Summary: Kira and Cagalli are twins with a tragic childhood; filled with suffering, abuse and the death of their mother. After years of pain and attempted healing, dark secrets and mysteries will be unveiled as their past returns to haunt them.

A/N: I am back and have a job (working at a car repair shop:-0) but that's irrelevant considering that this story is new and (hopefully?) improved.

To everyone who read, reviewed, favorited or alerted my previous version of 'The Scars We Hide', thank you so very much for your support, advice and generally just deciding to read my ideas. I hope you enjoy this rewritten edition just as much as the former one. To anyone reading this for the first time, welcome and I hope you intend to stay.

Other Themes/Warnings: Other characters (Oc's),Hurt/comfort, humour, violence (i.e. death, abuse, torture or graphic scenes). Sexual content (implied, referenced or otherwise), self-abuse, yaoi/yuri (slash), depression, vandalism, language, mentioned or implied substance abuse…And just about anything else, you can possibly think of, which should constitute as a warning. Consider yourselves warned.

If characters sometimes appear slightly OoC, please realize that it is part of the plot and therefore necessary. Understand that this is an AU and the characters are not war-hardened soldiers.

Main Pairings: Kira/Lacus, Athrun/Cagalli, Dearka/Miriallia, Yzak/Shiho, Shinn/Stella, Heine/Oc, Mu/Murrue and Miguel/Sting…There will also be other possible, one-sided, implied or non-consensual pairings. A few pairings that are not important and maybe a few pairings that come as a surprise. I know they certainly surprised me ^-^

Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything in relation to Gundam SEED or Gundam SEED Destiny. Nor do I own anything quoted or used from other materials, e.g. songs, song titles, lines or extracts…So do not sue me, for I have nothing and only the lawyers will benefit from the ordeal. Overall, I own my Oc's and the plot. Standard disclaimer applies for every chapter.

***Story has no beta so feel free to inform me of any errors.

The Scars We Hide

The Beginning: "Black Rain as the Bell Tolls"

"...and what you can see directly behind us are the remains of 42 First Avenue, which was destroyed by a fire." One reporter exclaimed loudly while pushing his black-framed glasses back as they slid down his nose. "How the deadly flames initially started is still indefinite, though I suspect Orb Police Department, currently on scene, wishes the information to remain undisclosed for the moment considering the accident's mysterious occurrence, as well as the reputation of the family involved…"

Embers that had formerly been bright, thriving flames glowed faintly between charred wood, rubble and shattered glass while smoke rose in thin wisps compared to the thick, acrid tendrils that had previously congested the nighttime air. The surrounding area contained a whirl of activity, blaring sirens and gleaming lights, coupled with the hushed whispers of neighbourhood families, who had gathered on the opposite side of the street to watch the police procedures with morbid curiosity.

"...Authorities were notified of the incident by concerned neighbours, who claimed to have been awoken by a gun shot and excessive shouting" A second reporter, this one female with bouncing curly hair. "…Minutes later, a deafening blast shook all surrounding buildings."

Uzumi Nara Atha, Lord and Representative of Orb Nation, had watched the images of said disaster dance across the television screen, in a burst of colour and various sound effects.

His external appearance remained detached but inwardly, his heart was racing.

"Sources say that the flames started off small, but must have come in to contact with flammable chemicals stored within the house, thus causing the large explosion near the kitchen, which consumed..."

Uzumi could only blink as he struggled to focus on the reporters words.

"...After a two-hour battle against the raging inferno, the house was deemed a complete loss. Three out of the four family members were pulled from the building, having miraculously survived the explosion and its aftermath. Via Hibiki, along with her seven year old twins were rushed to Kusanagi General Hospital's ICU for varying injuries such as severe burns and confirmed gunshot wounds…"

He didn't even register when his office door opened and someone walked inside, depositing a stack of files upon his desk before leaving.

"Via Hibiki died upon arrival, however, the children's current condition is still undetermined and no further information concerning the matter is known..."

Uzumi closed his eyes to hide his grief.

"Ulen Hibiki, husband of Via and a chief figure within the scientific community, has not yet been found and is presumed dead until further notice…"

"This is Amara Whitney…"

"…Stan Shaw…"

"And you are watching channel sevens, eight a.m news broadcast..."

A lone tear silently dripped onto a piece of paper, sinking into the document and marring the words etched upon its surface.

