Chapter 3

When the door to his cell opened up this time, Suzaku didn't even bother to look up. His life for the past two weeks had reached a point of being restlessly mundane and he no longer felt the need to wonder about his fate.

Except for some nameless guard delivering his meals and taking away the dishes twice a day, he had been left totally alone.

Totally.

Alone.

Even with his most hardening training, the loneliness and lack of human contact was beginning to get to him. He knew that all humans, even trained soldiers, needed some semblance of human contact, or there would be a point, where the delicate structure that was the human psyche, would start to collapse.

He also knew, that he himself would soon be reaching, that same exact point…

Suzaku had already made up his mind after his last "meeting" with the infamous leader of the Black Knights, that he could not risk another attempt at trying to escape. He knew that if he was caught, there was a good chance that he would most likely be beaten to death by that man's subordinates, who were obviously quite eager to get a chance at spilling his blood. He could understand their hatred however.

Unlike the Britannian military, the Black Knights were not loyal to their leader out of fear or because of a hierarchy of rank. They truly believed in him, and would do anything for him, even if it meant giving up their own lives for their dark commander-in-chief. Knowing this, it was quite understandable that they would hate anyone who they viewed would be a threat to him, and Suzaku knew he could definitely be counted as a "threat".

If they caught him escaping again—which was more than likely, since he had already exhausted most of his options—there wouldn't be anyone to stop them from beating or shooting him to death. And while he was still quite strong, he was not able-bodied enough to take on a mob. However, despite how little he valued his own life, dying right now, was not an option.

"If you die, so does your dearest friend."

Zero's warning still rang loud and clear within his head, and even the naive depths of Suzaku's mind gave a cry of defeat as he knew Zero's threat was no mere bluff. Had Lelouch not been involved, Suzaku would have raged against his proverbial chains until they were broken, or until his lungs had seen their last breath. But, as is the cruelty of this world, it was more than the life of an Eleven soldier that demanded his obedience.

He refused to let another person he held close, die by his hand, whether it was directly, or through indirect means. Therefore, that meant no more suicidal plans or attempts to escape.

And so, day after day, he would bide his time by doing whatever his mind could think of. He'd count floor tiles, ceiling squares, even linen fibers in an effort to keep himself occupied. The food and water they gave him was only enough to sustain his life…nothing more, nothing less. He was still weak from his healing injuries, but his daily walking exercise kept his muscles from turning completely to jelly. However, he could feel the effects, both physical and psychological on his being. With no one to talk to, he had stayed alone with his thoughts, thinking he could play Zero's isolation game, but time was calling his bluff.

It seemed the masked man would soon, once again be the victor…

And so, Suzaku had gotten so used to the routine routine of the day to day life of a prisoner, that he hardly looked up as the door to his cell creaked open.

"Kururugi Suzaku"

It wasn't spoken as a question, simply a factual statement. The voice that had shattered his monotonous silence, was devoid of any type of emotion or feeling whatsoever, as if nothing at all seemed to matter.

The scruffy-haired prisoner turned to look at the speaker, and was slightly surprised to see a young teenage boy standing in the open doorway, looking down at him with detached amethyst eyes that were so lifeless and cold, that they might as well have been made out of stone.

He's only a kid, at least two years younger than me and, Zero already has him caught within his net. Suzaku thought, noting the boy's OBK uniform.

When the brown-haired boy was sure that he had gotten the Britannian soldier's attention, he continued in that dreary voice that seemed to belay his age. "Zero-sama has sent for you. You are to follow me."

He contemplated on whether or not he should comply, or just be stubborn and see what the boy would do.

However, as if knowing his thoughts, the kid leisurely blinked and spoke again with that same impassive voice, "It matters not to me, whether or not you leave this room. However, within the next fifteen minutes, this area of the building will be incinerated and collapse to the ground. If you wish not to be part of the wreckage, I suggest you do as you are told."

Surprised by his statement, Suzaku made a quick decision that maybe, it would be wiser and more tactical to actually cooperate with the demand this time around.

Walking behind the dead-eyed kid, he found himself in a sea of noise as he left the soundproof environment of his cell. The sounds of rushing feet, fast moving equipment, barked orders, and the beeps and squawks of technology, pervaded the compound's surroundings. He recognized the meaning of the noise immediately; it was the same whether it was the military forces of Britannia, or the guerilla militia of the Black Knights.

"They're moving out…" Suzaku whispered to himself, "Why?"

The boy answered him nonchalantly, "Zero has given the order. That is all that need be known."

His mouth set in a grim line at the sound of the masked lunatic's name, but he refrained from saying anything that he might later regret. Instead he asked another, less testy, question.

