One Week

Seraphim Earl

Author's notes: got no idea what to do, too busy because of graduation thingies, I really wish vacation to come!

Anyway we have the usual disclaimer so do not bother suing me. Here we have day 2 after the blind date, What really happened in the blind date, since it looked like many of you are confused. Hahahaha. Sorry, my bad.

(We got Kallen's birthday coming up!)

Chapter 3: Wh- Questions

"When will you ever answer to my proposal princess?" a voice nagged to Kallen's ears as she turned to the owner of the voice. In front of her was a suitor of hers, a prince of the Kingdom of India, handsome, powerful, and got an earring in his right earlobe and is good in sword fighting yet he was weak in the challenges of the mind. Krual, was just one of her too many suitors and she was getting tired of entertaining them each day that they decided to persist their proposal. She sighed a she turned her attention to the task at hand, disposing her suitors one-by-one. "I will only accept your marriage proposal, if and only if you win against me in a chess match."

He was silenced by that as he contemplated his chances of winning, which was none and after a few exchange of words he left her alone at last.

She could only run away to her citadel and sanctuary.

She really was not in the mood of meeting any of her suitors and if she could she could let down their proposal one by one. "No… Sorry… Nope. Denied."

If only it was that easy. She would be free and really happy by now. When her father announced that she was of marrying age and that they will leave all the deciding to her she was plunged to this hell of things unbearable for even a warrior princess like her. She loved being a princess and all, when she was at least seven years old, until she hated the fact that Japan thought of her as a gem to be protected at any cost.

She hated the fame and everything that comes along with such word. She loves most of the responsibilities and most of the privileges as well. Key word: most. She loves the privileges such as; getting most of the things that she wants, having influence to people and such things like that. She loves the responsibilities of being a princess; being the protector of one country and your subjects, being the one where people relies onto and being someone that the people looks up to. She hated that her freedom was robbed away from her. She was the princess and even if the world thinks that she was free, that was one thing that she was not wholly blessed. She must follow the rules of the state, the country and of etiquette and that she must be an example to their subjects. She hated that it seemed like everything she do must be the talk of everyone. That was why she did such thing.

Once in the course of history, a grave news spread across the world. The news contained the fact that the Nihon Princess became gravely ill with a sickness that will hinder most of her activities. She was seldom seen in school and was known to be sent in the provinces with only her head maid with her. The world could only wonder what really happened.

They never knew until later that such news was a fraud. Kallen Kouzuki Stadtfeld made the news herself and made sure that her family could only do nothing but agree with her scheme. She actually left home and made a personality of a commoner, trying to help the victims of the Great War that was occurring in her home country. Naoto was a big help in her scheme for he was the one to persuade their parents to agree, even if it was half-heartedly. She sighed as she moved across the hallways of her home. She bought a traditional house near their palace and stayed here most of the times. Such place was a meeting place of the inner circle of the Black Knights and once in a while Ohgi and Tamaki would visit her and just chat about the matters about being the Prime Minister and being its assistant. She sighed once again as she decided to sit on the floor on one vacant room and just stared forward to the full bloom cherry blossom tree that was on her garden.

"Why did you did such thing?" a voice muttered behind her that she could only sigh for the nth time of the day and the fact that it was still early morning did not make any matters any bit better. "You knew you were set up somehow and you still went and acted like you really just met each other for some number of times that could be counted in one hand. Why?"

"Just for fun." Kallen replied with a small smile as she faced her visitor. "I believe the door was open and you knocked that I did not heard anything."

"Lelouch played along like a good dog he is." Her companion said in a matter-of-fact tone. Kallen could only smile wider at this. Honestly, he quickly found out how she really wanted their 'blind date' would play along as a true one. He was just too smart to figure it out quickly and they played it out like professional actors and actresses they seldom portray as. "We knew each other too well, so why state the obvious?"

"Habit." The red haired lady replied again as she drank the tea that her companion graciously prepared for them. She could only smile in longing for the times where her actions were like the fire that she truly is and the world would not even speak about such reputation. "You've lived more than a lifetime CC, what would you do if you're in my situation?"

"Which situation?" CC asked with bored golden eyes as she sat beside her with her Cheese-kun in her arms. "The being cooped up part, the suitor's part or the whole princess thing?"

"I believe you never have been a princess?"

"I can't help you with that, just wanted to ask." CC said as she slumped and arranged herself in a more comfortable yet etiquette defying position. She envied the witch and could only wonder why it seemed to happen that etiquette became her twin sister that she couldn't brush off. Such times where she throws all propriety and her twin sister 'etiquette' out the window were the times where she really needed to let go of herself. Those times where she needed to remind herself of the her that she cooped in her 'princess' façade. "Your family knows the Kallen you really are, the Black Knights showed them who you are, and it's just the world that you need to convince that you aren't a damsel in distress."