XxX

The rain was mild yet unrelenting as it fell from a dark grey, afternoon sky; its clouds ominously streaked with black shadows that warned of an approaching storm, far worse than this soft, autumn shower. Morbid weather that coated Orb's cemetery in a gloomy haze appropriate for the occasion, and at the same time, fell into the category of oddly clichéd…because was that not the type of weather generally expected when attending a funeral. Uzumi certainly thought so.

Standing under a nondescript umbrella, he tried to remain as inconspicuous as possible, though that was no easy feat given his face was well known and respected by most of the public (and it didn't exactly help that he was surrounded by five armed men, all dressed in black military-styled suits). Therefore, Uzumi did his best to ignore the furtive glances or the occasional whisper that held the hint of his name, and solely focused on the reason why he was here.

"…And though this day is one of great sorrow…"

Uzumi's heart clenched painfully, an ache that he had not felt for many years. It was a hurt that he had become intimate with in the last few days…a hurt that made him relive all his regrets, especially now as he stood within the icy rain and watched his childhood love laid to rest.

"…A woman of great talent…"

He heard the priest's words yet could not latch onto their meaning, nor find any comfort in them. The person described sounded nothing like the Via Hibiki (formerly Carn), he had known. It sounded too impersonal, too rehearsed (though most eulogies probably were) and he battled with that simple fact.

Uzumi recalled a woman of sharp intelligence and great internal strength. A woman whose laugh had brought him cheer on the darkest of days, whose liquid brown eyes were the very window to her soul, hiding none of her emotions, no matter what they may be or who was present to bare witness. She had been kind and caring, sweet tempered unless provoked and even then, not ever losing it without reason. Via had been perfection in his mind, or as near perfection as you could get with humanity.

Uzumi sighed heavily, earning a concerned glance from his brother Homura, the only person not standing nearby for his protection. Uzumi offered him a brief smile, aware that it was probably more of a grimace, but hoping that it eased his siblings mind anyway and lessened whatever concern he may have. Returning his attention to the priest after Homura nodded in return, the heartache seemed to clench tighter than before.

For years, Via had been his world and the woman he would have gladly chosen to be with for the rest of his life. Back then, they had been young, completely in love and eager to make their families proud…and the latter had ultimately been their undoing, because back then, family pride and honour came before your own feelings.

It did not matter that Via had belonged to a respectable family, worthy of carrying the Atha name and the responsibilities that came with the title. It did not matter that their families had been friends in a fashion and knew each other well. It certainly did not matter that he and Via had genuinely loved one another…All that mattered was the honour of the family, and the fact that the suitors for each child had been chosen when they were born. Breaking such an old contract was dishonourable, and so Uzumi and Via had ended their relationship to fulfil their families wishes, by marrying the people selected for them even if it broke their hearts in the process.

To be fair, Sumiko Ina Sahaku had been both kind, beautiful and a gifted artist. She had been a woman of great moral standing and a match worthy for any respectable man. Their marriage, which had begun as awkward and full of resent, had developed into a deep friendship filled with compassion and understanding…and yet, never love, even if they had cared deeply for one another.

When Sumiko died form cancer just three years previously, he had grieved as one would over the loss of their best friend, but he had not loved her…and she had understood.

Uzumi wondered, not for the first time, why he had never eloped with Via, as he had wanted to after finding out about the arranged marriages. Maybe, if he had gone through with the idea, Sumiko could have found someone that truly loved her the way she deserved. Maybe, Via would be alive in this moment.

Uzumi closed his eyes briefly to prevent tears from forming, before opening them once more and pushing his morose, self-pitying thoughts aside. There were so many ands, if and maybes, but he knew there was no point to wondering what may have been when the future held its own concerns.

"…And so we say goodbye to this young soul, hoping she has finally found peace after many years of suffering…"

Suffering that could have been prevented! Uzumi inwardly raged, a sudden and familiar anger growing within him at the remembrance of those words and the sorrow of the memory. Though not mentioned directly due to the sensitivity of the situation, the cause of Via's death had been publicised shortly after its occurrence and thus, was no secret.

Uzumi's hands balled into fists, ignoring his brothers' concerned scrutiny as if it were the plague.

Though suspected of surviving the fire, Via's husband was never mentioned. No one present that day would dare utter Ulen Hibiki's name, not after confirmation that he had been the one responsible for the bullet wound that had claimed his wife's life, along with the fire that had destroyed the house and the injuries done to their two children.

