At first I want each knight have their own role that differ from their Vongola counterpart, but eh… this is alternate universe so I decide to just make it the same for three famiglia. Although Arcobaleno just didn't work as one famiglia. As when I try to make rain knight's role, it's not that different from Vongola's rain...

ps: I can't believe I get 14 reviews for last chapter!


Chapter 9: Conflicting Resolution

Spell of silence fell on the room, no one dared to spoke in response that Lelouch Millefiore, the revered leader of Millefiore famiglia had just knighted someone by accident. All because Vongola rain guardian and Rain Arcobaleno misunderstood his intention in regards to Kururugi Suzaku.

It was Yamamoto who break the silence. "But we heard you say it…" Yamamoto trailed off. "The vow."

He waved his hand in negative gesture. "I mean it as purely as it is! Nothing to do with recruiting him to my family!" Lelouch said in frustrated tone. "You're the one who jump to conclusion, now how I suppose to fix this?! You acknowledge him with your signature flame as representative of Vongola and Arcobaleno!"

"Fix what?" Colonello asked with a raised eyebrow, "This boy is that Suzaku, right? Isn't he the first person on top of your mind you want to make your knight?"

Lelouch gritted his teeth, "Yes, he is! But I am going to give him a choice to refuse, now it's looks like I entrap him in this! He didn't even know anything!"

Colonello turned to Suzaku, startling the Japanese boy. "I don't see how it's a problem." Actually he had a feeling this boy would be more trouble than his worth, but Lelouch was not someone who would be deterred once he set his mind on something.

"It's a BIG problem for me Colonello!" Lelouch snapped.

"Well, what you can do about it?" Colonello reminded him, "Unless you want to start making exception to our sacred vow, which will not going well to our people if one of our capo di tutti capi startbreaking rules for his convenience."

Lelouch snarled at that, "I am not going to start doing such sacrilege!"

True, there was a line that even he, Tsuna and Uni as the supreme leaders of Neo-Italy couldn't cross. They were not dictators in spite of unrivalled power and authority they held in Neo-Italy, because unlike the emperor of Britannia there was a set of sacred rules they couldn't break.

Suzaku looked at them back and forth, he wanted to say something as everyone was talking about him as if he is not there. He swallowed and stepped forward to Lelouch's side. "Erm… I am still here, can someone explain what have I gotten myself into?" Suzaku was almost tempted to shout, as Lelouch and his teacher were getting louder in their argument.

Lelouch flushed, "I am sorry Suzaku." The raven haired boy said apologetically. "But in short I accidentally made you one of my knights when I said that vow to you." Suzaku tensed and Lelouch hurriedly amended. "I mean every word of it." Lelouch said with conviction and Suzaku couldn't help but relieved, "But these two misunderstood my intention!"

Relieved that Lelouch mean his word Suzaku started to notice some discrepancies in the conversation. "Wait… you make me your knight? I am an Eleven and not eligible! Beside aren't you… uhm…"

"Disowned?" Seriously, of all things to be considerate of, Suzaku thought he would be offended to be reminded of his status as a banished prince? "Yeah, I am... this have nothing to do with my Britannian heritage. Heck, in official paper my citizenship is not Britannian anymore…" In the real official paper, the fake one he was still a Britannian.

"What?!" Suzaku believed Lelouch would have done that out of spite, but he never thought Lelouch really did it. "So… are we still talking about my part time job as your bodyguard?" If that's the case Lelouch shouldn't make so much fuss.

Yamamoto who was right behind him gaped in shock, "Part time job?!" His tone was incredulous, "No, you're his knight for a lifetime! It's not even a job in the first place!" They didn't get paid for being Tsuna's guardian.

Suzaku blinked owlishly, that sounded awfully alike with the Knight of Honor. "Lelouch, have you become a royalty in another country?" That was unlikely and he waited for Lelouch to laugh at him for the incredulity, much to his confusion Lelouch did not.

"You know what?" Lelouch said in bewildered tone, "Of all three guesses you made, the third, which is the most outrageous one actually the closest."

"What?!" Suzaku sputtered.

Colonello titled his head to the side, "Considering the hierarchy of our government, and that Don in the first place is Italian honorific for a lord and in Sicily it's equal of a king… yeah."

"You're a KING?!" Suzaku stuttered in shock.

"No!" Lelouch denied then stopped, "Uhm… not exactly but close I guess?"

Sound of his door slammed open this time didn't fall on deaf ears this time, as one, they turned their attention the door. Koko, Kasper and their bodyguards were gasping for breath as they went inside in hurry. The door fortunately was large enough for all of them.

"BOSS!" Kasper called jovially, "This call for celebration!" He cheered as if Christmas had come early this year.

"I have the wine over here!" Koko chirped, she and Valmet were carrying a bottle of expensive wine on each arm.

No wonder he didn't hear Koko say anything after she paid homage to Suzaku, it must be when Colonello gave his blessing to Suzaku. Koko was out of his radar at that time.