"What does Zero want with me now?"

The other male's response was immediate, "I do not know the answer to that question, I am just doing as ordered."

Suzaku rolled his eyes in exasperation; this guy was beginning to sound like a broken record…

"Do you ever do anything, other than what you're ordered?"

The purple eyes flickered back at him over a tense shoulder, "Do you?"

The kid had a point, and Suzaku had to admit that he had underestimated the male's maturity and understanding. He, being a soldier, knew that there was a time to ask questions and there was a time to simply follow orders. However, the times for questions were few and far between, while orders were given and obeyed every second of every day. Wasn't it orders that had gotten him to this point? Sure he had made some of his own choices here and there, but wasn't it orders that had pushed him to having to make those choices?

However, there was also a time for instinct and opportunity, and he knew that amidst all this ruckus, it was his best chance to escape from out of the hands of the Order of the Black Knights and their hellish captain…

Turning down a secluded pathway, the ex-Knighmare pilot made his move as swiftly and efficiently as any trained army commando would have.

Promptly grabbing the pistol from the boy's side holster, he spun the kid around by his shoulder before kneeing him the stomach causing him to double over. Then thrusting him up against the wall with one hand and pushing the gun's barrel against the boy's neck, effectively clicking the first safety catch off. Suzaku couldn't help by smile a little, the whole maneuver took less than seven seconds and already the tides had turned to his favor.

"Now I don't know who you are, or why you decided to join these terrorists, but from now on, you're with me, and you're going to help me get out of here."

The adolescent didn't even bat an eye, "I'm sorry, but that is impossible."

The brown-haired pilot gritted his teeth, why did the kid have to be so stubborn? He didn't want to actually have to hurt him…

Yet, he pressed the gun barrel harder into the boy's flesh. "And why is that?"

CLICK…

Suzaku hadn't even had time to blink, before he found the boy gone from his grip and the stolen weapon vanished from his hand! He efficiently found the rolls reversed as the same gun he had used on his captor, was now being pushed into the side of his head, the second safety catch being pulled back loudly.

That same tedious, detached voice spoke once again, this time from behind him. "It is impossible because Zero-sama has ordered otherwise."

Still not understanding what just happened, he raised his hands in surrender, knowing that the boy would not lower his guard again, if he ever had in the first place.

His escort grabbed his arm, and kept the barrel trained on him, lowering the sights from his head to his back. Pushing him on, the two continued their way down the deserted path.

After a couple minutes, Suzaku was finally able to speak once again. "You have phenomenal reflexes."

The boy glanced at him for a second before answering, "Thank you."

Continuing on in silence, it was a good five minutes before they came to a set of large black double doors. Talking into a com link attached to his wrist, the boy announced their arrival, which was soon followed by the doors sliding open, allowing them entrance.

Suzaku felt the new atmosphere instantly surround him, as if it was some type of physical essence, spilling out from the darkness of the room's confines. It was honestly a hard decision on which was more deadly—the press of cold steel into his back, or the ominous ambiance in the chamber ahead.

However, he hardly had a choice in the matter either. Taking the final step into the room, he felt the kid soldier's grip loosen as the door closed. The boy walked away into the shadows and could hardly be detected by an untrained eye. But he didn't have to see the gun to know that it was firmly trained in on his chest. If he did so much as blink wrong, he would find himself very quickly falling onto the floor in a pool of his own blood, with a hole the size of his fist coming from out of his back.

"I'm glad to see you are starting to learn how to cooperate."

Turning around at the sound of the cold, authoritative voice that he now knew better than the back of his own hand, he sneered into the darkness. "So what is it that you want this time?"

From out of the shadows, the most wanted man in the entire Britannian Empire, walked towards him. Dressed in the color of night, even an uncivilized and uncultured person would have to say that, the man cut the very essence of nobility and influence.

But with the look of aristocracy and grace, also came the sense of haunting mystique and trepidation. And anyone who dared to take on this forbidding symbol of the rebellion had better be ready to be in a fight for one's life. Because that was the stakes one became involved with, when they took on the infamous masked persona—Zero.

"My, my, you are an impatient one."

Walking past him in structured nonchalance, Zero sat down behind a large desk, a computer screen coming on before him. He seemed in perfect peace, despite the sounds to destruction and shouting voices that were filtering through the room's walls ever so slightly. Well, if this gilded viper could be so detached, that he could be the same. Suzaku decided against answering the man's sardonic remark. He was tired of playing into the man's hands…

After a minute Zero spoke again, "I am sure you have noticed by now that we are in the midst of changing the location of our central base. Some things have come up and I have had to move my plans forward much sooner than I had first intended."

Suzaku let the venom drip from his voice, "And what pray tell, does that have to do with me?"

