Title: Higanbana

Pairing: Ohgi x Lelouch

Summary: The equinox flower symbolized bewitching, unluckiness, grief, parting, and death. Falling in love with an amnesiac Zero; Ohgi wonders if this is Mother Nature's way of teaching him that even the most inauspicious of her creations are still beautiful.

Disclaimer: Sunrise owns Code Geass and all I own is this piece of fan fiction and I make no money writing this whatsoever. So please don't sue me.

Warnings: M-Rated. Slash

Additional Warnings: OOCness. Written in spare of the moment, like always, so expect tons of grammar and spelling errors.

Part 14

"Rei?"

Ohgi couldn't help but stare bewilderedly at the teenager who was the face behind Zero's mask. How did he get here so quickly? Just a moment ago he was taunting Mao on screen from his location at Tokyo Tower. It was impossible for the youth to even be here in Clovisland only a matter of seconds later and accompanied by the Knight Police rather than the other Black Knights.

"It…It can't be!" Mao stammered as he seemed to single out Rei among the many officers who had their weapons trained on him. "How… HOW?"

The Black Knight slowly stood and stared back and forth between the two and the Britannians who seemed oblivious to the whole confrontation. What was also odd to Ohgi was that they didn't even seem to notice him. Here he was, an Eleven who was splattered with blood with a murder weapon in reach. He was the perfect scapegoat and not one of them had spared him a second glance.

Now holding C.C. close to his chest, Rei lifted his head and stared at the hysterical mad man on stage. Not a word escaped the youth's lips as they tugged upwards into a superior smirk. Mao's jaw seemingly unhinged as his eyes grew impossibly wide as his mind struggled to process what had happened.

"That's a lie! You were talking … answering me!" Mao shrieked while making a wild gesture towards the wreckage the monitors had been reduced to. Then his eyes met with Rei's once more and went rigid. Seeing his leader's lips widen further into a smug smile, Ohgi knew there was some sort of communication going on between him and the man who was being held at gunpoint by several police officers.

"You? You were predicting my answers?"

It suddenly started to make a little sense to the confused former school teacher. If a recording had been made in advance, then Rei would have had enough time to prepare for this strange operation. But how could this boy predict everything his enemy was going to say?

"Don't mess with me you brat Even if the police take me in, I'll just get out!" Mao lashed out at the air, eyes bulging from his face. "Shut up all of you! I'm no Refrain junkie! Don't you dare insult me!

A few seconds of silence passed, and all the color drained from Mao's face. The silver haired man was practically hyperventilating. His crazed eyes darted to practically every officer present and then he screamed in outrage before pointing directly at the source of his madness.

"You haven't won yet, I won't end here… I still can beat you!"

Ohgi stiffened as Rei, carrying C.C. – who was now very much alive and was insisting they talk some sense into the madman - turned towards him and inclined his head forward. Swallowing hard, the Black Knight understood and quickly climbed to his feet. He almost collapsed back down when Mao continued to shout.

"Hey you pigs! That's the terrorist you've been looking for! He's…"

The lone Eleven tensed as he expected the Knight Police to quickly turn their weapons and gun them down. He glanced back up at the young Britannian once more who actually looked pleased about being exposed. Not one of those heavily armed officers turned back to look at them.

"Fire!"

Ohgi quickly braced himself as he turned away from the sight of Mao being gunned down.

The silence is deafening even as the bullets fly. Blood soaks through cracked concrete and into the earth below. With terror-filled eyes he can see crimson bubble up towards the surface. The stem grows above rotting corpses and a blood red flower blooms.

He could feel the warm morning rays of sunlight press against his closed eyelids, and reluctantly was drawn back into the waking world. His mouth opened and released a long satisfied yawn and was strangely contented as a pair of familiar arms tightened about his waist. Slowly, Kaname Ohgi, opened his eyes and stared up at an unfamiliar ceiling.

This was not his bedroom, his mind concluded right away. The bed felt larger, far more comfortable and warm compared to the one he usually slept in. He reached out hesitantly and his one of his hands came across something soft and plush. A pillow? He wondered while bringing it closer or inspection.

A bright yellow monstrosity with a black top hat stared back down at him. Sort of. The thing didn't really have eyes. Just black squiggles for lids and a mouth.

"Ahem."

Immediately, his gaze turned from the plush yellow blob to meet a pair of irritated golden eyes. C.C.'s frown deepened but she did not move to lift her head from the pillow; her pale and youthful face only mere inches away from his own. How in the world did they end up in the same bed together?

"That is my Cheeze-kun," she said while nodding to the Pizza Hut mascot clutched in his hands. "Return him."

Startled by the girl's sudden hostility, Ohgi obediently complied. Her expression softened instantly as she hugged the stuffed thing to her chest. Meeting his bewildered stare with nonchalance, C.C. nodded to something over his other shoulder.

"Your bedtime buddy is over there."

