Clash of Cold Hearts – 4
Chapter 4 was kind of hard to write, it's difficult do describe the character development I tried to make here. Anyway don't be afraid of telling me your opinion. It won't offend me if you tell me this chapter sucked ;)
R&R
TamayoKizaki: I'm glad you liked it ;) thx fort the review.
GarP.OmE.HoLloW: Thx for your review!
Ominae: Thx again for pointing out that spelling mistake, don't worry I'm rather happy than offended by your humble advices ;)
Clash of Cold Hearts – 4
Cornelia was sitting at her desk, reading the reports of the battle of Narita. She had to admit that Zero really gave her a heavy blow. She had to be prepared for the next battle. She would restore her damaged reputation.
She looked at her watch; it already was time for the funeral of her men. She left her desk to go into her personal quarters to change into her black funeral uniform. She had lost some really good soldiers in this battle.
She looked at herself in the mirror. Seeing the black colour of her uniform she remembered something, or rather someone. The days after the battle were like hell to her. Wherever she would look, it would remind her of Lelouch. Just thinking about him would return this melancholic feeling inside of her heart.
She looked at the mirror again, suddenly an idea flashing through her mind. With that idea in mind she began to make her last preparations for the funeral.
…
The ceremony hall on the graveyard was filled with people, most of them were Britannians. The wives and children of the fallen soldiers, they were filling the great hall. Some of them were openly crying, mourning the loss of a loved person.
Cornelia always hated these kinds of ceremonies; she didn't hate them because she hated emotional people. She hated them because as a commander she always felt responsible of all the losses there were in a battle. She couldn't stand it to see the little children cry about the loss of a beloved parent. It really was hard for her to control herself in these kinds of situations.
There were many political figures, stating their sadness and grieve about so many deaths. But Cornelia knew that they were only making a show for the media. She really despised people like that.
After some time it finally was her turn to hold a speech to all the indirect victims of the battle.
She really was nervous deep inside, but on the outside she remained hard and controlled. She wouldn't let anybody see how troubled she was.
"All of you here have lost someone close to you. They were taken way from you in an instant. I know that my words can't heal your deep wounds inside your hearts, but I have one thing I want to tell all of you. All of the soldiers that died in this battle, they died with honour. An honour that nobody can take away from them! They died, while they protected what was most precious to them. They died carrying out their duty.
I want you all to know that these men earned themselves my respect. And I want you all to respect their sacrifice as well. Let them get the glory they earned themselves with their selfless act!"
Cornelia's speech was as short as always, but many of the attendants seemed to be thinking deeply. Some of them even had faint smiles on their faces; feeling encouraged by Cornelia's words. At least they knew that their beloved people died with honour.
…
The funeral ceremony lasted a few more hours. Cornelia was really exhausted after all of this trouble. She could fight a battle without even sweating, but politics always troubled her to no end. She just wanted to sleep right now, but fate had other plans for her. It knocked at the door of her private quarters.
"It's me, Guilford"
"Come in, it's open"
The door opened, to reveal a firm standing Guilford. This man could be a real pain sometimes. He always seemed to be too formal and obedient. It was no fun to talk to him at all. But never the less she knew that he was dependable and skilful.
"You can come in Guilford. You don't have to stand there all day."
"Yes, your Highness"
He finally walked into the room. A folder was in his right hand, there was a red "top secret" sign on it.
"I have the information you desired to get. I will lay them down on your desks. Is there something else you want me to do, your Highness?"
She really couldn't stand this man's attitude. But at least he got the information she needed.
"No, you can go and relax a bit, Guilford."
"As you wish, your Highness." And with that he left.
Cornelia locked her eyes on the folder that lay on her desk. A creepy smile forming on her face, she couldn't stop thinking about all the fun she would get from this little folder.
…
It was a really nice day, when the Ashford academy was holding its school festival. The schoolyard was full with shops and attractions. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Even a certain woman with purple hair was in a good mood. She wore the Ashford school uniform; her sister had organized it for her. She even changed her hairstyle into a ponytail and wore fake glasses to conceal herself from the masses.
I really can't wait to see his surprised look. Hehehe……I just have to find him and then I will have my sweet time with him.