"Boss, I am going to tell the other! This call for a celebration wohooooo~"

Wohoo my ass.

Kasper fished out his phone, he looked almost as excited as when he was recruited to Lelouch's famiglia. Which was saying something since Kasper while laidback was rarely excited of anything. "So what kind of festival we're going to have in his honor, Boss? Just say the word and…"

Lelouch slammed his palm on his forehead, "There's something else need to be done before the rest of the pomp and festival, don't you think?" Like explaining the misunderstanding, one that had been blown up out of proportion to hell and back. Unfortunately for Lelouch, once again his word was taken differently and not the way he meant it.

"Oh yes! Pardon our rudeness…" Kasper said as he and the rest of their bodyguards sank to their knees to Suzaku, who if it's even possible, became even more confused and flustered. Lelouch noted Tojo was still standing and going to say something but Lutz and R pulled him down to kneel.

Lelouch was about to tell them that was not what he meant but Kasper loudly interrupted with asking, "Erm… what's your flame, Cavaliere?"

Suzaku just blinked at that, and Colonello came to his rescue. "Rain."

Kasper beamed at that before clearing his throat loudly, "Il mio Pioggia, may your rain wash away our conflict. In the name of our honor and pride we pledge our loyalty to you and our sky…"

"That's enough." Lelouch snapped, "Rise!"

They flinched and as one stood, "Si! Il mio Ciello!" They had only been part of his famiglia for three months, but two weeks stay in homeland ingrained the response in them. They couldn't help it as Lelouch could have thousands of men saluting to him that one sentence, Yes, my sky! Stand in the middle of those thousand men and you have that one line etched to memory like a sacred mantra.

"Now, all of you out!" Lelouch ordered, then added. "Except Tojo, we can discuss all pomp and festival later if we can have it." Much later… "And keep this news to yourself!"

Kasper smiled sheepishly, "Of course boss to the first order, but the second one hum…"

Koko fidgeted nervously, "We have contacted our HQ in homeland about it and they're already preparing a festival when you go home this weekend as we speak."

Lelouch groaned, "I will deal with that later, so out!"

"Si! Il mio Ciello!" They chorused as all of them but Tojo rushed out of the room as noisily as they came.

Lelouch was about to speak when a sound of chiming bell came from his phone, he had a mail which he'd ignored if he didn't see the address was Nunnally's. He opened the email, not with feeling of happiness he usually felt but dread.

I am so happy brother!
I'm glad Suzaku now is part of our family and one of your knights! You're still busy and have no time for a party, so don't worry! I will order our people to delay the festiveness for now. We still want a party for this occasion, so can we have a small one for this weekend when you're home? Please brother? I am sure you and Suzaku will enjoy it!

I'm pretty busy with Signor Ryohei about our project so I can't call you, send my love for Suzaku.

Hug and Kisses
Nunnally Millefiore

Ps: I miss the cream puff from Ashford canteen so buy some for me.

"Nunnally…" Even his sister, "The world is out against me today…" He lamented theatrically. "And Tojo, please tell me you're still with me in faction 'Think logically before you speak' because everyone seems to take my word literally and jump to conclusion!"

Colonello whacked him upside his head for that, "What did I tell you about angsting?! Kora!" He shouted boisterously. "You have an image to upheld! And it's definitely not an emo prince!"

Lelouch hissed in pain, rubbing his throbbing head. "Yes… yes, I hear you master." Damn it, why the hell Tsuna had to specify that one of Colonello's duty, as his teacher was to forbid him from brooding?

"Erm… I am with you boss." Tojo said sympathetically. "To be honest." He glanced at Suzaku. "Does Suzaku-kun have any idea what he had gotten himself into?" He wondered out loud, "Do you?" He asked Suzaku.

Suzaku looked very relieved that at last someone familiar he could speak with. "I don't… I am still trying to comprehend the part Lelouch has become royalty in another country and apparently he has accidentally make me his knight." He drawled in sheepish tone. "Uhm… actually, can someone tell me how big deal it is to be Lelouch's knight? Everyone is speaking in language I don't understand but they're all kneeling to me! I am so confused Tojo-sensei!"

Lelouch felt guilty for putting Suzaku in this position, "Okay… I guess we really should sit down and explain thoroughly… "He glared at Colonello. "And I will really… appreciate it if you didn't speak out of turn again Colonello."

"Hmph!" Colonello harrumphed, crossing his arm petulantly.

"You too Yamamoto Takeshi."

"Ha ha ha." He just laughed in response.

All of them took seat on nearby sofa set, Lelouch sat across Suzaku and Tojo while Yamamoto sat with Colonello. Lelouch cleared his throat, "First of all I guess I have to explain that I am…" He swallowed and steeled himself. "I am a mafia boss and all upper echelon members of HCLI including Tojo are part of my mafia family." He confessed in the most even voice he could muster, and as if an after thought, he added. "So does Nunnally." As if it could placate Suzaku somewhat instead of making it worse. Lelouch waited for his friend to blow up.