Ohgi turned his head, following her gaze, and stared back at Rei's sleeping face. His eyes widened, jaw unhinged. He heard C.C. chuckle at his comical expression, but paid it no mind. Being in bed next to his lover had always been a blessing and a curse. He loved the feel of Rei's lithe body pressed against his and dreaded for the moment when Zero would re-emerge and stab him in the back. But now, Rei was Zero… and this was obviously his room. Who knew what kind of weapons the teenage terrorist had in his arsenal?

The large bed creaked when he sat up. Those slender arms around his midsection fell away and he was free. He would have liked to jump out of bed and run to the nearest exit if it wasn't for one important thing.

"What happened to my clothes?" the former leader of a Japanese resistance cell demanded with an embarrassing high-pitched shriek for a man his age. Ohgi didn't care what he sounded like, pulling a sheet over his boxer-clad semi-naked body, as both his eyes frantically looked about the large bedroom.

"So noisy," a tired male's voice remarked.

He looked down as violet orbs stared up at him with annoyance. Then Ohgi's gaze lowered to the Britannian teen's equally nearly nude state, and blushed up to his hairline. He glanced back at C.C. who was wearing nothing but a long men's shirt and a sly smile.

"We… we didn't… we couldn't have done…!"

"…A threesome?" C.C. innocently inquired. "Well actually a foursome, we can't forget Cheeze-kun after all."

The only adult present buried his Gurren-red face into his hands. There was absolutely no justice in the world. A comforting hand touched his shoulder and hesitantly he looked up to the other teenager, the one he actually remembered sleeping with.

"Relax," Rei shook his head in exasperation with a small teasing smile upon his boyishly handsome face, "all we did was sleep. I had the liberty of having your clothes to be cleaned; they were covered in blood after all. Unfortunately, I didn't have anything here that would fit you."

Blood... That's right, C.C. died protecting him the other night. Killed by the crazed man, Mao, who had professed his love for her as Ohgi cradled her corpse. If his memory served him correctly; Mao met his end by firing squad, while she was in bed with two males and very much alive. Had her death been some sort of trick then? Blood bags meant to explode at just the right time? It wouldn't surprise him.

"Where exactly is here?" he asked instead, looking around once more.

"Ashford Academy."

For some reason he was surprised that Zero had actually answered him. The name instantly rang as the color drained from his face. This was the rich and extravagant academy for Britannians. He knew of it because a particular Ace of the Black Knights attended this very school. His questioning eyes met Zero's who nodded in response.

"Yes… and my civilian persona is acquainted well with Kallen Stadtfeld."

He couldn't believe it. His best friend's little sister had been going to school with the founder of the Black Knights this entire time. Unknowingly socializing with him. Living a double life with him. His insides suddenly felt like lead as he forced the next question passed his lips.

"Does she know?"

The raven-haired youth shook his head much to Ohgi's unexplained relief. "She suspected at one time before my debut as Zero; but I've managed to abate those suspicions by being in two places at once."

"Except when you both went missing at the same time," C.C. reminded as she rolled over with her back to both males. "You owe me for taking care of that mess and much more, boy."

"Fine, fine, I'll call Pizza Hut when they open." Rei climbed out of bed, showing off those short black briefs he remembered so well. No! Ohgi's brain shouted as blood began to gather down between his legs. Quickly he reached out and smothered his lap with a pillow. Think un-sexy and un-pedophilic thoughts!

He kept his eyes lowered so he wouldn't have to see the other's superior smirk and cursed the boy for being a Britannian brat.

"Do you have any more questions?"

He had hundreds, but there was one that needed to be answered right away.

"…When can I have my clothes back?"

Zero's Japanese maid regards him suspiciously even after he is introduced as the 'charity case' her master picked up at the casino the other night. Ohgi bristles inwardly, but manages to smile and nod in a humble manner. She obviously doesn't buy the story but complies when given the order to set an extra plate at the table.

He really wanted to leave. It was all too surreal being in Zero's house, that was a hell of a lot nicer than his shabby apartment; but he wasn't too keen on meeting with anyone else who lived here. The Black Knight didn't need anymore hostile and suspicious stares, like the one the maid was giving him and kept his gaze trained on the floor.

The door hissed open to reveal the dinning room and Ohgi stopped in his tracks upon seeing there was someone already sitting inside. He couldn't help but stop and stare at lone little girl seated in a wheel chair who turned to face them. Her eyes were closed as if she were sleeping while sitting up.

"Good morning, Nunnally."

Ohgi almost did a double take at the change in his leader's voice that was filled with warmth and affection. He watched, transfixed, how the man responsible for killing a Britannian Prince walked up and lovingly embraced the unseeing girl about the shoulders, giving her a chaste kiss upon her forehead. Her smile widened as her thinner arms reached up and wrapped around his.

"Good morning, big brother."

'Big brother…?'

Not wanting to intrude on such a heart warming moment that he never expected to see, Ohgi remained standing in the doorway. C.C. had no such reservation and walked straight in. At the sound of her approaching footsteps, the blind little girl lifted her head and faced the doorway again.

"Is that you, C.C.?" the young girl named Nunnally inquired.