The black caped leader, barely even registered that he had spoken, much less cared about his poison-laden formal speech. He continued to go through his computer files as if the man hadn't uttered a word.

"Other than that incident a few minutes ago, you obeyed my orders to the letter. You, of course will have to be punished for the insubordinate act you committed against the lieutenant here, however, I do believe that you may be ready for your first full-fledged task, since it seems that you are—willing—to obey my orders."

Suzaku felt his stomach twist with nauseous, simmering hatred as he was constantly, purposefully reminded that he had forcibly submitted to this monster. "I only obey your orders because you threaten the innocent with pain and death. Make no mistake, you will never have my loyalty, and nothing you do to me or mine will ever change that. You have brainwashed so many into doing your dirty work, into becoming your slaves. But I tell you now—I will never belong to you!"

Behind his incomparable dark visage, Zero let a predatory grin crawl slowly upon his face. Kururugi was turning out to be the exact delightful challenge that he expected him to be. This was going to be truly interesting…

Despite his stoked interest, the leader of the Black Knights once again ignored the POW ex-pilot's venomous declaration, and instead continued with his selfsame blasé bearing. His voice, even at times, slightly tinged with derision.

"It seems to me, that it would make no sense starting you off, by burdening you with large 'conscience-racking' responsibilities, it would be much better to start small. Wouldn't you say?"

Suzaku could only let the anger simmer through him in response to the leader's snide tone, even though he was sure that the piercing eyes that he was sure laid behind that infernal mask, were amused by his rage.

The man's voice however betrayed none of it, as he was as dispassionate as before. "It seems I am in need of a valet, and you seem to fit the bill quite nicely."

The former pilot had to do a double take. He couldn't have heard right. The man surely didn't mean for him to become…his manservant! "Forget it! That's not fair, there is no way—"

"One, this is an order, not a request. And since you committed yourself to obeying my orders, I suggest you start getting into the practice. And two, I don't think you want to truly defy me, do you? It is not quite the safest thing to do. Many people can end up hurt that way…some more meaningful than others."

Suzaku's mouth snapped shut in anger, while his jaw set firmly in a simmering, but silent, show of defiance. How could anyone use the same tone of voice that they used to order pizza, to threaten the lives of the guiltless? The leader of the Black Knights seemed to be able to pull it off nicely. He could almost feel Zero's smirk as the masked man leaned his head against his fisted hand.

"You claim that you have always had such a sense of right and wrong, of black and white." Zero softly laughed, amused. "How noble, idealogic, and utterly naive of you… Who are you to know who is innocent and who is guilty?"

"Do you not do the same?!" Suzaku snapped back, the rage, linked with his strained psyche, was pushing the Japanese boy to the breaking point.

Zero looked over at him in question, "No, I don't think I have ever claimed to be a god."

His eyes flew up in shock at the accusation, the indignation of his voice reducing him to stutters. "T-That's not fair!"

Zero sighed and began to redirect his interest back to the computer screen, his voice once more becoming dispassionate and disinterested. "You say that so often. I wonder what your basis for comparison is…"

That was IT! Suzaku leaped forward toward the desk, ready to put his hands around the man's throat and squeeze as hard as his could! He had never tried hand-to-hand combat against the fiend, but even now he was game to try if it meant that he would get a chance to break to this bane of humanity's neck! At least then he could wipe that in apathy right off his masked face!

For the sake Kururugi's ego, Zero at least slightly raised an eyebrow at the ex-Britannian officer's attack. However, in all, his demeanor never changed, which sparked Suzaku's anger even more.

The young teen was about to snatch at the lapels of the infernal demon prince's garments, but he soon found his legs kicked out from under him, and himself thrown on his stomach to the floor! The sweet kiss of a knife's blade was laid against his throat, the point drawing a single bead of crimson blood.

His hands were quickly and firmly held behind his back, and a firm and painful pressure of a heeled army boot, was placed upon his back. Looking over as far as the sharp metal would allow, Suzaku gritted his teeth as he saw that it was the lavender-eyed, emotionless escort that had derailed him. His hold of the knife was solid, and his foot was firmly on his prisoner's back, holding him down.

For a couple seconds, the room was completely silent, except for the steady clickity-clacking of Zero's graceful fingers.

When he spoke again, he seemed almost amused by the male's actions. But even a four year-old child would know that there was deadly steel buried behind that seemingly benign amusement…

"For a person with such high morals, you have quite a death wish. I would take better care of my life if I were you."

