kk, chapter 9, 'Refrain only leads to pain'.
I'll have you all know that this is the L-O-N-G-E-S-T chapter I've ever done!
my routine notices...
1: Emolollipop: Thank you for that will to live, (takes another swig from the bottle, "Good stuff!", and holds it out in gratitude), have already found many uses for it! lol, after what you said about Lelouch's arm movements, I kept thinking of something like this...
Lelouch:'Those without power, seek us!' (throws out arm and smacks Tamaki in the face.
Tamaki: OW! WTF, ZERO?!? (shakes fist angrily while rubbing nose in pain)
Lelouch (holding up hands in surrender): My bad, it just comes naturally with the costume...the dramatics and stuff...oopsie...
Tamaki (pauses in thought, still holding nose): eh, (nods in thought) I can understand that.
2: Redzercarebear: A thank you to you for congratulating me on surviving the bog and another congrats to you for surviving it with me! READERS, WITHOUT REDZERCAREBEAR, I WOULD NEVER HAVE SURVIVED TO UPDATE THIS STORY!!!! HOW BOUT A SPECIAL ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR HER?!
3:GenMcvile: Good luck to you, all will be revealed soon ("que dramatic drum roll!" waits 15 seconds. frowns. "Que Dramatic drum roll!" waits 20 seconds. scowls. "GOD DAMN IT! I WANNA DRUM ROLL!" waits 10 seconds. "GAH! FINE! I'LL WRITE IT MYSELF! THANKS FOR NOTHING PEOPLE WHO MAKE DRAMATIC DRUM ROLL COME OUT OF NOTHING!") DUH DUH DUUUUUUUUUUH! and dude...your whoops whoops make me exceptionally happy! :)
4: Why are you still reading my notices?! read the damn chapter people!!! and read the one at the bottom please...go with me on this!
Amaya's emerald eyes widened, fear taking over her as she froze at the sight of her treasured home. The main house, where her Ojii-san and Uncle Takahiro lived...engulfed by flames as red as blood, licking over the walls, the roof smoke rising like a pillar in the air. Amaya found herself standing frozen, staring at the terrifying scene, her arms dropping limply by her sides.
"A…Amaya-chan…" A weak voice fluttered from behind wreckage weakly.
"Ojii-san!" she yelled, recognising the voice. Running to it, she turned over a piece of debris, gasping at the sight. Her grandfather, Ojii-san, with the Fujiwara head sword, passed down generations, and made hundreds of years ago, fused with the blood of their ancestors. He had multiple gunshot wounds, as she bend down, yelling for paramedics.
"Amaya-chan…" he whispered again, clasping her hand. His onyx eyes connected with hers.
"No-one can help me now…"
"No, you can't die, Ojii-san…" she whispered, pleading with him.
"We…we have been betrayed…" he said with difficulty, wincing as Tohdoh ran over, yelling for help as well. Amaya froze.
"Who?" she asked him, anger gripping her. "Who has betrayed us, Ojii-san?"
"…Kururugi…" he gasped weakly, his eyes showing pain at his next words.
"S-Suzaku…" she froze. Her cousin, the same age as her. she bowed her head to hide the hate in her eyes.
"He…killed Genbu…" his words filled with pain. "Forced the surrender…" Amaya shook at this... Betrayal.
"Forgive him, Amaya. He knows not what he did." Amaya looked at him, shocked. "He will have to live with this on his shoulders...It is punishment enough." Amaya did not reply.
"Amaya…" he gasped. "Help me…sit up." she nodded, gently pulling him into an upwards position. He winced, as he breathed heavily, with difficulty. He again clasped Amaya's hand.
"Amaya-chan…you are the last one…" she froze.
"What?" she asked in a shaky voice. "What do you mean 'the last one'?"
"The last Fujiwara…" he said painfully. She froze.
"The Britannian soldiers, they came…they took everyone…the men, the women, your cousins…dear god, they took the children…" Amaya shut her eyes, not wanting to relive the moments in her mind. "Please, Ojii-san…"
"You must know…they took them…they lined them up…and they shot them all." Amaya bent over, Pulling his hand to her face.
"Then they left…they laughed, they laughed…I thought if your Okaa-san married…we could have prevented…but it only brought about her death!" he choked back a sob. "Amaya chan, this will be a hard thing. You can never see your father's family again." she froze as she nodded.
"You will have a choice…be one of your father's family... or a Fujiwara. Ether way, you shall never be free from your father's family, or their whispers and threats…"
"I choose the Fujiwara name, Ojii-san! I am Japanese!" she insisted. "My own family tried to kill me…" she said shakily. "Okaa-san gave her life for me…I will not see her die in vain!" he nodded in support, coughing, his breathing becoming more labored, before continuing,
"Amaya-chan, you must be the new head of the Fujiwara…will you accept it?" she was silent a moment, her hands shaking as her Ojii-san clasped them tightly in his own.