"Good morning, Nunnally."

Even the nonchalant tone of Zero's white shadow seemed a bit warmer to Ohgi's ears. He knew it was rude, not that she would notice; but he couldn't help but stare at the resistance leader's little sister who chatted happily to C.C. across the table. It wasn't strange for him to know that her brother was in the kitchen, helping with the meal.

A torrent of emotions bombarded the Japanese rebel as he remained frozen in place outside the room. Despair, envy, and guilt were the top three. Both Zero and Rei were now a huge part of his life, and it hurt knowing that the feeling was far from mutual. Just seeing Nunnally – he knew she was the reason Zero wanted to destroy his homeland. The girl was the antitheses of what Britannia stood for: strength and power; there was no way she could thrive on her own. He couldn't help feel incredibly selfish, for needing her brother more.

Swallowing hard, he turned to walk away…

"Hello?"

Ohgi stopped in mid-step. Although he wanted to race towards the exit, the retreating older man found himself looking back. His face flushed with shame; like a child being caught eavesdropping. The young wheelchair bound girl's head was facing him now, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Who's there?" she inquired with gentle curiosity.

The lump in his throat made it difficult to speak. He turned towards C.C. for help, but the pizza loving witch was too amused by the sight of him obviously intimidated by a sightless child. Tamaki was right, she really was a witch.

"Uh… he..hello," he responded weakly after finding his voice. "I didn't mean to intrude."

"Who are you?"

"…My name is Kaname Ohgi, and I'm…"

Nunnally waited patiently for the newcomer to continue after trailing off, seemingly unaffected by his Japanese name. Ohgi wasn't sure how to proceed and was going to make some lame excuse to leave when third person in the room finally spoke.

"He's a special friend of your brother's."

The corner of C.C.'s mouth lifted into a teasing smirk as Ohgi's cheeks flushed crimson and shot her a reproachful look. Unaware of the exchange, Nunnally finally smiled and beckoned him to approach with one hand.

"Oh, I hope I didn't startle you," she apologized. "Please to make your acquaintance. My name is Nunnally Lamperouge. I'm Lelouch's little sister."

Lelouch?

Ohgi blinked and suddenly remembered that was the name that madman, Mao, had called Zero. He felt incredibly stupid for not picking up on it until now. However, it was a relief to know the boy's name at last, even if in his mind he'll always be 'Rei'. Still he couldn't test the name on his own tongue.

"Lelouch..."

The former school teacher realized two things: that he liked how the name Lelouch sounded even if it wasn't Japanese; and that he had spoke it out loud in front of an audience.

"Yes?"

His head automatically swiveled towards the entrance to the kitchen and tried not to gape as the said Britannian appeared, carrying a tray of food. Unearthly violet eyes regarded him for moment before the teen silently ordered Ohgi to sit down with a hard look and a jerk of his chin towards the unoccupied chair next to C.C.

He wanted to protest but the maid from earlier stepped out from behind Lelouch, like a living shadow, to bar his escape route. Swallowing hard, he reluctantly bottled up his frustration, and wordlessly obeyed. He refused to look at anyone in his room, opting to glare at his reflection in the porcelain.

"So how did you and meet, Lelouch?" Nunnally asked while her older sibling who was leaning over the table and delicately plated her breakfast.

"At one of my games last night," he answered smoothly. "He was down on his luck, so I thought I'd help out."

Ohgi looked up and marveled how effortlessly the teen could lie without hesitation. Well maybe it wasn't a lie. Rei… Lelouch had set Mao up, taking him out while saving both him and C.C. at the same time. The Black Knight still wasn't sure how the boy managed to pull that off with the Knight Police present.

"Always such a prince," C.C. mused which earned a stern glare look from Lelouch and a giggle from his sister. She ignored the lethal look directed at her and bit into a slice of pizza that had materialized out of nowhere.

'How is she not the size of a Knightmare?' Ohgi wondered as he stared at her in sheer disbelief. He hadn't notice that Lelouch had moved beside him, and was suddenly startled as the boy set down a plate that was no longer empty.

"Thank you," he whispered and looked up. His eyes met with the younger man's. For a single moment he was transported back to his apartment, happily enjoying his meals with Rei who had transformed changed from a faceless fearsome leader to the love his life in such a short span of time.

The pleasant moment ended abruptly, when Lelouch turned away from him to sit beside his young sibling.

" was a teacher," he informed Nunnally while helping her eat. "Since he's not very good at gambling, I offered him a job."

What?

Ohgi nearly dropped his utensils, hunger forgotten and replaced with anxiety. What was Zero planning now, and without his consent?

"Oh? What kind of job?" the blind girl asked while completely missing her brother's devious smirk directed towards their guest.

"A live-in tutor."

Author's Note:

Yeah I'm still going to continue this story, sorry that it's been so long. Atlus' Catherine is the reason for my long hiatus. It's an awesome game. The main character actually looks like Ohgi but he's voiced by Troy Baker - Schneizel's English dub voice actor (Lelouch and Suzaku's voice actors are also in the game).