"I am once or twice." Kallen said. CC always knew what she meant. "That time when Xingke captured me was a constant reminder. Even that time where Lelouch and Suzaku needed to rescue me from Simoun Clifford was a great imprint on the fact as well."

"Concerning your suitors, why not marry one of them?" CC said as she shifted the topic away from her identity. It was Kallen's constant problem, an identity crisis. "That would be the easiest thing to calm the world's nerves and as well as your parents."

"I need to know first why my parents suddenly wanted to marry me off so quickly." Kallen sighed as she finally let herself to loosen up and relax. "Do you know something about that?"

"None." The green-haired witch said in one breath. They were looking at only one point in the scenery, the lone cherry blossom that is not in bloom. It was always like that, they would always try to find the late bloomer. "Marry Lelouch then."

"A marriage of convenience?" Kallen suddenly said with wide eyes. "He would not like it. He always vowed that he would only have one Queen and that would be the only woman that he would love in his life. He'll never propose nor agree."

"Are you sure?" CC said with an elongated end. She was looking at her with blank eyes and she was somewhat giving her a silent torture. The silence spread out in a long time, until Kallen could not take it anymore. "You were the one to push him away."

Kallen's countenance visibly fell before it built up once again into an expressionless façade. The witch could only inwardly sigh at their situation and how everything worked out. She knew what happened and how it went out but CC never knew the reason why and both parties are always evasive about the subject. "Why did you refuse being his one and only Queen? He gave it to you without any other thought and without looking to another woman and at the end of the war you shoved such title away."

"I am still Q-1 CC. I am still his Q-1 until the Order of the Black Knights is to be disbanded and until the world forgets such title." Kallen replied as she took sip of her tea that surely had gone cold. It was as it seemed to CC like every answer was prepared by Kallen before any question was asked. "I will always be his Goddess of War, highest general and personal bodyguard, if there is still a need of that, but I can never be his wife or concubine."

"You are killing yourself." CC said in a bored tone yet her eyes are calculating each movement of the princess that she was with. They were the lone lady duo of the inner circle of the Black Knights (the one that fought that is) and on the course of such war the two of them built a tie of friendship and unbreakable trust. They knew each other more than she knew her own self. "Even if I was an immortal and the history books changed my true nature to being an 'alchemist' I can still say that you are suffocating yourself Kallen."

"I actually told Lelouch to not make me his Queen because I was concerned about Shirley, she loved Lelouch dearly and I could not figure out what she would feel when he broke her heart. I told him to turn his eyes to the damsel in distress that he saved." Kallen said as she stared forward, feeling nothing but numbness. "Was it not always like that? The prince will always marry the damsel in distress that he saved then they'll live happily ever after."

"So you posted as a martyr then." CC said in a voice so blank that it sounded more sarcastic than she intended it to be.

"It was only when he was formally courting Shirley that I realized that I was scared,"

"Of him?"

"No. I was never scared of that wimp." Kallen stood and approached the cherry blossom tree. She looked as if she was perfectly blending in the scene and was standing out of it at the same time "I realized that I was scared of the fact that the little freedom I have would be further robbed away from me."

CC sighed visibly to announce to Kallen that she was through with everything and was, for the time being, giving up. The witch stood up and nodded to Kallen and was about to leave when Kallen said some more things that made her stop and turn. "Give Naoto my hello, dear sister."

"I will." CC said as she watched as a smile so little passed through Kallen's lips. "Anything else?"

"Why did you marry my brother again?"

"You know why Kallen." CC said to her sister-in-law. "I made a bargain with the three of them, a bargain to break my immortality and he was the only one to gain success in it, it's just that he made me fall in love with him in the process."

"I'm glad of that. Thank you CC-neesan."

"What?" CC said in a bit of surprise as she was opening the shoji door out of the room they were currently residing in. "What did you just said?"

"If you didn't hear it just forget it. Do please lock the door and the gate on your way out." Kallen said with a dismissive wave as CC shut the door, but it never escaped her that CC did said her welcome as well. And again she was left alone in her sanctuary to mope around her current problems and try not to regret them. She never thought of many things about Lelouch's relationship to her and now she was wondering if shoving Lelouch away would be an action she will forever regret.

She found out that she didn't.

For some reason, she did not know why.

