-Sniff- Well, this is the last offical chapter of "Tribulation had no Tourniquet". Thank you all so much for all of your support and reviewing so much for me. I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am to have such awesome people reviewing, reading, favoriting and subscribing for me. I love you guys so much and I will read/review for your fan fictions too in order to return the favor. :D Alright, my last Thank yous for this story go to the awesome: Invader Designia, brunettebookwork14, DarkFlame Alchemist and Usagi323 plus everyone else that has ever reviewed for this story, favorited etc. etc. Okay, here is the last chapter and I hope you like the ending! I worked hard on it and I hope it meets the expectations. If not, well, too bad. XD Lol. Enjoy now!! ^-^
There's always a point in one person's life where they feel as if the whole world is crashing down on them. They experience perpetual pain, nothing but all the sadness in the world following them...the thoughts of ending their life on their own may cross their mind. Sometimes they know they don't deserve the suffering they are experiancing...sometimes they think they deserve it as a punishment for their sins. The lowest point in the person' life can cause them to be driven to insanity because they feel so alone and abandoned...but...as long as you have something to live for...whether that something be a person...a dream or vow you have to keep...the bottom line is...no matter who or what you lose, there is always a reason to continue living.
Isabella sat at the edge of the cliff, leg dangling lazily over the side, her Black Knight uniform on and her hair flowing freely in the wind. The lullaby of the waves underneath the cliff brought her a peace of mind and Isabella closed her eyes, the sweet sea air surrounding her. Her mind wandered back to her past, the now bittersweet memories of herself, Nunnally, Lelouch and Suzaku as children having no worries in the world but to be carefree and enjoy their innocent days. She missed those days and wanted them to come back...no war...no loss...no blood or dying...just laughter and love...the feeling of always being together and never having to worry about losing someone.
Isabella leaned back on her hand and closed her eyes, the salty air calming her as she continued reflecting on her childhood. She missed the horse races Suzaku and Lelouch would have and cheering with Nunnally as the two boys would whisk passed the two girls like valiant knights on the stallions and sitting at the edge of the lake with Lelouch, talking about fairy tales and enjoying skipping the flat rocks across the glassy surface of the crystal lake and then Suzaku and Nunnally teasing them both about how they were going to get married one day and have many kids...Isabella smiled at that, a tear dripping from her eye despite her smile. As a child, she would always jump to her feet, her face bright red, and chase Suzaku around the lawn until she tackled him to the ground and pummeled him even though in the back of her mind, marrying Lelouch in the future was what she wanted most in life.
I love you, Lelouch Lamperouge.
"Japan..." she breathed, "I'm so glad you're back."
He's a hero...
Isabella exhaled passionately and heard light footsteps behind her, muffled by the lush grass. Isabella smiled to herself, her green eyes opening and then turned around, her eyes meeting the violet face mask of Zero.
"You've done it," she appluaded, "you've done it."
Seven Days Previously...
The sun shone above the world as it had done any other day, Isabella standing outside the palace, awaiting the royal carriage's arrival. Despite the sun, Isabella forced herself to choke back cries and by the looks of it, Kallen was as well. Kallen was parallel from the immortal, her sapphire eyes glimmering with tears as the echoing sound of the horse's steady trot became less distant. Isabella did her best to keep her posture, bowing as the carriage came closer then rolled a few feet passed her.
Stay strong...everything will be fine, she feebly convinced herself and watched as Kallen was quietly lead away but two guards, Isabella having to rip her eyes from her friend to keep from bursting at the seams.
"His Majesty Lelouch vi Britannia," the footman announced and opened the door, Isabella once again bowing deeply, voiceless, as the emperor stepped out of the carriage and towards her.
"My lord," she greeted and she could see the abyssal uneasiness in Lelouch's violet eyes when she had called him by the title.