But nothing came. Suzaku just sat in front of him with clueless expression and waited for more elaboration in his part. When Suzaku opened his mouth, what he said was definitely the last thing Lelouch expected.

"What is mafia? Is that the name of your company?" Suzaku asked innocently.

Silence… three heads turned to Suzaku, staring at him in disbelief. Only Tojo looked unperturbed by the revelation that Suzaku didn't know what mafia is. He raised his hand as if asking for permission to speak. "Sorry, this is partly my fault… Suzaku-kun was home-schooled. Under Prime Minister's order when it comes to history and politics around the world, I taught him what he need to know according to politic climate at that time so we neglect everything else…"

The three Mafioso were silent until Lelouch managed an, "Oh."

Suzaku chose that moment to make another guess. "Is it the name of your country or something like it then Lelouch?"

Lelouch stared at Suzaku in disbelief, "It's kind of scary you can make such a close to truth guesses but never completely get it right." He couldn't help but commented. Then he glanced at Yamamoto, come to think of it again Tsuna's rain guardian also had this freakish instinct like a wild animal.

Tojo turned to face his old student, "It's an organized body, in the past mafia used to operate mainly in Sicily, Italy… and we have complex and strict behavior code." Tojo paused, "Well… the easiest way to describe us perhaps… Italian version of Yakuza?"

Colonello scoffed, "Mafia comes first before Yakuza, so it's Yakuza, the Japanese version of mafia."

"I see…" Suzaku started to get it and stopped on his track.

Yakuza's definition: a Japanese organized crime syndicate.

Suzaku stood up and faster than Lelouch could react, the brunette snatched his gloved hands and inspecting each digit covered by his black gloves. "I have complete set of my digits, thank you very much!" Lelouch snapped, "And we don't have tradition of cutting finger like Yakuza in the first place!"

Yamamoto was laughing in the background, hunching over as holding his stomach. "Ha ha ha ha… this is too funny!"

"But Lelouch! You're not a criminal!" Suzaku exclaimed in disbelief.

Lelouch groaned, "I am not! At least not to my country…"

Tojo nodded almost frantically, "I am just comparing them in term of civilian's perception!" He amended quickly, as Suzaku looked ready to break down again. "To outsider they're crime organization but it's not like that!"

Lelouch continued in deadpan tone, holding up two fingers. "In genesis of mafia there are two types of mafia, the crime organization and vigilante group." Lelouch added, "In short through centuries, the vigilante group dominate the other, and their influence grow stronger and stronger. It gets to a point mafia become the government body of Italy."

"Neo-Italy now." Yamamoto added, "We even move the capital to Venice ha ha ha."

The raven-haired boss shrugged, "So yeah… we can't be criminals if it's us who create law and keep the country running, could we?"

Suzaku tried to process the shortened and simplified version of mafia history in his brain. Lelouch he knew would join criminal organization to destroy Britannia, but he'd leave Nunnally out of it. He supposed if Lelouch let Nunnaly to be part of them, mafia couldn't be bad.

"So… how is Nunnally?" Suzaku couldn't help but ask.

Lelouch's eyes softened, "She is back home in Neo-Italy." Suzaku couldn't help but noted Lelouch called Neo-Italy as home so fondly. "She is my right hand woman in family, so while I'm here she keep my family running at home."

He was happy, and so was Nunnally. That's good, never mind Nunnally was running a probably gigantic organization in Lelouch's place. Although small traitorous part of his mind couldn't help having an image of older Nunnally donning a elaborate kimono, her long hair done up to a bun and she was drawing a chokuto out of her obi.

Anego.

He couldn't decide it was hilarious or terrifying, but right hand woman didn't sound better either.

"As for your second question about how big deal it is to be our boss' knight… well…" Tojo trailed off. "I guess the better wording would be how high that position is in mafia." Suzaku nodded almost frantically.

"Please don't use yakuza again as comparison." Lelouch couldn't help but ask, "Use Japanese military system, or Britannia for all I care, if it make it easier for Suzaku."

Tojo shrugged, "Okay… I guess Millefiore Knights have equal station as…" He trailed off, "Britannia's knight of round." Suzaku's eyes widened in shock, wasn't that was the highest rank of knight in Britannia? Lelouch seriously considering him for such a high position?!

Yamamoto frowned, "Knight of Round don't have any say in politic, do they?" They had it but only when the emperor gave them the authority, aside from Knight of One who could have full authority in his chosen area. In practice they didn't have any say in political ground. "We in the other hand have the authority on our assigned field."

"True." Lelouch concurred, "So I guess my knights also doubled as minister…"

Arcobaleno mostly kept themselves out of politic aside from Reborn and Uni, either because they had their own interest like Mammon and Verde, dedicating themselves to train disciple like Fon and Colonello, or simply incapable like Skull. So currently the bosses and guardians run everything themselves. Calm period like now they could handle, but by the time the Project RE- is on its next stage there's no way everything could be run smoothly without their Millefiore counterpart.