Years of constant abuse, finally ended but revealed to all those who had been unaware…and the monster accountable having vanished without a trace, stirring a manhunt that found nothing and only inflicted more anguish.

Yet from all this grief, something unexpected had occurred. Uzumi's dark eyes latched onto the figure of a small girl with blonde hair and bright amber eyes…A child who had an almost exact copy in the form of her twin brother, who currently could not leave the hospital due to the severity of his injuries.

…

Two weeks before the funeral and only a few days after the incident, Uzumi found himself attending the reading of Via's last will and testament, feeling overwhelmed over the fact that he was even in it as they had not spoken in the last several years. He had received a rather large envelope but no hint of what it contained, only a small adjoining note saying it was important and was to be read in privacy.

Nearing midnight and with half a bottle of brandy finished, Uzumi finally found the courage to read Via's letter, his final connection to the woman he would never see again.

With trembling fingers, he tore the packet open neatly and pulled out a sheaf of folded paper that seemed worn and tattered, as if it had seen constant use in the many years since its creation.

Knowing Via, she had probably worried over every detail, mistakes not found and things that might have been forgotten, going back repeatedly just in case there had been. She had been a closet-perfectionist and this letter was proof of that. Uzumi could not help but smile faintly at the thought.

Sighing and deciding there were no longer anymore reasons to delay, he opened the paper and began to read, eager and nervous, all at the same time.

Dear Uzumi,

If you are reading this letter, then I have sadly passed on to that next big adventure. I hope my death was not too tragic, but life, for the most part, is unpredictable and as much as I wish for something, it does not mean I shall get it. However, I digress from the importance of this letter and the very reason why I am even writing it.

You see, there is something I have not told you, something that you deserved to know as soon as I found out…

Minutes later, Uzumi was clutching the paper tightly and staring at it with wide eyes, unable to believe what Via had written.

"It's impossible…" He had whispered aloud, but knew that denying her claims was a fruitless mission given the evidence she had included and the facts he knew without a doubt to be true.

…

His children.

The very thought was strange and mildly disconcerting, even though a isolated part of his mind rejoiced in the idea that he and Via had created something so incredible.

Most of time since reading the letter, had been spent in meetings with Caridad Yamato, Via's younger sister. After a DNA test had been done to confirm the claims (for substantial proof and nothing else, since Uzumi knew she would never lie about something so immense), they had taken to discussing the twins future.

"Are you sure you want them Uzumi? That you want to adopt them?" Caridad had asked.

"They're my children." He had answered easily, surprising even himself at the time with his willing admission to a fact they, had only recently, been made aware. "I admit to being more than shocked when I found out, but I have to do this…I want to do this."

Uzumi had thought Caridad would fight him over the declaration, saying he couldn't possibly know what he was talking about since he had only known the truth for less then seventy-two hours, but the dark-haired woman had astounded him.

"I know how much you loved my sister." Caridad had said with a sad smile and watery eyes. "I also know that she would have wanted you to be a part of your children's lives…I'm only sorry that it's taken so long for the truth to come out."

"I'm sorry too…"

"Uzumi…"

"Yes Homura?" He asked, turning his attention towards his brother though his gaze remained steadfastly upon the young blond girl.

"Shall we wait for you by the car?"

"I think that would be for the best." Uzumi answered and when his head guard, Teruko, shifted slightly, he added. "I think I'll be fine on my own for a few minutes. Besides, it would be best if we didn't intimidate the child any further."

"Of course, my Lord." Teruko replied, grudgingly accepting the logic and understanding that what the family had suffered was more than enough. Being surrounded by armed guards was probably the least great idea when you wanted to earn someone's trust.

Uzumi waited until they departed along with his brother, who paused shortly to offer some brief comfort and advice.

"Just breathe. This is just as horrible and as new for them, as it is for you."

Uzumi sighed and nodded, then straightened himself before slowly approaching the group of three still standing close to the grave while other figures began to leave in small groups. Caridad was the first to notice his presence, though her husband and Via's little girl were not too far behind.

"Lord Uzumi." Caridad greeted with a small smile and watery grey eyes, inclining her head politely. Beside her, the man, Hiruma Yamato if Uzumi's recollection was correct, mimicked the movement while the child watched on warily with her large amber eyes.

"My condolences to you and your family, Caridad." He murmured quietly, frustrated with his inability to express his sorrow in any other words besides these. "Via w-was a remarkable woman, whom I will never forget."