She again started to snicker. It was all going to be so much fun if her plan worked. She even asked her sister to get his cell phone number from Suzaku. The plan to pay him back was perfect, today he would suffer. Definitely!
Walking around aimlessly on the campus, she noticed the strange green-haired women from the Narita battle. She looked totally passive, like the world around her didn't matter at all. After a short hesitation Cornelia decided to approach the woman.
"Hey, what's your name?" It was really difficult for Cornelia to speak with a normal voice. She was just too used to bark orders all day. But she hoped that she somehow managed to fool the green haired woman.
"It's C.C., Cornelia" She answered Cornelia with a smile. Her yellow eyes boring deep into her purple ones.
"What do you want here? I hope you don't intend to hurt Lelouch. Otherwise I can't just let you walk away."
This woman saw right trough me. She must be really sharp to reveal my identity as easy as that, or I just disguised myself really bad…… It definitely has to be her sharp mind.
"It seems like I can't fool you this easy. To answer your question, I am just here to have a little payback-time with Lelouch, but don't worry, I'm not going to kill him."
C.C. seemed to like the idea. You could clearly see how the life returned to her eyes. With a small smile on her face she said, "Don't let him get away too easy, he really needs a lesson from time to time."
"Don't worry; I will make sure that he suffers a bit. By the way, do you know where he is right now?"
"I don't know for sure, but he should be at the organization-centre right now."
"Thanks and goodbye, I hope that we won't meet on the battlefield again."
"Goodbye" was the only word C.C. said before Cornelia left the area to find the headquarters of this event.
…
All the pieces of her plan were in position. There was no way that it would fail. She pulled out her cell phone and dialled a certain number, of a certain individual.
"Hello, Lelouch here"
"Don't you mean "Zero here"?"
It was like she could feel how hard his brain was working to find out how she could know this.
"Who are you?"
Oh, she would really enjoy this. She was already starting to get really exited. Her whole body feeling energized. It was a long time ago since she had this much fun.
"It doesn't matter who I am, Lelouch de Britannia. I want you to meet me at the school council's hall in 5 minutes."
"Are you insane?! It's impossible to get there in five minutes!"
She couldn't hold back her smile anymore. She would make him suffer today, this thought alone gave her a feeling of satisfaction. The thought of humiliating the great Zero, leader of the black knights, was just like a dream to her.
"Yeah, you are right. I should just reveal you secret to the whole world."
"No! I will be there, just don't make something hasty."
She hang up, satisfied with the first phase of her plan. She took her binoculars and started to observe her most favourite victim. He was running like shinigami himself was chasing him. She knew that he wasn't really athletic, so she decided to let him have a little workout. When he had only run the first half of the way, he already looked like he would collapse any second. But somehow he managed to reach the student council's room. Just to find a empty hall, with not even a single person there. Cornelia took her sweet little time dialling his number again.
"Where 'pant' are you? You are 'pant' not here are you?"
"As cunning as always. And no, I'm not there. I just wanted to test your trustworthiness."
"That comes 'pant' a little bit 'pant' late."
"Just come to the depot behind the school. This time I will be there, I promise. Ah, I forgot to tell you, you have 5 minutes. See you!"
She hung up again and took her binoculars. The enjoyment she got from this could be clearly seen on her face. When she saw his running and hard panting form approach the warehouse she was in, she stood up and walked into the direction of the entrance, wanting to welcome her soon to be visitor. She put away her galsses and opened her ponytail, so that her long purple hair was flowing freely down her back.
The door to the warehouse opened, only to reveal a finished Lelouch. You could see that this stamina exercise strained his body. He was leaning against the wall, still panting hard. With closed eyes he waited for his mysterious blackmailer to appear.
"You know that you needed six minutes?" Cornelia tried to tease him with his loss, but he didn't respond.
"Are you going deaf now? I want to get an answer if I ask somothing."
"You sure know how to play dirty, Cornelia."
She wasn't really surprised about the fact that he could read her so easy. He wasn't Zero for nothing. Something like this should be child's play for him.
"How long did you know it was me?"