Suzaku stared at Lelouch in bewilderment, "Uhm Lelouch, I am flattered you consider me for such an honorable position but I am not sure I am qualified."

Lelouch narrowed his eyes and Suzaku flinched, "Suzaku, I'd never choose unqualified people to be my knights, I give you a choice to refuse this offer but never use that as the reason." He stated firmly, "Weren't you planning to be the Knight of One for your people? I don't see how you'd think you're qualified to be the emperor's knight but not mine."

He didn't mean to offend Lelouch, while he was happy Lelouch think so highly of him but… "I mean I am confident with my martial arts, but helping you to run a country is definitely out of my league."

"You can learn, I didn't become a boss right away before Colonello train me…" Lelouch informed him with a sigh, "Beside…" He glanced at Yamamoto, "This guy over here mostly doing errands like peace talk and training new recruits. "

Yamamoto grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head as if he was embarrassed by his lack of participation in running the country. Inwardly Lelouch rolled his eyes, if Hayato was Tsuna's right hand, this man was the left hand. True, Yamamoto's role in politic mostly just ambassador in case some famiglia under Vongola decided to be a little rowdy, his easygoing nature made people easy to trust him and sometimes underestimate him.

Tsuna's left hand however was more than a soothing rain, he could be merciless downpour that wash away conflicts with force if he must. If asked which guardian of Tsuna's who had record under their belt in category of worse devastation they left in their wake, the first of course goes to Hibari Kyouya and second place goes to Yamamoto Takeshi.

Which was why when Yamamoto was tasked to mediate a peace talk all parties involved would do everything to not wake the merciless downpour, and finish their conflict the moment he was still a gentle shower.

That was rain's duty, To become a blessed shower that settles conflict and washes everything away.

When he was taught about the duty of guardians who serve sky bosses, he couldn't help but think rain's was awful. Simply because it sounds like a sacred duty like any other guardian, but in the same time when you look more closely if they're the blessed shower that settles conflict, why did they washes everything away?

Lelouch clenched his fist, if Suzaku become his rain that would be Suzaku's duty too. He didn't know the old Suzaku, but current Suzaku who seemed loathed bloodshed to the point he risked his life stupidly to stop it… He was going to make this Suzaku to offer peace in one hand and a promise of annihilation hidden on the other hand he put on his back.

"At any rate…" He stood up abruptly, "You went through a lot today, I suggest you retire to your room Suzaku and…" He swallowed, "Please consider the offer…"

There was a tone of finality on his voice, that no one but Suzaku had any say in this. Regardless what their mafia code says, Lelouch wanted to give Suzaku a chance to choose but in the same time he didn't want to let go of his best friend.

HCLI's basement.

"Marianne… Marianne…" C.C murmured under her breath in frustration. She sat up then looked around her room, her prison.

This was not working. Something was blocking her power from contacting Marianne. She disliked talking with her ex-contractor, but she was just testing the connection the moment she felt it was cut off. She could connect with C world, or rather it become one way connection and she couldn't draw her power from it. But connection with Marianne or V.V she was supposed to be connected mentally had been completely severed.

What was this suppose to mean?

"Surprised?" Minami asked mischievously from the screen on her left wall. "Like boss said, cooperating will hurt you less."

C.C narrowed her eyes at the Japanese woman. "What did you do to me?"

She shrugged, adjusting her glasses with a sigh. "Not me, it's my boss." She informed the green haired code. "After the last stunt you pulled on him, it's decided you need to be taught some consequences for your bad behavior."

The code clenched her fist in ire, "You think you can do whatever you want to me huh? Arrogant human…" She hissed venomously.

Minami laughed out loud, "That's a pretty Britannian mindset you have there, Miss C.C he he…"

C.C's eyes widened a fraction at that, she said that C.C had Britannian mindset?! "What do you mean?"

"Winners take all, the strong devour the weak… survival of the fittest…" Minami listed on, "Britannia still take that ideology with barbarian perspective, a country that tell her people to take whatever they wanted from weaker race."

C.C snorted, "I see… so in spite of saying you cared not of human conflict, you still resent Britannia for subjugating your country."

Minami smiled at that, a goofy smile no less which took C.C off guard. "Ha ha ha… that's a pretty interesting take you have there, but no, I'm merely stating general opinion of my people regarding Britannia." Then she added, "When I say my people I'm not talking about Japanese by the way."

C.C was about to retort but the screen was turned off and silence greeted her. She fumed inwardly and pulled the comforter over her. There's nothing she could do now, she might as well count her blessing. At least she had a comfy bed, endless supplies of pizza and no one was torturing her physically.

At least Lelouch vi Britannia was a better host than his half brother could ever be, that won't stop her from extracting revenge once she was free though.

Meanwhile in Lelouch's office

"But Lelouch." Suzaku protested as Tojo pushed him not so gently out of the office.

