waters. He stepped on the brakes of the taxi he snatched sharply creating a sharp screech before taking his belongings, abandoning the vehicle since he had no use for it anymore.

He ran around panting heavily to see the sign of the ticketing office not far away. Fortunately he lived nearer to the east side of Orb so it didn't take him too long to reach East Coast.

He staggered up towards the counter. "1 ticket to Berlin please."

"Sir, but the ferry to Berlin just left five minutes ago so you might want to consider going to other places or wait for the next ferry which is in another hour later?" The lady asked politely.

Rick felt like threading her too, but he knew that it's pointless to do that, he need that ride and by doing it, it might cause him to be black listed before he could actually flee. He also figured that it'd be safe to just hang around another hour. "I'll take the next ride."

Rick grabbed his bags, placing them into a rental locker before walking towards the jetty nearby to look at the scenery of the waters from Orb for the last time. He knew that after he reached Berlin, he'll probably never come back to Orb again and that he'll never see the warm ocean for another time anymore.

"Father, you brought me to this state. I'm fleeing now because I don't want to join nor see you again just yet, but I'm sure you'll protect over me huh?" He whispered to himself. "I can never forgive you for everything you did, but you're still my father so if at all you treat me as your son, bless me with this trip."

Rick raised his hands up a little, looking down onto his palm. "What is love?" He asked himself. All of the sudden, he felt his heart tugging like something is going to happen.

"Huh?"

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Kira and Lacus were taking the shortest route towards the Ferry station as the short cut was only known to the upper hands of Orb. It was made known to them by Cagalli to get to the place in the shortest possible amount of time.

"Kira…" Lacus suddenly said.

"Yes, Lacus?" Kira suddenly asked as he placed his free hand onto Lacus's hand which is resting on her lap. "Please be safe when we reach there. Athrun and Shinn aren't around this time round so you have to let your guard up at all times, you hear me?"

Kira looked towards Lacus's direction for a moment before looking back to the windscreen. "As long as it's a request from you, Lacus…" He promised.

They are just a stone throw away from the Ferry port now and as if affinity, they spotted a guy with a back view like those that resembled Rick's. "That's Rick alright…" Kira said.

Lacus was about to take out her cell phone to contact the others about their search before Kira grabbed her wrist gently, shaking his head. "This is between the three of us, Lacus. We'll have to solve this internally once and for all so don't call the rest for the time being."

Lacus stared at Kira for a moment before understanding his request. "I understand Kira…let's go."

Kira and Lacus were slowly and cautiously approaching towards the jetty, trying to keep out of Rick's side as much as possible. He seemed to be just there looking at the sea. "I didn't know he had an emotional side to his crooked heart." Kira said.

"Don't say that, Kira. Remember…Rick has a sad past as well and he too deserves to be understood as much as we do. But unlike us, he didn't have family or friends whom he can fall back on when he was alone…" Lacus said.

The both of them slowly approached before Rick suddenly turned around facing straight at them, like in a flash, pulling out a small dagger pointing towards them before grabbing an old lady beside him who's just fishing.

"Don't come closer…" Rick said, pointing the shiny dagger towards the old woman, letting the tip of the blade face her throat. The old lady was shocked at what happened as she struggled with her might to get out of his grasp.

"What do you want, Rick?" Kira asked sternly, looking at the old lady who's terrified from the sudden events. He didn't dare to make any sudden movements for fear to put an innocent life at risk.

"What do you think, Yamato?" He smirked while his hands shivered.

Lacus was about to step forward before Kira put up his hand to stop her from taking another step closer to the scene. "Let her go now…" Kira said calmly. "Let her go and nothing will happen."

Rick stared at Kira coldly, bursting out into a heavy laughter. "Wouldn't it be stupid to let a hostage go?" He asked while laughing at Kira once again. "How nice of you to pay another visit to me though, it's really my honor and to bring more fun into this visit, you brought my precious Lacus Clyne along with you as well?"

Kira clenched his fist, he had no mood for jokes with this guy, it's almost like Rick's out of mental control over even himself. Kira looked towards Lacus nodding at her, reassuring that it'll all be fine. He turned back towards Rick who's still in grip of the elderly woman.

"It's nice to see you Lacus dear. Missed me during these few weeks? Of course you did." Rick laughed like he was going to go berserk any time. His hair was all messed up and his shirt is wrinkled, dirtied and had many buttons loose. He is in a complete mess now.

"What do you want, Rick. Just go ahead and shoot!" Kira shouted.

Rick wasn't at all taken aback at the loud tone of Kira's voice. "Let me get out of Orb peacefully…" He said. "I'm tired of this hide and seek game, just let me off and this old lady will be fine." He tightened his grip around her neck again causing her to cringe.

"Don't!" Kira shouted reaching out his hand before realizing that Rick hasn't made any drastic movements yet. He hesitated for awhile, looking at the hostage in Rick's hand who was on the verge to tears before looking up at Rick, clutching his fist again.