"Will you accept the responsibility…of liberating our nation? Japan." she let a sob wretch itself from her throat as she nodded in acceptance. "Amaya-chan…" he said softly, lifting her head up, brushing away a tear.
"For thousands of years…the Fujiwara has protected the Japanese and Japan. Our blood is as much apart as Japan, as the soil that absorbed it in battles." he smiled smally, growing weaker.
"As long as Japan remains, so will the Fujiwara, as well as our ancestors spirits, the honored samurai, who watch over us." she nodded, as tears that had been welling stopped.
"I understand, Ojii-san…" he smiled wearily, placing his hand over hers, as Tohdoh knelt next to him.
"General…I…I leave Amaya-Hime-sama's well being in your hands…" he nodded, placing a hand over his chest.
"Hai, Fujiwara-sama." he smiled at Tohdoh, grasping his hand for a second. "You...were the only one truly worthy of my daughter...I apologise..." Tohdoh shook his head, dismissing the apology.
"I don't believe anyone was worthy enough for the legendary Samurai Mai." he smiled sadly, as her Ojii-san smiled back a little.
"I shall take care of Amaya as though she were my own." he said softly, promising. Amaya gripped her grandfather's other hand tighter as he coughed again, as he grasped her hands with both of his again, and thrust something into it. Her eyes widened at the sight of the Fujiwara sword.
"It is yours now…use it well."
"I promise, Ojii-san." she swore to him, grasping his weakening fingers tightly in hers. "I promise, I'll free Japan! I won't rest until the Japanese flag will fly proudly over mount Fuji!" he nodded.
"Amaya-chan…before I die…" he leaned up and grasped her cheek.
"Let me see you smile. I need to see it." Amaya blinked, before choking and trying to smile. He smiled, as something passed over his eyes.
"Thank you, Amaya-chan…" he whispered, turning his head to the sun gazing at it against the sky.
"Long…live…Japan…" he whispered hoarsely, as his eyes closed for the last time.
Amaya took a breath as her eyes widened again, clutching at her beloved Ojii-san's bloodied clothes, her hands and clothes becoming red from it.
"Ojii-san…" she whispered urgently.
"Ojii-san!" she felt Tohdoh behind her, touching her shoulder to pull her away, as he nodded to somebody to cover the body. Suddenly, the she felt everything around her. The blood on her hands. The fire, mere metres away, suddenly feeling the true meaning of his words covering her as though the fire was engulfing her. Her breath hitched in her throat, as she understood what she had to do...alone...
"OJII-SAN!"
Amaya took a gulp of air as she awoke with a start, quickly sitting up in shock and panic, clutching the sheets to her chest. She took a few deep breaths, feeling as hot as though the flames from her dream was real. Amaya continued taking deep breaths, as she tried to calm herself. She should be used to this by now. The dream that plagued her since the event. This feeling of...fear. Anxiety...pain. Guilt.
'Survivor's guilt...' she thought to herself as she let out a sigh, closing her eyes for a second, before lying back down. Glancing at the clock beside her bed, she saw that she didn't have to be up for another 2 hours. She groaned quietly to herself, experience reminding her that insomnia usually followed the dream.
For awhile, Amaya lay there, thinking about that day, before abruptly shaking her head of those particular memories. They only brought a promise of pain to her.
Her mind then turned again to Zero, and she curled up in a small ball in thought, as she thought once again...
'Is he him? Are you not dead?'
she closed her mind as she thought of the time during her last visit, just before seeing him...
Amaya picked up the pace, her face beaming in excitement, as she took a hold of her mother's hand, pulling harder, urgently.
"Mama, come on! I want to see him!" she whined, urging the lady to walk faster, calling her by English title. The woman smiled gently at her, as her Uncle Genbu frowned down at her.
"He and his sister should be in their residence." he said sharply, as he signed another document on the table facing the garden. Amaya cocked her head to one side.
"Their residence?" she repeated, as her Uncle nodded again, his eyebrows stitching together as his eyes scanned another.
"Towards the end of the west end of the Shrine." he sighed. "Near the temple." Amaya looked up at her mother, her emerald eyes immediately begging. Her mother pretended to consider.
"Mama!!" Amaya whined, stamping her foot out of impatience. Her mother smiled, pushing a strand of silky raven hair out of her identical emerald eyes.
"It has been awhile, hasn't it?" she smiled. Amaya nodded.
"It's been MONTHS!" she complained, crossing her arms in a huff. "And I can't even write to them..." her mother sighed.
"You know what your father said." Amaya frowned.
"'Because the Emperor ordered it.'" she quoted unhappily. "Horrible Emperor." she muttered as an afterthought. Her mother did not reply, apparently in deep thought.