Lelouch shook his head, one hand was holding the handle of the door. "It's fine…" He hissed, low enough just to be heard by Tojo and Suzaku. "I don't want you to stay and those two to try influencing your decision."

"I can hear you! Kora!" Colonello who was at least five meters away shouted.

"Ha ha ha…" Yamamoto laughed sheepishly.

Suzaku swallowed, "But if… you really need me to be your knight, and if I refuse it will trouble you…"

The ex-prince narrowed his eyes in ire. "If you choose to be my knight it has to be out of your free will and for your own sake." He stated firmly, "That's how it works for Vongola guardians and Millefiore knights…" He said firmly.

Suzaku was stunned by what Lelouch said. "For my sake? My own?" That's a pretty foreign concept to him since he was down the path of atoning his sin. He had to admit his self-sacrifice was partly for his own selfish desire to atone but he had never done anything for purely for his own good.

"Suzaku." Lelouch began exasperatedly "As the leader of this famiglia, when I choose someone to be my knight… I have to grant them one of their greatest wishes in exchange for their undying loyalty to me." He stated with conviction, "So tell me Suzaku, what do you wish for?" He crossed his arms, "Tell me and only if I can grant it, I earn the right for your loyalty."

Suzaku looked appalled by what Lelouch said, wasn't that incredibly selfish? "But I will do it if that what it takes to protect you! You don'I heard that baby… he said you can't make exception for me, it's bad for your reputation!"

Lelouch said that vow to help him, and it got Lelouch in trouble.

"You don't have to give me anything! I even will…" His eyes downcast was he said it, "I will even die for you…"

Suzaku didn't expect all occupants in the room to be so shocked the moment the words left his mouth. The two rains looked surprised and gaping at him as if he was insane, and Lelouch looked like someone had just slapped him.

"Suzaku." Lelouch growled, breaking the spell of silence that descended in the room. "If you become my knight, your duty is not laying down your life for me like the Knight of Honor. You're not going to be my human shield!" He pointed at Suzaku right on his face. "You. Can't. Die. For .Me!"

"But."

"No buts!" Lelouch growled, anger clearly blazing on his eyes. "Now out! Out of my sight and reflect on what you just said!" He shouted before closing the door on Suzaku's face.

Turning around he marched to the sofa set where the two rains sat, his eyes scanned each of them scrutinizing. "Since you're already here, I may as well make use of you both." At Colonello's riffle pointed at his face, he quickly amended. "Or just Takeshi, I can't think of how to fit a super baby somewhere in my plan anyway."

Yamamoto didn't mind Lelouch ordering him around; after all it's for the sake of their country too. "I will follow you, but still… are you sure you can work with things unsettled between you and your friend?" He said as he jerked his thumb to the closed door.

"Very sure." Lelouch answered in a heartbeat, taking the seat across them. "Beside… if I didn't make him leave… I…" He trailed off with uneasiness clearly painted in his face, his eyes shifted as if avoiding Colonello's observing eyes. "I will lost my temper and strangle that idiot."


Hallway, 5 minutes later…

Suzaku couldn't help but a little angry Lelouch sent him off like that, but in the same time he couldn't understand what's Lelouch's problem with his willingness to swear himself to Lelouch without anything in return. He was Lelouch's best friend, he didn't need reward to protect his friend.

He didn't want anything!

Okay, that was a lie but what he wanted was not something Lelouch could give him. In fact Lelouch would scorn him if he knew what Suzaku wanted.

"Suzaku-kun." The brunette almost jumped when his former teacher called him, "Your room is over here remember?" Tojo said as he pointed at the door he had walked pass by two meters.

Suzaku turned around, flushing a deep red. "Uhm yeah."

Tojo reached out and ruffled Suzaku's curly hair gently, and Suzaku tensed. It was the same gesture Tojo made whenever he wanted to comfort Suzaku whenever the young boy was depressed. It was either because his father ignored him or Tohdoh was being too harsh on him. He didn't notice it, but he missed Tojo very much.

"It's fine Suzaku, don't be too hard on yourself. Work on your own pace… and you will find answer to your problem." Tojo recited his old advice he always said to his student.

Suzaku nodded mutely. "Yes, sensei… but still I couldn't get Lelouch at all." He couldn't help but say, "I mean… what's wrong with swearing myself to him without asking for anything, I just want to protect him…"

Tojo sighed wearily, "Well… it's just how it works between boss and his knights."

"But, am I not his first? How he could know?" Suzaku asked curiously.

"The big tree mafia families, or called Trinisette famiglia in Italian… are very old families." Tojo pointed out, "Vongola, the family Yamamoto-san belongs to is already in their tenth generation… so approximately Vongola was at least 250 years old." He explained, "But the portrait of first rain guardian, who was a Japanese named Asari Ugetsu… the kimono he was wearing suggest the famiglia was born around early period of Heian era."

Suzaku sputtered in disbelief, "But that's… isn't that at least 800 years ago?!"