Suzaku jerked his head up as far as the escort would allow, he let forth a vicious growl. "Screw you…"

It was then that the automatic doors to the chamber shifted open; four armed guards carrying the Knights' insignia entered, and surrounded the restrained prisoner. The lavender-eyed boy, hauled him roughly to his feet, keeping the knife at his throat and his wrists secure while one of the guards handcuffed him. Another guard put manacles around Suzaku's ankles, the chains allowing him enough room in which walk, but not to run.

As Zero watched the captive ex-soldier from the corner of his eye, he smirked at the fact that though the boy was bound, his spirit was quite far from broken. He had watched Suzaku grow considerably more withdrawn as he spent day upon day, alone in his cell, cut off from all human contact. He would have wished to leave him in there for another month longer, but alas the enemy was moving, and by default, so would he. However, everything would still go according to plan. Kururugi Suzaku completely and utterly trapped in his silent, but uncompromising web. He had nowhere to go, nowhere to run, and if he even tried to hide, the dark prince would be unforgiving in his castigation. He let a simpering countenance come over his natural features, as he recalled Suzaku's declaration from only a few minutes ago.

…I tell you now—I will never belong to you!

Never a more false statement had ever been uttered. The young solider just didn't know it yet…

"When we complete our relocation process, I will then clarify to you the specific parameters of your duties, as well as the location of your new quarters."

The Japanese male ground his teeth in anger, before spitting on the floor in defiance. "Don't do me any favors."

The russet haired ice block of an escort, did a sudden, perfect spin kick so hard against his abdomen, that Suzaku didn't have time to hold back the gasp of pain as he doubled over, the wind knocked out of him. A loud resounding crack issued through the air as two of his ribs snapped under the kick's force.

He expected Zero to chastise the boy for acting out of line as he had with his other knights the previous time, but instead, the masked leader seemed to completely ignore the escort, and only looked up to the guards that had surrounded him.

"Take him to holding chamber three, no one is to touch him, unless he resists. Do you understand? No one."

Suzaku perfectly understood, as he tried to get the reverberating agony of his broken bones under control. "No one" included medical staff, meaning that he had a very painful journey ahead of him.

As the armed men answered in acquiescence, Suzaku leveled his gaze at his masked nemesis. He might not be able to see the other's eyes, but he could feel their intense gaze. Something had happened this day, the rules of engagement were shifting and his adversary had home field advantage. However, in no terms was he backing down. He would never submit to the man who was his captor. He would take the abuse and the captivity for Lelouch's sake, but he would never relinquish his soul.

The lines had been drawn, now it was a matter of who would back down first…

As the guards took Suzaku away, the door swished closed, leaving the young lieutenant alone with his leader.

"I don't trust him, nii-sama."

Zero barely glanced up from the info that flashed on the computer screen. "You don't trust anyone, Rolo."

The amethyst eyed boy—Rolo Lamperouge—let his hand slowly drift to a small locket charm that hung from the cell phone at his waist, his voice for once, showing the slightest bit of emotion and tenderness. "That is not quite true, nii-sama…"

Putting a hand to his mask, he activated a fingerprint lock that released the catches for the obscure headpiece. "Rest assured, Rolo…I have not misplaced or placed any kind of trust needlessly. You need not worry; Suzaku will dance by my tune or no one else's—that I can assure you."

"How, when he hates the very air you breathe?"

Zero's violet eyes flashed with a balance of self-possession, superciliousness, and intelligence that very few could accomplish in point of fact. "I know him better than anyone, and even if it takes drastic measures, the former-pilot of the Lancelot, will choose the correct side, he will be mine to command, and it will be willingly I might add."

Rolo's mind was full of doubt that such a thing could be accomplished, but he also knew that nii-sama never failed anything he set his complex mind too. If he said that the young Eleven ex-soldier would readily join them, then he would. Rolo knew that for a fact.

A/N:

Well, what do you think? This is my first original chapter and I am a little nervous about it. blush I wanted to say that in reference to Rolo, my version of Rolo is that he is:

1) actually is Lelouch's little half-brother (How that came to be will be explained in later chapters)

2) he never worked for Britannia, and he joined the Black Knights around the same time his brother formed it

3) I hate to disappoint any Rolo/Lulu fans, but Rolo and Zero/Lelouch's relationship is totally platonic. They have extreme loyalty to each other, and Rolo worships his older sibling. He does also care for his sister, Nunnaly.

And 4) Rolo is not as unstable as he was in the original anime. He does have some emotional scars from his abusive childhood, but he does not snap from one extreme to the other. Rolo does have the same geass ability that he does in the anime, but it was given to him by C.C. as a child.

I hope that will help to explain some things. I'll catch you next time. Ciao!

PS: Oh, by the way, I used one of my favorite quotes in here from one of my favorite childhood movies. See if you can find it!