"So I see, you want to beat me up," Rick mocked, looking at Kira's hand movement. "So is it a yes or a no?" Rick asked again, bringing the dagger closer to the neck of the old woman. The setting sun caused the rose colored sky to shine brightly onto the blade as it shined again, not in beauty but in threat.

"Ok…I'll let you go, just let go of that woman now. She's perfectly innocent and has nothing to do with this…" Kira finally said. Lacus was shocked at what Kira just said but she was well aware that she'd do the same if she was in his position as well. It's a life they are looking at right then. Rick is capable of doing anything and that includes hurting the opposition if he has to as Lacus was already exposed to much of those abuse.

Rick widened his eyes in shock as he slowly narrowed his eyes again before smirking. He looked towards Lacus's direction as she did the same to face him back as well. "Don't try any tricks, my friend. You know that I'm capable of doing anything if I found out you have another agenda… or rather, your girl knows. Aren't I right, Lacus?"

Lacus just frowned as she continued to keep her eyes towards his directions. The honking of the ferry is finally heard as Rick cautiously walked up to the port, not letting go of the woman in his arms to prevent any sudden movements made by Kira.

"You're a smart guy, Yamato. If you keep this cool of yours till I leave, all of us have nothing to lose and this will be the end of our ties forever." Rick smirked. Kira didn't say anything but follow him towards the direction Rick was headed. He knew that any more time lose, Rick will really get away.

Rick reached the edge of the port as he was ready to enter the ferry any time soon; he swiftly pushed the old woman away as Lacus went up front to catch a hold of her before she fall as Rick quickly turned around attempting to flee.

Kira saw this happening as he wasted no time, running up towards Rick, grabbing him by the shoulders firmly before Rick turned around with a back swing, slitting the dagger across his arm. It didn't make Kira flinch at all, he predicted this as much.

Kira used his unwounded hand to grab the wrist of the hand which Rick held the dagger in, using the other to stop his other hand from hitting him. The competence of strength is at stake. Kira used all his strength to turn Rick around, pushing him down towards the floor.

Kira understood the dangers of Rick holding a weapon as he quickly pounces down carefully, trying to take away the blood stained dagger in his hands.

During which, Rick suddenly laughed again, "This is fun, isn't it Yamato? Doesn't this scene just remind you of the past?"

Kira didn't find his old remark funny at all, if Rick isn't going to repent from his mistakes, then he's giving him no chance or room for escape either. Kira pulled the dagger out of his hand quickly while grazing his palm as it slid up the blade of it.

Rick quickly took this chance to push Kira down the floor as he got back up above him quickly, switching positions. "Give it up, Kira Yamato. You're already wounded but I'm in a perfect condition. Don't you see that you're at a disadvantage now?" He said as he grabbed Kira by the throat in a firm grip.

Kira placed one hand onto Rick's hand trying to remove it from choking him as he slowly used his other hand to reach for the dagger which didn't fly too far away from the position. Rick saw what Kira was doing as he quickly loosen his grip and pounced for Kira's hand as Kira finally picked the dagger upright.

It all happened in split seconds as Rick suddenly saw the blade pointing upwards, but is unable to stop himself from falling onto it as it pierced right into his chest. Lacus was so shocked from all those at the corner as she quickly squatted down, hugging her knees close to her chest, burying her face within.

Kira was shocked beyond words as well as he flipped Rick around to see Rick holding onto his hand which hasn't let go of the dagger.

"So does this determine who's winner?" Rick coughed as he felt his vision darkening.

"Why'd you say so?" Kira asked.

Rick just smirked at him before chuckling again, causing himself to choke and cough heavily. "So my dad didn't see me through at all. He's never did in my entire life though…" He struggled as he looked towards Kira, feeling himself losing out of time.

"I'd say this is goodbye but it's a pity that our game ended this way, isn't it?" He panted heavily to gather as much oxygen as possible, "But I'm unhappy to lose to you, Yamato. I'd be loads happier if I didn't die in your hands, so this is it." Rick said before plunging the dagger deeper into his chest, ending his breath instantly as he fell down, dead.

His blood stained hands losing strength as it fell towards the ground. Kira slowly loosen grip of the dagger as Lacus quickly rushed to beside him, burying her face in his chest.

"Towards the end, he still died in his own honor, putting his pride in place." Kira whispered to her as he used his unstained hand to hug her, letting her cry. Rick fell right before him, but he knew very well that Rick chose to end his life himself.

The people around the port just stared at the man lying in them pool of bloods. He didn't seem like he's been suffering, instead, he seemed like he died away peacefully. Kira and Lacus slowly walked through the crowds, leaving the scene.

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A month later

The school bell rang as the six of them gathered together during recess once again. Getting together, complaining about boring classes and even fun ones for some of them.