Tojo nodded, "I didn't have a chance to learn their complete history so I don't know the detail." But he had to admit Vongola aged so slowly that it's almost inhuman, the portrait of Primo when he was in late thirties looks like he was in his late teens. "In comparison… Millefiore famiglia we belongs to is relatively young, Lelouch is our second boss… so back home we call him Millefiore Secondo."

That was a pretty foreign name in his ears, "Second? I thought it suppose to be as old as Vongola?"

"It is… but because previous boss changed the name and merged the old famiglia with a couple of lesser famiglia the generation count reset. So Millefiore or Gesso as it was called is as old as Vongola actually." He explained in lofty tone. "Through that long history the three family worked together in harmony, and they shared a great deal of the same tradition… including that a boss have six peoples who answered only to him and named after weather phenomena."

That explained why that Yamamoto guy said he was his counterpart. "Are you saying Lelouch asked me to ask something from him as part of that tradition?" Suzaku asked in disbelief.

"I will not call it tradition." Tojo corrected, "It's just how it works between boss and his inner circle, when you swear ultimate loyalty to one of the boss among bosses… he or she will fulfill your greatest desire." He frowned, "Or so I heard back home… "

"But I…"

Tojo shook his head, "I talked to Sun Guardian of Vongola once." When he was injured in homeland, courtesy of being plainly unlucky to be on the way when Vongola's cloud was on his warpath. "It's not you ask for one million pound and your boss will give you that in exchange of your loyalty, it's not like that apparently but… one thing for sure, all guardians choose to be one for their own sake. They didn't become a guardian for anyone else but themselves… so does their predecessors, and Lelouch want you to do the same…"

Suzaku swallowed at that, "To be Lelouch's knight for my own sake… that's…"

"If you're still unsure, I think you can ask Yamamoto-san about it." Tojo suggested, "I never met him face to face before myself, but from what I have seen he is easy to talk with."

He nodded curtly, "Yes… he seems to be very friendly."

"Speaking of Yamamoto-san…" Tojo trailed off, shifting his eyes to the side. "He looks familiar... or rather he looks like other Yamamoto-san I know."

Suzaku blinked at that, then added. "Uhm… I was distracted back in Lelouch's office, but now you mention it Tojo-sensei… I have a feeling I have seen him somewhere before."

"If Suzaku-kun think so too, that means he is someone we both know of." Tojo concluded, "There're a lot of Japanese evacuated to Neo-Italy because their family have connection with mafia seven years ago."

That was quite a piece of news, there're Japanese peoples managed to escape from invasion. "So you think he is one of those Japanese, sensei?" He held no grudge for those who escaped, no one could fault them from escaping a hell like life as number.

Tojo nodded, "Yes… but still it's hard to recall who is he."

"Not to mention his name is Yamamoto." Suzaku couldn't help but sweat-dropped, "That's one of the most common family name in Japan." He recalled there was at least four maids working for his family with that surname, and one driver too. "What his first name again sensei? I think Lelouch said his complete name once just now…"

Tojo scratched his head, "Hm… I believe boss called him…"

"And I will really… appreciate it if you didn't speak out of turn again Colonello."

"Hmph!" Colonello harrumphed, crossing his arm petulantly.

"You too Yamamoto Takeshi."

"Takeshi… " Tojo deadpanned, "An equally common Japanese name."

Suzaku frowned at the name, a supposedly common name which would have a string of people with the same name in Japanese society. Although long time ago there was one boy who Tohdoh-sense...

"This is my student Suzaku, he is seven years old just like your son... I believe your son is trained in the way of sword too, Tsuyoshi-dono?" Tohdoh-sensei said, giving his shoulder a comforting pat.

Tsuyoshi-san nodded, patting the brown eyed boy beside him. "He is a talented boy, but you see... I think I'd rather not train him too much and let him enjoy his childhood. Beside you know Shigure Shouenryuu only take one week to be taught!"

Suzaku saw his teacher's eyes wandered to the other boy, inspecting the posture, muscle and eyes. "Good eye, and no less fit than my student... sport?"

"Baseball."

Tohdoh-sensei narrowed his eyes in displeasure. "Britannian sport? You allow your son to play that?"

Tsuyoshi-san laughed softly, while the boy shrunk under Tohdoh-sensei's disapproving gaze."Kyoushiro-kun... Who cares of politic? It's my son's passion, if my boy likes it I have no right to stop him." He said determinedly, and when Tohdoh-sensei was going to say something in protest Tsuyoshi-ojiisan cut him off. "Oh come on... don't bore the boys with politics and war, and I believe I have not introduce myself and my son. I am Yamamoto Tsuyoshi and this is my son... "

"Hi!" The boy offered his hand, and spoke before his father gave permission."I am Takeshi, nice to meet ya!" Using informal language when speaking in the presence of adult."Eh... what's your name again? Shizuku?"

Suzaku was ticked off, "Su-za-ku! The son of Japan Prime Minister, Kururugi Genbu! My name is Kururugi SU-ZA-KU!"