"I honestly don't see why you allowed her to acquaint herself with him." her Uncle Genbu said lowly. Her mother frowned slightly at him.
"It was not an acquaintance." she corrected firmly. "It was a friendship." he sighed, looking up.
"What is the difference, Mai-san?" he asked her. "He's also only supposed to be a 'political guest'. But we all know he's a hostage." Mai frowned at him, angry, as Amaya narrowed her eyes.
"Genbu-san, I insist you show him some sympathy." she snapped. "He has only recently lost his mother, and his sister lost both her eyesight and her ability to walk!" Genbu frowned, putting his pen down and giving her his full attention, while Amaya lowered her eyes in remembrance.
"You were friends with his mother, right?" he sighed. Her mother nodded, although Amaya noted an unknown emotion flicker go through her eyes. "Marianne was a dear friend of mine." she said, turning to Amaya. "She was Amaya's Godmother, right, Amaya?" Amaya nodded, her patience running thin again.
"Mama, may I? I mean, Okaa-san?" she pleaded again remembering to call her by her Japanese name. "I know I will find my way there, and back!" her mother nodded brightly, ignoring her Uncle.
"You go and find Lelouch and Nunnally. I shall follow you in a few minutes. Just give me some time to...converse, with your Uncle." Amaya nodded, glancing at a frowning Genbu, before turning.
"If you find Suzaku, tell him to be back for dinner!" her Uncle called, as she nodded at him, beginning to run towards the Temple, her mind on what her Uncle had said...
Amaya stared at the ceiling emotionless for a while, before dragging her mind away from that, pulling herself out of bed, and searching for something decent to wear. Again pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind, focusing her energy of what must be done. She was far too busy to recall memories of her mother... She paused a second as she finished dressing, looking at the girl in the mirror, hand reaching out to touch it slightly, staring into her emerald eyes almost hungrily, looking for a shadow of the girl she was before.
The girl who once instead of taking a Knightmare into battlefield, would ride in her mother's across her home's grounds for 'lessons' on her lap.
The girl who instead of quickly pulling her hair into a ponytail every morning to simply keep it out of her eyes, would spend nearly every morning with her mother, who would smile at her in the mirror as they took turns doing each other's hair.
The girl who used to have the time to be a child...have fun, play, learn, laugh...
She drew her eyes away, turning towards the door, deciding to go over her research on the drug, 'Refrain', which coincidentally allowed it's victims to relive their best moments in life.
She could think more on those later.
When she was ready to face them.
Lelouch turned his head from the window as he turned his attention back to the girls of the Student Council's account of being a hostage. He had been very distracted lately, he had noted. 'Must be seeing both Suzaku and Amaya again...' he thought with a secret smile. Increasingly, he found himself lost in his memories. Thinking back to his time as a Prince, and indeed, his time as an exiled Prince.
Not to mention he was spending more and more of his time as his new alter-ego, Zero. Ever since the debut of the Black Knights, more and more 'Elevens' had joined, and from his stats, the Black Knights were becoming more and more popular. They had even begun doing work usually done by Britannian Police.
This had indeed caused confusion within Area 11 and the Black Knights. He had simply said that they would be seen as more then a terrorist group. They were to be seen as improving Area 11, and doing it in ways without openly confronting the Britannian government. Showing that they were doing what Britannia would not.
Ever since he had begun this part of his plan, the Britannian Government simply did not know what to do. Although Zero remained the top of the Most Wanted list, with his poster on every wall of the Settlement, they had not actively confronted him. Cornelia seemed to be targeting the JLF, especially after the Kawaguchi incident. And seeing as Zero saved her beloved sister, Euphemia, Lelouch was sure this was her was of gratitude. She would most likely turn her complete attention to the new Black Knights after she crushed the JLF. 'Typical of Cornelia.' Lelouch mused, as Rivalz hit him on the arm.
"Hey, Lelouch! Quit looking into space again!" he smirked. Lelouch rolled his eyes as Suzaku sent him a sympathetic smile. "Honestly, even out of classes he never pays attention, even to an exciting story like this!" he scolded, crossing his arms while shaking his head almost comically.
"It wasn't exciting!" Shirley corrected, her eyes widening at the very thought. "It was anything but!" Nina nodded quietly, hands moving through her hair repeatably, nervously.
"That Eleven..." she said shakily, wrapping her arms around herself. "She was scary..." the room fell silent, as Milly and Shirley exchanged glances.
"Yeah..." Milly echoed, crossing her arms in thought. "But I thought her rather...mysterious..." Rivalz raised an eyebrow of interest.
"Who?" he asked, as Lelouch glanced at Suzaku, who's eyebrows had knitted in thought.