LINEBREAK

It was for some unknown reason that Lelouch vi Britannia felt compelled to go somewhere peace and quiet and somewhere where he could think and be alone. His mind was jumbled about dreams that were supposed to be long gone and he was determined to clear his mind somehow. He immediately rummaged his room for any clues and keys of possible hiding places for the day. Most of his keys were of the Black Knights' safe houses and meeting areas and as he looked at each one he came across one that he was sure would be some place he should avoid. Such place held too many memories for his mind and would only make his mind more jumbled than it had.

Yet, he found himself travelling to that very place.

It was locked as always and he found himself opening the gate and stepping in. such place seemed isolated t the world because it always was where things grew when it should not and where time favors its inhabitants. He immediately saw the lone cherry blossom tree in full bloom and he wondered how long it was before he was last here. About six years it was as well. He sighed as he wondered if the place was closed even though the garden was well maintained, so instead of going through the door he went around the house seeing what changed after the six years that he was gone. He looked at the garden seeing the tall trees that gave shade to the place and he remembered how Sayako was the one to maintain the place before and how she loved the place. He felt his body relax, as well as his mind as he looked at all the green and the blue. It was peaceful. It was quiet. He could think clearly. He was alone.

He was quite wrong in the last statement.

He heard sounds depicting movement somewhere in the place and just by observing he could figure out that someone had already took the place as their citadel against sorrow or anything that defies peace. He could only deduce from the picked members of the Black Knights inner circle who might be having such a time alone.

It would not be Ohgi for he would be busy with his Prime Minister duties as well as Tamaki, since the latter was his assistant, and he could always have the sanctity of his family and home if he needs some time to rest. Ohgi and Tamaki would be the ones who would be the most seldom visitors of the place.

Yet when he discovered that the sounds came from the dojo of the place made him deduce more easily.

It would never be Lakshata or Louise or Lloyd and Cecille for that matter. There would only be more or less three to four persons who would settle in this place just to vent out their frustrations in practicing their fighting. It would either be Tohdoh, Suzaku, CC or Kallen. The latter two would be the best options since they are the ones nearest to the location unless Suzaku decided to not accompany Euphie from her errands to the hospitals and medical federations today or if they finished early and if Tohdoh would decide to visit early with [Chiba?] and their kid for the party that the Royal Family would be heralding. Having the two males off as options he could only focus which of the two lone female 'Ring Five' would be the one he would be intruding.

CC or Kallen would either be meditating or would be plain lazy if they're in the mood or they would be practicing their swords or gunning, two basic things needed to be learned when you are to be a Black Knight. And with the sounds coming from the dojo he could perceive the sounds of a slashing sword to the wind and he could only wonder who of the two it would be, well until he found out that when he walked around the dojo to just see the doors wide open. A swish of red welcomed his presence.

So it was Kallen after all.

Somehow he was relieved and curious about seeing her there however it was that the lady did bought the place. She was fighting an imaginary opponent using her katana, something that was passed between her and Suzaku. Her very katana was like her Guren and herself; deadly. Thought by skill, Suzaku and himself were better than the two ladies but combined with stratagem they do lose to them, but nobody wins against Naoto whose expertise were of many fields of blades.

Speaking of which, he was surprised to see Kallen blindfolded and he was amazed how she moved fluidly and evenly however it may seem that darkness had already taken dominion. He could only watch and wonder. Until his mind wandered too far and a plan came to his head. Unsheathing his own sword he approached, a smirk taking its rightful place on his lips.

Kallen was taken aback when in one swish of her katana, it met another metal making a resounding clang; her mind came running light years. Who would come to this place in such a time? All her senses heightened as her grip tightened and her stance came more determined. Her adrenaline came rushing and she never felt more alive, she could not help smirking at whoever her opponent could be. CC would never return for just a match, she was sure about it, so it would only mean a few persons depending on what kind of sword he is using. She charged with a glee that radiated in her very being. Blow after blow, her mind raced and her senses analyzed, her mind was imagining who it might be. She analyzed everything, from stance to the sounds around her as well as the kind of responses her blows receive. She charged unforgiving and could not stop the way such fighting could do to herself, such happiness and glee. She determined one thing; this man could either be her brother or Lelouch, whoever it is she could only determine that she isn't fighting a katana. Another question: why would Lelouch come here of all the places? She got no idea.

Parries, dodges and blocks were what saved her opponent from her charges and she could only wait and be shocked when the situation turned around. She must not let any opening she could not afford any lost. She even barely dodged a hit near her shoulder and could only retreat a few aces back and risk all in just one attack. She charged with every intention to point her sword on her opponent's throat. In a flash, she succeeded and failed all the same.