Yamamoto Takeshi however didn't notice he had just irked a son of the most powerful man in Japan. "Oh Suzaku! And I am the son of Yamamoto Tsuyoshi, the 8th Shigure Shouen Ryuu master. My name is Yamamoto TA-KE-SHI!" He parroted with cheerful grin.

Suzaku almost wanted to cry when Tohdoh-sensei informed him the annoying boy was supposed to be his playmate and training partner for the duration of summer vacation.

Suzaku's left eye twitched as realization dawned on him. "Ah..."

"You know him? Tojo asked curiously.

"Yes." Suzaku said in exasperated voice, "I know him." To think he was even in the same room and shaking hand with Yamamoto Takeshi and didn't recognize the guy at all...


Back in Lelouch's office

"So… around 9PM sharp, we'd have Rabbit Foot in our custody and after that more or less we use our stealth jet and retreat." Lelouch explained as he tapped their planned rendezvous point. "Your role in this Yamamoto, is to call out rain in case we need to dampen their pursuit, I have al but abandoned the thought we can do this secretly… so I'd like you to stand by in this point and be on guard until I give you a signal to go."

Yamamoto nodded, "Roger, that's a really deta… ha haa atchoo!" He sniffed, "Detail plan."

"Cold?" Lelouch asked, passing the rain guardian a box of tissue.

"No." Yamamoto wiped his nose, "Someone is talking about me for sure."

Lelouch snorted, "I don't believe that ridiculous superstition, and Colonello… even though I am not going to involve you in this mission doesn't mean you can't give any tips. And if you have something to say, you can say it now." Lelouch said flippantly as he rolled up the map.

Colonello gave him a long stare, "You know, idiot disciple of mine." Lelouch bristled on his seat but held his tongue. You're not arguing with your arcobaleno tutor called you names unless you had a dead wish, a lesson from Tsuna he followed religiously for the sake of survival.

"That boy… he is defective."

Lelouch's temper flared, his violet eyes shimmered like dying will flame. "Colonello…" He hissed warningly.

"I noticed that too." Yamamoto added. "His flame is a little…" He trailed off hesitantly. "Off."

The ex-prince tensed, his temper subsided as his eyes regained its normal hue. "Wait… what do you mean Suzaku's flame is off? He hasn't even trained to awaken his flame…"

"We used our flame to coax his dormant flame." Colonello explained in lofty tone, "So even though he has no ring and untrained, we can see his flame."

Takeshi nodded in agreement, "What he said… he will die for you, uhm… "

Lelouch clenched his fist, "Not just for me… from what I have seen…" He trailed off, "Suzaku will give his life to save anyone."

Can't you make Prince Clovis see sense?
Is it alright? If Britannia execute Leopold Acerbi for Regicide?
Do you have to go that far?

Yamamoto looked uneasy as he muttered, "Normally I will applaud such selflessness but to us, guardians of Vongola and Millefiore knights that's…"

Lelouch clenched his fist, "That's the highest taboo… for you who bind yourself to Trinisette, to be so willingly give up your life that's no longer yours." Their dying will flame manifested from their resolution, their determination to keep living and not giving up on their life. If someone willingly give up that life, their dying will flame would…

What happened to him? Suzaku he knew was always a good friend and willing to go to a great length to help him, but that recklessness he displayed back in Shinjuku Ghetto was not the same as that.

"Do you know what I see in him?" Colonello asked suddenly, startling Lelouch out of his thought. "I see a dead man walking."

BAM! PRANG!

Lelouch temper rose to his head, he almost couldn't think straight as he slammed his fist on the table, shattering the glass to pieces. "Colonello! Even though you're my tutor I won't forgive you if you dare to call my best friend that!" It was the foulest insult in their society, as they valued the will of living more than anything.

Yamamoto flailed, "Calm down Lelouch! And Colonello, that's too harsh!"

"So what do you see in that boy, Vongola rain guardian?" Colonello challenged, "That boy suppose to be our Millefiore counterpart and I will be damned to have someone who will bring shame to Cosa Nostra."

"Colonello you!" Lelouch stood up.

Yamamoto waved his arm in placating gesture, "Maa maa… calm down you two, listen to me please?" Lelouch quickly sank back to his seat, but judging from the scowl on his face he was still unhappy. He'd take what he could get, Yamamoto decided. "I think we can't call him dead man walking." Biting down 'yet' he knew would invite the ire of Millefiore's sky. "Since his dying will flame still response to ours, I don't think he completely lose the will of living… but… this Suzaku." He glanced warily at Lelouch. "Promise me you won't shoot for what I am going to say! I am just being honest here!" Then as if an afterthought he added, "And don't swear vengeance on me either please."

A vein popped on his temple, "How many times I told you already?! Stop thinking that I am going to swear vengeance against anything that moves!" They made fun of his revenge driven mindset since forever, and while he admit back then he was a little extreme and unreasonable, he was getting better!

"No, you're just swearing vengeance against anything that get on your nerve." Colonello corrected.