"This feels just like before all the trouble started huh?" Stellar squealed.

"Yeah, I've never felt so good in school in a long time!!" Athrun answered. "Today's Lacus's birthday isn't it? Why not we celebrate it tonight? How 'bout that??"

"YEAH!! I LOVE PARTY!!!" Cagalli shouted.

"Because it'll get you fat when you keep eating!" Shinn joked. Cagalli looked towards his direction sending a death glare right at him. "You're so dead, Shinn!!" Cagalli said as she started chasing Shinn around.

Lacus and Kira giggled in the middle of all the excitement. "Pardon me people, have fun with your catching sister but me and Lacus have other business to attend to…" Kira suddenly said. Lacus looked up at him with a shocked face.

"what's this about, Kira." Lacus asked. Kira smiled at her as he bent down to her ear whispering. "It's a surprise…"

"What's so secretive there, Kira?? Come on…out with it!!"

"OHH KIRA HAS A SECRET HE'S KEEPING FROM US!!!" Athrun and Shinn teased, making Kira blush. "You will know in time to come, so please spare us a few minutes for now." Kira said as he smiled at Lacus who returned it.

Kira gently grabbed Lacus's hand, pulling her away from the crowd of their rowdy friends. Kira is really nervous about this but it's a birthday gift he's been planning for a long time. He slowly led Lacus to towards the corridor of the canteen.

"So what is it, Kira?" Lacus asked expectantly. She could see his nervousness from the sweat droplets on his palm and forehead, she also detected redness on his cheeks as he battled himself, trying to find a way to come through with those seemingly 'hard to voice out' words.

"Ahh….Lacus…" Kira stuttered. He took a deep breath. 'You can to it Yamato, it's now or never!! You planned for this so just say it as naturally as possible.' Kira slowly breathed out some cold air from his mouth as he cleared his throat.

"During this period of time, Lacus, we've been through so much…such that I really felt my need to have you by my side. My worst days were surfaced, the day you ran away because you misunderstood me and Corene. The time when I found out that you've been kidnapped, when I heard your screams and cries. I never want to hear you in such sadness or agony again, Lacus. I want to keep you by my side, I want to protect you. From the time I found you, I knew that I have to seize every moment I have with you after then, I knew that you are my partner Lacus. I want to keep you safe and happy, never letting you come to any form of threats, dangers of fears anymore. So I'll do all I can to keep that smile on your face forever. Please marry me…" Kira finally said.

Lacus was shocked beyond words. She used both her hands to cover her mouth as she widened her eyes before slowly softening her expression smiling at Kira. Kira slowly pulled out a pair of custom made rings in a box. Kira put in all efforts to just make that. It may not be a super expensive ring, but the thought itself is priceless.

The meaning behind those plain rings with both their names on it is treasure itself as Lacus felt a warm tear slowly trickle down the corner of her eyes. She quickly pulled Kira into a tight embrace as if he'd fly away if she let go.

"I've been waiting for this day, Kira. Even before, when I was frightened, I was calmed down by the thoughts of you. I felt so relieved just hearing your voice through the phone the other day, I felt like I could give the world up to just be by your side again. I never doubted that you wouldn't be there for me, I was only afraid then that I wouldn't take it enough to be there for you again. I was afraid of submitting to those bitter times, afraid of giving up just by the thought that you haven't gave up. I love you, Kira!!" Lacus replied.

"So that means you accept right??" Kira asked sheepishly as they reluctantly pulled out of each other's embrace, still unable to keep their hands off each other, they slowly leaned their face in, close to one another till their lips are touching.

"Keep it down, Shinn!!" Cagalli suddenly shouted which caused the both of them to jump while wandering around to see their four friends hiding behind a wall.

Shinn, Cagalli, Athrun and Stellar were shocked for a moment before they slowly came out of their hiding place, with a very angry Kira facing them. "Cagalli, you are so dead!!" Kira said.

The four of them cheered out for Kira and Lacus as they kept insisting they continue their previous incomplete gesture. Kira and Lacus smiled at each other as Lacus blushed in a deep shade of red out of embarrassment. Kira decided to make the first move this time as he leaned down to capture her lips with Lacus returning it.

--end—

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A/N: Disappointing ending to some?? Hehe not to make the wedding and everything because I am getting really tired. I was previously trying to look for a way to continue Love's Test and A Chance of Fate or even Love of a Lifetime, but I realized that I've been dragging this for a long time. I really want to thank readers who read this lousy first fic of mine and I hope that I haven't really disappointed you guys so far. I still have other stories to continue on so I hope to continue writing. Of course, my school holidays are nearing to an end so that will leave me with little time to write when the new semester arrives as I have to prepare for a major exam, but hey who am I to complain? Writing satisfies me and hopefully you readers as well. I'm sorry if the ending is a little rushed as well. I will be updating A Chance of Fate next so please review if you still want to see my other stories updated too R&R!!