"What girl?" he fained interest, raising an eyebrow becoming of the question. Shirley looked at the ground, as Milly looked to the floor.
"There was this girl...a member of the Black Knights.." she said hesitantly, as though she wasn't even sure of her own words.
"She got angry at Nina after she said something bad about Elevens." Shirley concluded. All eyes turned to Nina, who looked at the floor again.
"...I see..." Lelouch noted, cocking his head to the right slightly. "And this made her seem 'mysterious'?" Shirley nodded slightly, as Milly shrugged.
"I still think Zero is far more mysterious, with his mask and all." she shrugged. "But the girl...she just had an air about her..."
"What did she look like?" Suzaku asked hesitantly, leaning on the table.
"Yeah!" Rivalz smirked. "Was she 'beautifully' mysterious? eh, Suzaku?" he winked as he nudged Suzaku in the ribs, earning a blush from him.
"No! That's not what I meant!" he said frantically, as Lelouch chuckled from his reaction, shaking his head.
"Typical Suzaku." he voiced, causing the blush in Suzaku's cheek to redden, as Rivalz threw a playful arm around his shoulders.
"Lelouch!" he whined theatrically, as Milly shared in a giggle, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder.
"No, no, actually, we never saw her face." she confirmed, as Shirley smiled, as the mood was lifted. They paused as the bell sounded for the end of extra school activities. Lelouch sighed dramatically, picking up his bag, as Milly clapped her hands for attention.
"Well then, I, Milly Ashford, President of the Student Council, call this meeting to a close!" she said brightly. She paused a moment before raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, Ma'am!" was said monotonously, as she smiled and nodded triumphantly, before promptly disappearing from the room. Lelouch and the rest of the Council shared a look of amusement, as Lelouch made his way to the door.
"Well, see you tomorrow everyone." he announced, waving a hand in goodbye.
"See you tomorrow, Lulu!" Shirley smiled, waving enthusiastically as she beat him to the door. Suzaku smiled as Rivalz ran out the door before Lelouch, waving over his shoulder, obviously realizing he was already late.
"What are you doing tonight, Lelouch?" Suzaku asked out of interest as he gathered his things up. He shrugged. "Nothing much." he said smoothly. "Stay in with Nunnally, I suppose. You?" he quickly changed the subject. Suzaku smiled brightly as he shrugged.
"I'm heading back to help with some tests back at base." Lelouch nodded, as he hurried to the door as well. "I'll be late soon if I don't hurry!" he sighed as he began running, leaving Lelouch to walk simply down the hallway alone to his and Nunnally's wing. However, he paused at a window, taking a moment to himself to stare at the sunset, to take a moment to reflect...
"You damned Brit!" the yell came, followed by the kick to his stomach. Lelouch gasped in pain, refusing to cry out, as the kick brought him to his knees. He closed his eyes as he was hit around the face.
"Go back to Britannia!" another kick to his side, brought Lelouch to the ground, panting, grateful he was at least blocking the treats he had bought for that day...
He opened his eyes unwillingly, staring hatefully up at the Japanese boys his age he had once again run into on his way back from the shops. They smirked gleefully back, proud of themselves.
"Hey, is is true what people are saying?" one smirked. "They say YOU'RE a Britannian Prince..." after this sentence was another kick to his stomach, earning another wheeze of pain. Lelouch glared up at them as he stood weakly, fueled only by rage.
"Shut up!" he hissed angrily, his violet eyes burning as he balled his fists, while holding onto his hurt side. This only brought laughs.
"Yeah, I heard you aren't anymore!" one sneered as Lelouch narrowed his eyes. "I heard you were banished!" this brought more laughs as Lelouch glared hatefully at the boy.
"Angered Daddy, did we?"
Lelouch shook as for a moment, as pure rage overtook him. Stomping a foot, while holding his fists by his side, he screamed
"DON'T YOU DARE MENTION THAT MAN!" a silence overtook the boys, as one frowned angrily.
"Hey Brit, what right do you have to yell at us?" he sneered, stepping in front of Lelouch, and grabbing him by his shirt. Lelouch grit his teeth and stared up at the boy.
"I'll 'yell' at anyone who dares relate me to that monster!" Lelouch spat, his feet barely touching the ground. "Even if it's a single celled Neanderthal like you!" the boy blinked in surprise and confusion, staring at Lelouch comprehensively before again turning to anger.
"What the hell does that even mean?" he spat, throwing Lelouch back on the ground with a grunt. He raised his fist again, as Lelouch kept his eyes open, mentally preparing himself for the blow...
"STOP!" all eyes turned to the end of the road, of a young girl running towards them. Lelouch's violet eyes widened in surprise, joy and shame.
"Amaya...?" he whispered, as she neared them. It was undoubtedly Amaya. Her raven hair billowed as she ran, her emerald green eyes wide in surprise.