"Continue Yamamoto!" Lelouch barked, pointedly ignoring his tutor's jab.

Yamamoto coughed, "Right, uhm… when you asked what you could give in exchange of his absolute loyalty…" He trailed off hesitantly, "While I didn't know the guy as well as you do, don't you think he strangely try to shy away from this subject?"

"Yes." Lelouch answered without a hint of doubt, "It's definitely strange for me, because Suzaku I know…" He narrowed his eyes, "Will challenge me with impossible request just to get a rise out of me, or he will laugh at me and ask since when I become a God, or he will simply call me stuck up prince."

Takeshi and Colonello stared at him in disbelief, Are you talking about the same Suzaku? That submissive guy?

He added, "I am talking about the ten years old Suzaku of course." He looked up at Yamamoto, "So, what are you trying to get at?" He asked almost impatiently.

Takeshi smiled at him, it was a sad and full of regret. "I don't know what happen, but I can tell from his eyes… that guy has lost a lot or precious thing in his life." Lelouch could see from the way Yamamoto looking at him, the rain guardian was silently adding 'just like you' to him. "But unlike you he is at a lost of what to do to fill that emptiness he felt."

Lelouch's eyes widened in realization, Yamamoto was drawing a parallel comparison between Suzaku and himself. No wonder Yamamoto in spite of not knowing Suzaku, he had an inkling of what Suzaku experienced. Yamamoto's father was killed in invasion, he died to defend their city from knightmare corps. Until today Britannia was still at a lost of mysterious lost of one corps they dispatched to raze that small city of Namimori. Yamamoto who was left orphaned couldn't even avenge his father, because his father died together with his killers.

Yamamoto was not a type who will just avert his hatred on the whole country, and his father's last word was begging him to not let hatred blind him and take revenge for his father. Yamamoto Tsuyoshi meant well for his son, but he's not helping his son to coup with the feeling of lost and other negative feeling that consume him, with no outlet of it.

If not for Tsuna who become Yamamoto's purpose to keep living, Yamamoto would have…

Suzaku's father committed suicide. If Suzaku went through the same thing as Yamamoto, it could explain his borderline suicidal actions, and misguided brand of mercy. It still didn't explain why Suzaku became honorary Britannian and part of their army. It still didn't give Lelouch any inkling of what Suzaku hoped to achieve with it. His ambition to be the Knight of One to free Japan couldn't be for real right? Did he feel responsible for his father's death that caused Japan to surrender?

Or was it something horrible Suzaku almost told him? How horrible it was to a point Suzaku had a panic attack over it? He glanced at Yamamoto who seemed he wanted to say something. "Yamamoto." Lelouch began, "Just say anything you want, I seriously stuck in figuring out my old friend I thought I know better than I understand myself." He admitted bedgrudgingly.

The rain guardian frowned, "Even though you seems to know him so well…" He titled his head to the side. "Why?"

"If what you said is true, that he went through the same thing as you do… some factors contradict that." Lelouch pointed out. "If that's the case he'd not think to become the Knight of One and free Japan that way."

As one Colonello and Takeshi gave him an incredulous look, "Is that even possible?" Takeshi wondered out loud.

Great, even Yamamoto Takeshi who arguably the most optimistic one to the point of borderline idiocy out of all Tsuna's guardians didn't even think twice to point out the impossibility of a number to be part of Rounds. It seemed he really had to worry about Suzaku's sanity to even think it's possible.

Lelouch shook his head, "No, it's not unless the emperor have a change of heart regarding number system." You had to wait for an apocalypse happen first before that bastard did.

"Hum…" Yamamoto titled his head to the side, "Then, I don't get him at all..."

Colonello narrowed his eyes, "Perhaps either he is suicidal or foolishly ambitious, kora." He pointed out, "Or quasi combination of both."

Lelouch could almost feel his blood run cold at that, "You're kidding. The quasi combination is even more outrageous than being suicidal."

"But then, it no longer contradicting factors you said didn't fit." Colonello pointed out without pity. "Face the truth idiot disciple, and use that genius brain of yours and find your resolution to help that idiot friend of yours, kora!"

Lelouch barely aware the sound of Yamamoto flailing and protesting that Cloneelo dragged him out of the room, and leave Lelouch on his own. It was only when the door was slammed shut Lelouch turned his attention from the shattered glass table to the closed door.

He didn't know he had to be grateful or resent Colonello for pointing out what Suzaku's problem was.

Suzaku seek death, but in the same time he seek a meaningful death to atone himself. To atone something he had done Lelouch knew nothing of.

Those who bind themselves to one of Trinisette skies will have their greatest wish granted. But there's no way he'd let that twisted wish Suzaku had to be realized.


In case you're confused, to the last line... if you think again Hayato find place to belong and someone to pledge himself to when he become Tsuna's family and the same thing goes with the rest of his guardians. Although Lelouch being Lelouch worded it in such way it sounds like take and give.

Now back to PAoST! I swear I will finish 9th chapter before the end of the year! DAMN IT!