The little girl stifled a soft whimper and clung to her aunts black skirt, burying her face in the satin material.

"Thank you, Lord Uzumi." Caridad replied softly, stroking the child's hair and watching her sadly, before turning back to face him. "And thank you for being here."

"Nothing would have kept me away."

"I know." The dark-haired woman murmured understandingly. Uzumi then watched as Caridad knelt beside the little girl.

"Cagalli…" She began in soft tones. "This is Lord Uzumi Nara Atha, the ruler of Orb."

Prompted from a glance by Caridad, Uzumi took this as a queue to speak.

"It's very nice to meet you Cagalli." He announced quietly, heart clenching only slightly with pain and anger, but mostly apprehension.

The little girl remained silent, but despite her obvious sadness and uncertainty, a glimmer of curiosity warred within her golden gaze that met his steadily. The fierce spirit that lurked behind her grief-stricken tears surprised Uzumi greatly as well as it did warm his soul.

"H-hi…" Cagalli whispered after glancing quickly in her aunt's direction and wondering what this man had to do with her family or her mommy.

Uzumi could not stop the smile that formed when Cagalli shyly held out her small hand to shake his own. He was new at this and the road ahead would most likely be a hard one, but just a glance into those smouldering eyes had Uzumi hooked and he knew there was no turning back now.

XxX

It took two long months before all the proper documentation concerning the twins, could be finalised. In that time, Uzumi had legally adopted them while Caridad and her husband remained the children's next capable guardian in case (heaven forbid) anything ever happened to him, Kira's injuries had healed enough to be taken home and both twins had gently been informed of the situation.

The former Hibiki twins now known as Cagalli Yula and Kira Ren Atha (their middles names taken from his own parents), were currently being settled into their new lives as young nobles.

Cagalli had accepted the transition with surprising ease and Kira…Well, his reaction was debatable but Uzumi figured it would simply take time to adjust to the change even though the matter concerned the Lord far more than he let on. His first meeting with the small brunet still burned freshly in his mind as if it had only happened yesterday.

…

Caridad had brought both twins over to his home after leaving the hospital.

Uzumi had watched Cagalli climb out of the car, followed carefully by a boy only slightly taller than she was, with his left arm and shoulder bandaged in thick white gauze. The blonde girl had excitedly led her brother over when she caught sight of Uzumi standing on the terrace.

"This is Kira." She had proudly exclaimed leaving Uzumi awed by the sheer adoration for her twin, which shone clearly in her eyes. "He's my brother."

"Nice to meet you Kira."

A look into those impassive amethyst eyes had made Uzumi's heart falter with both grief and anger. It was not the sort of emotion, one expected to see upon a seven year olds face, after having just lost his mother. Especially a seven-year-old carrying visible marks of his supposed fathers twisted form of love…

Kira had simply nodded while watching him with a guarded edge that made Uzumi's skin crawl. No child should ever wear an expression such as that.

…

Right there and then, Uzumi had made a silent promise to whichever deity was listening in that moment. Nothing or no one would hurt his children as long as he had the power and ability to protect them. They were Via's gift to him and he would do whatever he could to keep them safe.

A/N: This prologue was designed to show a fair bit of the twin's past and the changes I have made in regards to their childhood and how they will grow up. It is seen through the eyes of Uzumi Nara Atha, ruler of Orb, who has just discovered that he is their biological father and shown in short, segmented pieces. The next chapter will start when the twins are eighteen and starting college, but do not worry because there will be flashbacks of their childhood later on. I hope that the flashbacks were not too confusing and that everyone understands.

Extra facts/Info: I am using 'Carn' as Via and Caridad's maiden name. Kira's second name 'Ren' means Lotus or Romance (however I could be wrong) and which I thought, suited him, though I honestly do not know why.

Sumiko Ina Sahaku is an Oc daughter I created to be the child for canon character Rhondo Ghina Sahaku. Uzumi's bodyguard, Teruko, is also an Oc and will be making more appearances in the future.

Songs that inspired this prologue; 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' by Metallica, 'When it Rains' by Paramore and 'Black Parade' by My Chemical Romance.

Any questions, please feel free to ask and I hope that you all enjoyed. All comments are appreciated, as well as advice, queries or criticism, so please review. If you think there is anything in this chapter that needs to be worked on, feel free to inform me. Lastly, I apologise for the long A/N and sincerely hope I do not make them a regular occurrence. Review…please?