"Leave him alone!" she cried out, as she approached, heading straight for Lelouch. Lelouch pulled himself up quickly, clutching at his side while he did it, he would never let himself be viewed so...weakly.
"Lelouch..." she whispered as she slowed down in front of him, her eyes shaking at what she had seen. Lelouch avoided her gaze, staring down at the floor.
"Oh? You know the damn Brit?" the leader of the Japanese boys sneered, stepping in front of Amaya. She took a step back in disgust.
"You would beat him up for that reason..." she said, sounding disgusted.
"Hey...you look a bit like a Brit...is that how you know him? Are you a Brit?" one sneered, as she took another step back. They moved towards her, and that was when Lelouch snapped.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!" he roared, throwing himself at the leader. They both fell to the floor, as Lelouch threw angry punches and kicks at the boy, determined to make him feel pain, as much pain as he had felt-
Then he felt himself being pulled, away from the boy as he glanced wildly round and froze at his rescuer.
"...Lady Mai?" he whispered, his eyes wide in disbelief, as she pulled him upright, looking him over for significant injuries.
"Are you alright, Prince Lelouch?" she asked urgently, turning her gaze to the boys who took a step back in shock.
"I'm fine, Lady Mai...I...Amaya..." his eyes found her, standing behind her mother, shakily staring at Lelouch, who took a step closer too.
"Lelouch..." she whispered, seemingly unable to find any other words.
"Do you boys feel tough now? Are you proud of yourselves?" Mai asked coldly, staring at each of the boys. They shook their heads fearfully.
"You have just fought with a boy, simply because he is Britannian? You would attempt to harm my daughter, because of her Britannian blood?" she continued, shaking her head, touching Lelouch's shoulder.
"Prince Lelouch holds more honor and integrity then you could hope for." she said coldly, earning a shocked blink from Lelouch. "Today, you have shamed your country. You should all be ashamed." she shook her head as the boys all paled considerably.
"Get out of here before I find your mothers! And if I ever hear of another occurance like this to my godson...I will not be held responsible for my actions." the boys all nodded fearfully before quickly running down the road and disappearing around a corner. Lelouch stared after them, shocked at his actions, as Amaya swallowed.
"I'm sorry...I went to find you, and I met Suzaku who said you'd be here..." Lelouch's eyes widened as he answered bitterly,
"So you saw it then? You saw how me and Nunnally live nowadays?" Amaya looked to the ground, and weakly nodded.
"Suzaku...he said you won't accept food, or help..." Lelouch clenched his fists stubbornly.
"I will survive on my own! I will protect Nunnally!" he said loudly, his eyes burning. "And I'll do it without any help from...that...that man, or my blasted new 'watchers'!" he spat, glaring at the two men who had been standing behind him silently during his beating. Amaya stared at him in...wonder, he would have called it. Then she said something he never would have guessed.
"Okay." she said simply, nodding to agree with him. "I believe you can. I believe you can survive by your own means, and you can do it with Nunnally as well." Lelouch smiled at her slightly, as she beamed at him. "However, if you should ever need any...assistance..." she cleverly negotiated...
"You will be the first person I call." he sighed in defeat, as she beamed triumphantly as he rolled his violet eyes obviously at her.
As this was being done, Mai had continued her angry rant, instead glaring at his 'Watchers'.
"You two!" she spat, causing them to look alert. "You are both to prevent anything like this from happening again! Am I clear?" they both nodded quickly.
"Hai!"
Then he felt something. Shocked, he looked down, seeing Amaya hugging him tightly, still slightly shorter then him. Then she looked up at him, smiling that smile, her emerald eyes sparkling as she let go.
"Thank you, Lelouch. You saved me." he blushed, as he looked down.
"I...You're welcome." he said awkwardly, as he suddenly noticed something on the ground.
Amaya looked where he was staring, and gasped in surprise.
"Lelouch! You bought treats!" she squealed like a toddler, jumping up and down.
Lelouch looked at Amaya again, as he bent down to pick up the treats he had bought especially for her coming. Amaya bent down too, helping. They picked them up in silence, but as they stood, Amaya beamed at him. He blinked.
"What?" he asked suspiciously, looking around. She shook her head.
"Oh nothing...I've missed you, Lelouch." she smiled, as he smiled weakly back, as they began their way back to the shrine.
"I've missed you too, Amaya..."
Lelouch paused, holding his mask delicately in one hand, turning it to face the front, gazing at the mask the world had come to know as Zero, placing it on the table, watching him as he began to put on his Zero persona.
As that memory resurfaced, he found himself asking himself,
'Why?' he pulled on his skintight purple and golden lined uniform, with the white collar with an emerald stud in the middle.