"Disguising isn't really one of your strong points. I noticed you were here when I first saw you on a security camera. It's not really that hard to see your purple hair."
Cornelia somehow seemed frustrated. Worst of all he was right; she was really bad at disguising. He just played with her all this time, while she thought that she was playing with him.
"Intelligent bastard." She murmured under her breath. It was spoken in a low voice, but against all odds Lelouch seemed to have heard it.
"Oh my, I feel honoured to be praised by you."
"Shut up! I'm not in the mood to hear your constant whining." Yes, Cornelia was in a bad mood now. Her perfect plan failed and Lelouch dared it to rub it into her face. He would pay for that, he definitely would!
So she tried something different. She walked over to him, slowly, daring him to run away. When she was only a few inches away from him she did something that he would never suspect her to do. She gave him a kiss on his cheek.
Lelouch just looked at her with wide eyes. Shock was clearly written on his face. Soon the shock on his face faded, just to be replaced by a different emotion. His face flushed bright red.
"What…..why…..did you…..what the hell was that for?!"
"Ohhhhh, is our little Lelouch embarrassed by something as small as a kiss on the cheek?"
She couldn't help but laugh. He just looked so stupid right now. Her guess was totally right, he was really inexperienced in the field of love. Well, she wasn't all that experienced either, but she could hide it much better than he did.
He felt even more embarrassed when she started to laugh. How could she break his defence this easily? It was a miracle in his opinion; though he really liked the feeling.
"I hope you didn't just chase me through all the campus just to kiss me on the cheek."
Cornelia stopped in her laughter, thinking about her original reason why she wanted to talk to him. There wasn't a chance to talk to him after the battle of Narita. They were always too occupied with capturing each other when they were in battle.
"Lelouch, why don't you stop this nonsense about changing the world and come with me back to Britannia?"
"You know I can't do that."
Cornelia had expected nothing else as answer. Of course he wouldn't give up his goal so easy. She had to try more than that.
"Why do you even fight in the first place?"
"I thought I already told you that, Cornelia. I want to change the world into something new, an ideal world without discrimination and war."
"You know that you can't create a world like this. Humans will always stay human. There will always be conflicts as long as there are humans."
She could see how his face saddened. Deep down he knew that his dream was foolish, but he was desperate. He wanted to change the world into a better place. He witnessed so many cruel and painful things in his life that he just can't stand to see any more of it.
"I know, Cornelia. But the world just can't stay like this. Someone has to do something and I will be the one who will sacrifice himself for a better world."
"Do you think everybody will be happy when you have sacrificed yourself?!"
Cornelia was angered. The thought of Lelouch sacrificing himself made her blood boil. She would never let him do such a thing; after all she…loved him?
How can he even think of about such a ludicrous idea? I think I will have to slap some sense into him! After all I …I… Cornelia, get a grip! After all… I love him.
"Yes, I think that everyone will live a cheerful life. Nannaly will live in peace and you don't have to fight in wars anymore. It will be a perfect world."
"No, without you it's not perfect." It was only a low whisper, but Lelouch heard it.
Lelouch looked kind of confused. He didn't expect an answer like this. He looked at Cornelia, only to see her sad face. Never before had he seen her so vulnerable. It stung in his heart to just see her in this condition.
"I'm sorry, I have to go now." Cornelia turned around suddenly and walked away, towards the back exit. Lelouch just stared at her back, wondering what he should do. He wanted to run after Cornelia, but he knew that had no choice. If he wanted to change the world, he would have to kill his emotions, his soul and his heart. It was the path he chose to walk.
...
The rest of the festival was rather spectacular. Euphemia held a speech in which she founded the SAZ. A special zone for elevens; in this zone they would get their old rights back and they would be treated fairly. Most of the elevens were overjoyed from the idea of equality in this special zone. But there was one person who wasn't enjoying the way things were heading.
...
It was a cold night, with a pitch black sky. There was no star able to reach trough the thick wall of clouds.
Cornelia sat on her balcony. She wore her usual attire; her red uniform with a bit of yellow and her white majestic cape. Tomorrow the foundation of the SAZ would be officially made.
She wondered what Lelouch had in plan for tomorrow…