'If someone would barge in right now, they'll think of us as lovers rather than unlikely sparring partners.' Lelouch thought with an inward chuckle. He wasn't a little bit surprised at Kallen's fierceness and unforgiving attitude as well as the result of the spar most came to such conclusions anyway. A little movement from either of them would assure whoever it was who moved some wound or meeting the other's blade. They were so close that Lelouch was not focusing on the blade that was on his neck but on every lock of red hair that was in his immediate view. Kallen's blade was on his throat as she held it by backhand as his blade was held by her nape as his arm settled by her left shoulder. Their arms form an unlikely x and he could only smirk at the silence. "Lelouch."

"Such harshness Q-1." She heard him confirm her statement. She needed no confirmation, her brother never smelled like rain and of the forest. Then she felt him shift his blade, his elbow settling on her shoulder and the blade taking a vertical direction, now pointed on her spine then he closed the gap between them. She could do nothing but shift her blade as well so that it would not touch his throat, it didn't mean though that she removed it from its position just shifted it to accommodate his movements. The smell of rain and of the forest engulfed her more and however much that she wanted to kill him at the moment, she cannot. "Such fierceness for a frail princess."

"Such words from a wimp," She retorted back as she felt his other arm settle on her other side and his hands untying the knot of her blindfold. Soon enough, she unfurled her eyelids and his smirking face invaded her view. His situation like the last time she saw him, when they were on that 'blind date' which they played along. "A broken hearted wimp."

She knew it hit a spot, as his eyes hardened to solid amethysts and his face came blank. He remained in his position, unmoving, making her stagnant in her position enclosed in his arms as well. The said wedding of Shirley Fenette and Christopher Radnor, earl of Yorkshire was a week ago, however it is that she could only comfort the lady at her fate only on her wedding day Kallen knew that she would be fine. Shirley got Milly and Nina as well as her family to support her at every step of the way. On the other hand, Kallen do not know how to comfort a male heart ripped apart by a third party and she could only wonder what Lelouch could be feeling. This is Lelouch. He has an expertise in making masks like her and CC in about his whole life. That's how each of them live, through facades unless one can break such. "I'm sorry… I know you love her."

"Her mother said that they do not want any memory of war to cling on her. They wanted to erase as much memories as possible of the war that robbed them their father. I was like the poster of it." Lelouch started to mumble to her ear in an unfeeling tone. "I can't believe myself falling for her like you said when you pushed me away."

"Six years is a long time." Kallen could only say as she felt his body shift and she must accommodate as well. Flipping her katana so that the dull side touched his neck as he pulled her closer, she let it slide as she wrapped her arms around him in comfort. They were hugging each other now, until she heard a clang as she knew that the sword was on the floor. His hands came down to her sides until it settled to her hips and squeezed them in his thanks. Then he pulled her closer, his head settling on the crook of her neck. "If I have known…"

"If is a big word Kallen." He said in a strangled whisper. Kallen can feel the guilt coursing through herself and she could only listen and think. "I don't blame you though. I know you just did something you must."

"If…" she said, not believing his latter statement. "I can't say 'next time' Lelouch I try to never make the same mistake!

"Let me stay here then, just for a few moments." he said. She on the other hand can only do nothing but nod. He held her there in his arms and she didn't even know what was happening in his mind, she heard no sobs or cries just silence. She could only wonder what was worse, Shirley's marriage or Nunnally's false death. She could only wonder as they stood in that dojo with him in her arms without a clue of how to comfort him. "How funny this is, me running to you when you were the one to push me away. Have your heart softened to admit that you love me?"

"All that love…" Kallen wondered loudly as she knew that such statement was a façade to show her that he's okay and at the same time was a true inquiry. "Six years made it dissipate to friendship and responsibility to a superior… I think."

"Ah…" he released her and his eyes were like molten amethyst as they met her gaze. "Thank you for such comfort Q-1."

"Is that what you seek when you came here?" Kallen said inwardly chastising herself for sounding poetic. Lelouch just gave her a small smile and she could only sigh at his evasiveness. "If you're staying better prepare some tea for us then."

"Thank you Kallen."

"No! I mean you prepare it, idiot!" his laughter echoed in that dojo like it was some hollow rumble of the seas.

Author's notes:

So the blind date was like a play along that Kallen and Lelouch did just for fun though it seemed stupid when I think of it now. They did such thing to satisfy both parties that set up them in some way.

I married CC to Naoto since it's a nice thing for her to be Kallen's sister-in-law. Thank goodness this is AU.

Reviews and Comments and Feedbacks are greatly appreciated. Flames are welcome as well I think I am numb enough for that.

Please I do need some help in my grammar (that's my weakest point) so please whoever is willing you have my deepest and most heartfelt gratitude.

Till the next chapter then.