'Why do I fight? What made me, a weak 11 year old, throw myself at a physically stronger one? When I had simply accepted the blows before, why is it, that when it came to Amaya, I rose to the fight?' he pulled on his matching purple and gold boots on tightly, moving to reach for his next items.
'Was it primal instinct? My instinct, to protect and shield Amaya? Unquestionably a part of it... ' he pondered, as he pulled on his right hand black glove.
'Or was it something more...' he came to contemplate, as he pulled on his left glove.
'Is it possible, that moment, was the first time I unconsciously realized the true hatred and evil of the world? That a Japanese child, would threaten another, based on their nationality? Was it then, that I came to my belief that the strong should never reign over the weak?' Lelouch mused, pulling on his cloak, which swished darkly, as he clasped it at his neck.
'Was it then...' Lelouch thought, as he picked up the mask, staring it again in the face,
'was it that very moment...that anger I had felt then...was that the moment...where the beliefs, and indeed, the idea, of Zero...was truly born?' he came to realize, as he spun the mask in his hand, holding it over his face, seeing the interior of the mask, the two eye holes, the mouth piece that not only allowed him to be heard perfectly through the mask, but to also slightly change his voice.
Lelouch slowly turned to the mirror, seeing the beacon the rest of the world saw...Zero...the Knight of Justice...Ally of the People...who would forever be a part of the shadows...
And yet, as Lelouch turned to unite with his Black Knights, for their nightly mission, he found himself firmly believing one final thought.
'Zero is not a person...without a mask, without the belief, the trust of the people, Zero is naught but a nuisance that can be shot down, his ideas destroyed.'
'Yet with the people...' Lelouch's eyes shone with an unrecognizable light, behind the guise of Zero as he fixated on the inner truth behind the mask.
'Zero is an enigma of the world yet to come.'
2nd Princess of the Britannian Empire, Cornelia Li Britannia, massaged her temples as she again went over the very, very, SHORT file on the Black Knights member she had seen the other day, and indeed, Zero himself.
'A mysterious man...' she mused again, she she looked over his picture again, a screen shot from his introduction to the world and what he was.
'A Knight of Justice...' She snorted again, shaking her head, her rich amethyst hair shaking slightly with it, as her eyes closed momentarily for a moment at the mere idea of something like him dirtying the name of a 'Knight'.
'Knight's are proud...' she found herself thinking. 'Knights are the strong, who live to protect their people and fight for them...Knights are the very warriors of their country!' her hands shook as emotion overcame her, her hands nearly crumbling Zero's picture.
'A Knight is not someone who dons a mask to the world! Knights do not hid their identity's in the shadows, they are proud of them! It is the inner Pride, that defines a Knight!' her eyes narrowed as she threw the picture on the table. 'Not a mask.' she confirmed.
She sighed as she turned to the window, gazing at the glorious view of the Settlement, towards the distinct border to the Eleven Ghettos.
'That's where you are, aren't you, Zero?' she smirked to herself. 'Fighting against me from the debris of the past...' her hands knitted delicately together in their white gloves.
'I won't let you get in my way, Zero.' she hissed to herself, her eyes narrowing, as though he was the very Ghetto, taunting her every day. 'I have something that I must do...for some people very important to me. And I refuse to allow you to destroy that.' she paused as she closed her eyes again, as Euphemia crossed through her mind.
'However...you did save Euphemia, as you promised you would...' she thought quietly. 'So I shall give you some time. But after the JLF have fallen...and they will...I am coming after you, Zero.' She stood, as she stared at the Ghetto a moment longer, holding her head high.
'For I am a Knight...and I refuse to continue to allow you to dishonor that title and it's bearers.' her eyes burned as she clenched her fist, her mind turning to that day.
Cornelia sat up straight, her eyes staring straight ahead of her as she sat at her table at the Imperial Ball, celebrating His Majesty's 45th Birthday. Her jaw was clenching in emotion, as she surveyed her surroundings.
She did indeed, look different that night. After a significant argument with her mother, 3rd Imperial Consort Empress Valentina Li Britannia, the fashionista of the Britannian Empire, she had been forced to dress in a different style then usual. She now, instead of her usual, easy to move in designer suit befitting a general, she wore a light Violet dress, strapless, with a beautiful shape to it, with matching high heels, with a diamond necklace and earrings. Her hair had been done in an up do, with a spring of her amethyst hair down the side of her right face. She had her nails done, and had even spent an hour on her make up.
For the first time in all her 15 years, she had felt...Cornelia brought her eyes down, shaking those thoughts from her head, as her gaze settled on her father, 98th Emperor Charles Di Britannia, dancing with his 5th Imperial Consort Empress Marianne Vi Britannia. Her eyes softened at the sight of her, as she saw Marianne, one of her idols, smile like a child as she looked up at her father, who offered a wane smile back as they swung around the room. Cornelia felt a pang of jealousy in her chest. How could she manage to stay the strong and confident woman she was, and yet retain all her feminine characteristics?