Isabella waited until the carriage was steered away, the horse directed back to the stables, and then walked with Lelouch back into the castle. Her heart felt like it was being twisted and her stomach knotted, she had just found out he had taken all the Black Knights as prisoners, the only exception being herself. She knew that was where Kallen was guided to just now, and Isabella felt a stubborn tear drip out of her eye as she crossed over the threshold with Lelouch. Neither said a word, the immortal remaining a few steps ahead of her lover and they walked across the marble floor to the stair case.
"Lelouch," Isabella cut the burdensome silence after they had reached the stairwell, "I'm confused."
He was wordless and she didn't make eye contact with him as they started to climb the stairs, Isabella being one above him.
"You've taken your own followers as prisoners and plan a public execution. Your own followers...what is this? Another step in your plan or have you really become...one of them?"
A few more steps and Lelouch still did not answer. Isabella felt annoyed with his silence and whipped around on the top step.
"Answer me Lelouch!" she cried, but he only stared at her blankly.
"You're not going to defend or explain yourself?! What is going on?!" Isabella bleed, her dead, green eyes shining. "You're planning to kill them?! What are you going to do?! I am not losing faith in you...I know everything you do is for a reason, but this--" Isabella gripped the front of his robes, not realizing she had tears rushing down her face and buried her face in his chest. "I don't know what to think...I won't lose faith in you...but do you really plan on killing them?"
Lelouch's arms wrapped around her and she kept her face secreted in his robes.
"I told you I wouldn't let you go through anymore pain, didn't I?"
Isabella paused to listen to him, her eyes shining and she clung to him. He kissed her ebony hair and she made herself stand back up straight and wiped her tears away. Lelouch caressed her face and pushed back a strand of her hair, his own eyes glistening.
"Isabella," Lelouch soothed and stepped up one more stair so he was eye level with her, "I know I shouldn't ask this but..."
Isabella felt her heart pound painfully against her ribs as Lelouch pulled out a small, velvet black box and held it between them.
"I got you this a while ago...I planned to ask sooner...the day you got your memories back to be honest but I couldn't get the timing right. Isabella, I love you and I don't want you to think you're alone anymore," Lelouch said and opened the box, revealing a gold ring with three emeralds sparkling on top of it. Isabella felt her breath catch in her throat as she stared at it, unable to say anything.
"Lelouch...I--"
"It's okay; whatever you have to say, it's alright," Lelouch told her and touched her face with his free hand.
"I--I can't--marrying you means becoming empress...and then only to lose you..." Isabella gripped his hand lightly with her own and kept her eyes on his, "I am dying my first death as a Black Knight...remaining faithful to Zero and the side I have been fighting on since the very beginning. I will continue on in your legacy, Lelouch."
The emperor pressed his lips together, Isabella knowing she had just twisted a knife in his heart but she knew that it would hurt more for both of them to marry then be seperated on the same day. It was selfish and she knew it...she didn't want to become a wife only to be a widow that next day...she wouldn't be able to bear it. Isabella loved Lelouch and he knew it...but due to the circumstances, there was no way she would be able to enjoy her own wedding with the fact that Lelouch would die shortly after nagging at her.
"Take it with you," Lelouch whispered finally and held the ring nearer to her, "just take it as a memory of me. It was cruel to ask you to do something like marrying--"
Isabella cut him off, her lips crushing against his desperately. She locked her arms around his waist, the emperor almost falling back down the stairs but the immortal kept him balance. Isabella's lips lightened against his, the violet eyes closing to return her sudden kiss, her hands starting to run through his hair and she let her tears flood down her face. Lelouch's hands were on her back, his tears mixing with hers, lips moving in the same intense rhythm as Isabella's and he held her so close to him, he could feel her heart beating steadily in her chest. Lelouch let the fiery tears leak out of his eyes and he curled his fingers against Isabella's shirt, as if pleading her to never allow him from the warm, comforting embrace of her arms.
I don't want to leave you...