She paused as she felt someone sit down next to her. Turning to see who is was, her eyes met with the emerald eyes of her other idol, the famous Knightmare frame pilot.
"Lady Mai..." she smiled weakly, immediately sitting up straighter, pulling a smile on her face while smoothing her dress. This did not fool Lady Mai, Honorary Knight, also known as 'Samurai Mai' on her frame.
"I have noticed something is wrong with you all evening. What is it?" she jumped straight into it, Cornelia did not give in so easily.
"What do you mean, I'm fine." she smiled, however, it was a rookie mistake she made. Her eyes wandered to her elder sister, The 1st Princess Guinevere Su Britannia, dancing with a young man on the dancefloor, smiling flirtatiously. Lady Mai's eyes followed, as she let out a sigh of realisation.
"It was Guinevere again, wasn't it?" Cornelia's eyes fell to the floor in defeat. "What did she do this time?" Cornelia swallowed, trying to maintain some dignity.
"It...it was quite childish actually, nothing at all..." Lady Mai narrowed her eyes, taking her hand in hers. Cornelia stared into her emerald eyes in shock.
"Nothing is childish if it hurts." she said softly, placing a hand on Cornelia's cheek momentarily. "What happened?" Cornelia swallowed again before continuing.
"Well...I saw her before the Ball began...and she told me I looked ridiculous..." Cornelia nearly hit herself as she felt tears well. Ridiculous. "I didn't look like a proper princess...or act like one ether..." Cornelia let a small laugh break through. "Which I don't. I don't even know why I bothered trying anyway..." Lady Mai was silent for a moment, taking this in.
"Cornelia." she said softly, not taking her emerald eyes off her. "You aren't a Princess." Cornelia reared back in shock at this. "What? Of course I am!" she argued. Lady Mai shook her head slightly, a small smile on her face.
"You are a Princess in name only, Cornelia." she smiled, not relinquishing her hand. "Guinevere is a Princess." she agreed, looking at the person in question. "She acts like a Princess, she speaks like a Princess, she looks like a Princess." Cornelia felt her heart drop as she said this.
"You," Lady Mai continued, "do not act like a Princess. You act like a Knight." Cornelia blinked in surprise.
"A...Knight?" she repeated. Lady Mai nodded smiling. "Instead of lazing about the palace, like Guinevere, you came to me and Marianne demanding to be taught how to work a Knightmare." she smiled. "Instead of wearing dresses, you wear clothes befitting a Knight. Strong, proud." she shook her head. "No, you are not a Princess, Cornelia. You are a Knight. A warrior. You live to protect all those around you." she smiled.
"And believe me Cornelia, I am not wrong. In Japan, we had people like Knights. The Samurai. My family," she smiled. "were great Samurai. I suppose that's how I got my name!" she smiled again. "I know one when I see one, Cornelia." Cornelia stared at her dumbfounded.
"Your Pride, Cornelia," she continued, "defines who you are. It is Knight's pride that makes them who they are." Cornelia felt a smile twitch onto her mouth, as she allowed Lady Mai to embrace her.
"And you look beautiful. She is jealous. Look at those ridiculous feathers in her hair..." she whispered as an afterthought. This ripped a laugh from Cornelia that rebounded around the hall.
'Just you wait Lady Mai...' Cornelia found herself promising herself as she stared at the Ghettos.
'I'll make a Japan that you would be proud of. You and Amaya.' Cornelia clenched her fists as her eyes narrowed.
'Even if it means crushing Zero.' and with that, she spun and strided from the room, remembering there was a shipment that might contain the drug 'Refrain', coming in 2 hours...and she would be prepared to intercept it.
"These Knightmares really are amazing!" Kallen smirked over the loudspeaker to Amaya, just behind her in her own. "Each one is an army into itself!" Amaya grinned wanly to herself, that day noticing Kallen acting strangely. It was a relief to see her act herself in a Knightmare, stopping Refrain dealers dealing with Elevens.
'How dare they?' she felt like hissing. 'They know how vulenrable they are at the moment...who wouldn't want to live those days again, before colonization, Elevens, Britannia...' she watched as Kallen burst through the iron rail door, which they supposed contained the blunt of the drug.
Amaya froze though, as Kallen suddenly stopped...and Amaya saw why. This area did not contain the drug...but rather...it's users...
Amaya's night time visual popped up on screen, as she saw, painfully, Elevens, 10's of them, all in this one room, connected to their old world.
"I did it! I'm studying abroad!"
"I can't believe it! I'm getting married next week!"
"I got promoted! I don't believe it!"
"Japan...oh, the country is so beautiful this time of year!"
Amaya felt her heart ache as she watched them, reliving their best moments in life...suddenly hating Britannia more then she ever had. Then one person caught her attention...
"Careful, it's dangerous to run like that!" Amaya froze as she stared at someone who also grasped Kallen's attention, wandering fretfully in front of the Knightmares, lost in her own world. She looked...framiliar...
'No...' Amaya's eyes widened as she grasped where she had seen her before. Who she looked woman tripped as she fell over, caught by Kallen, who cried,
'Mother?!" in surprise, and obvious shock. Amaya did not know what to do. Her hands were shaking. 'The poor woman...' should she do something?
"Really Naoto please, I need you to keep an eye on your little sister!" 'Oh Kallen...' her heart broke for her. And then the gunfire started.
Startled, Amaya saw a Knight Police Knightmare. "What the...?" she gasped, manouvering to cover Kallen and the Elevens.
"The Knight Police?!" Kallen cried out, as Amaya overtook her.
"Take your mother and go!" Amaya yelled. "I'll cover you!" she shouted as she aimed at the frame, which had started after Kallen, speeding around the corner. Amaya aimed, and smirked as she got it, slowing it down momentarily, allowing her to catch up to it's side. She saw Kallen struggle while holding her mother, who she realised, was blocking her gun as she was in her right hand.
"Damn it! I don't need you!" Kallen yelled to Amaya's shock. "I DON'T WANT YOU!" this struck a nerve in Amaya as she slammed into the corrupted Police frame, taking it to the side, just as Kallen's frame succumbed to the shot to it's side.
Amaya gasped in shock as the frame took her down too, skidding across the ground, as the frame got back on it's feet, re aiming at Kallen. "No!" she gasped, as she stuggled to heave herself back up.
"I'm here for you Kallen...I'm here for you...I'm here for you as I always have been!" Amaya hit her slash hadrons, as the enemy frame made it's way to Kallen, moving in for the killer shot...she aimed true, as she dragged the frame back to her, aiming relentlessly accurate at it as she did so, making sure that after precisely 14 second of hitting it's vital spot, it's chest plate, it promptly exploded at a safe distance from Kallen.
However it did blow her 13 feet backwards, as she was ejected for safety. Yet as she crawled out, helped by the Black Knights, all asking urgently if she was alright, her eyes never left Kallen. Even as Zero neared in concern, he too paused to watch what she was.
"So this is her mother, is it?" he asked quietly, crossing his arms while taking in the scene.
"She's lucky..." she said softly, as he stood next to her, as both watched Kallen check her mother's vitals.
"To have a mother with her..." Zero must have thought she was crazy. However, to her shock, she felt his hand touch her shoulder.
"She is." he said simply. "A mother is a vital part of anyone's life...they act as a guardian. To protect us from the world." Amaya nodded in silent agreement. "If one loses a mother...it leaves a permanent black hole, wouldn't you say?" Amaya turned, ideas crossing her mind.
"Zero, you describe the feeling so well...have you lost a mother?" Zero did not respond, simply turned and walked back to the destroyed fragments of her Knightmare, leaving an intrigued Amaya to turn back to a shocked Kallen.
Amaya made her way to Kallen, placing a hand on her shoulder and bending down. "She'll be fine, Kallen." she said, as she watched Kallen fumble with her phone to call an ambulance.
"What?! Look at her, I mean-"
"Kallen, it's the after effects of the Refrain. She'll be fine with a little rest." Kallen nodded, putting her phone away, turning back to her mother. Amaya was silent for a moment.
"...You shouldn't take her for granted, Kallen." she said softly, as Kallen stared at her. "You never know what you have...until one day...it's gone..." Amaya's eyes drifted to Zero again, who was standing still by the Knightmare, listening to Ohgi talking about repairs. Kallen nodded weakly, as her eyes began to turn to her mother.
"I-I'm sorry, Okaa-san..." she whispered, grasping her hand. "I promise, I'll make a world where we can live normally together! I promise you!" Amaya smiled sadly at her as she watched her mother reach out a hand to Kallen.
"Hang in there, Kallen...my little girl..." Kallen gasped out of shock as her eyes filled with tears as a small smile came on.
"I will!" she smiled, as she grasped her mother's hand back, as Amaya stood, leaving them a few moments of peace, not wanting to admit her jelousy of Kellen.
This was why she hated Refrain.
Because to Refrain only leads to pain...
And so ends chapter 9!
okay I have something to confess...I gave you all a really long chapter for a reason...I have ulterior motives...
This is chapter 10, And we're on 85 reviews, which is excellent!
However...
In celebration for the 10th chapter, I want to try to get to 100 reviews...
anyone wanna help me out?
REVIEW.
xoxo
mostrandomgirl92