Neither of them wanted the kiss to end for it may have been their last...Isabella's tongue caressing his...their lips moving in that slow, loving rhythm...Isabella's cool hands running through Lelouch's hair and his fingers lacing with her ebony waves...their tears mixing together like a bond...both of them feeling as if it was going to a supernatural force to seperate them. He didn't want to let go of her...Lelouch wished the war had never began...if it had never started then the two of them would have been able to live a happy life together...get married...have children of their own...but that was only a fantasy the two of them could dream of now.
This war has made me realize how much you mean to me...
"Lelouch," Isabella mumbled through his lips as the kiss slowed and he kissed the corner of her mouth tenderly.
"No matter what happens to me, Isabella, promise me one thing," Lelouch asked into her ear and she nodded, "don't give up hope."
Isabella clung to him, no longer able to keep her quiet sobs inside of her and Lelouch held her as she cried.
"I don't want you to leave me...I can't picture a life or future without you!" she wept into his robes and he stroked her hair.
"I promise everything will be alright...we won't be parted forever..." Lelouch tried to assure her but had a hard time believing it himself. His own tears flowed onto Isabella's black hair, and she held him close to her, not wanting to ever let go. Maybe it was five minutes or even an hour they stood their in each other's arms, crying silently together, and Isabella reluctantly pulled away from him.
"Before the executions taking place tomorrow morning...I want to go see Tamaki and the other Black Knights," she swallowed and raised her hand to his cheek. Lelouch turned his head into her hand, his own coming up and holding it, fingers beginning to intertwine between hers.
"Very well," he told her quietly and Isabella kept new tears from spilling out of her eyes. She began to walk away, her hand unhurriedly sliding down Lelouch's face and her fingertips gliding over his palm and fingertips as his arm stretched out to keep the contact as long as he could. Isabella continued up the stairs, her fists half curled and Lelouch kept his eyes on the stair in front of him. He feared if he so much as glanced at his most loyal follower, he'd begin chase after her and beg her to not go...to stay with him for how ever much time they had together.
Don't...Lelouch scolded himself, don't make this any harder on her than it already is.
"I won't give up on you, Lelouch," Isabella promised and Lelouch's eyes automatically looked up at her, "no matter what may happen, I will carry on the legacy of Zero and keep his name stainless. The world will remain how you've fought for it to be. That's...my final vow to you."
Isabella turned back around to face him and slid the emerald ring on her finger.
"I love you, Lelouch Lamperouge."
Lelouch's eyes widened at the sound of his former name and the two paused, Isabella bowing her head then continued up the stairs, her back to him once more.
"Good bye, Lelouch."
"Good bye, Isabella," Lelouch echoed and watched her slowly but nobly walk back up the rest of the staircase, her shining, ebony hair flowing gracefully around her hips. She only looked back once, meeting his painful, violet eyes, then she had disappeared out the door and out of sight.
"I love you too, Isabella Liberata."
Lelouch gritted his teeth and covered his eyes with his hands, unable to control the rebellious tears.
In the Prison...
"I am having a really hard time trying to figure out what the hell is going on," Tamaki grumbled as he paced back and forth in the cell he was sharing with Ohgi and Kallen.
"Everything has just flipped...I have no idea what to believe either," Ohgi put in and Isabella remained silent, her eyes closing.
"You really just need to trust Lelouch, he knows what he's doing," Kallen snapped at them both and Isabella leaned against the wall, one leg brought up to her chest and arm laying over it, her other leg stretched out in front of her.
"Isabella, you know Lelouch better than anyone. What are your thoughts?" Tamaki asked and Isabella opened her dead eyes.
"I honestly am not certain either."
Tamaki noticed the heavy, distant note in her voice and the ring around her finger, his heart jolting. He pressed his lips together and sat down next to her, attempting to bring her comfort.
"Isabella, why didn't you marry him? You'd be able to have such an easy life and be with the one you belong with," he asked her and Isabella touched her ring.
"I'm going to die my first death as a Black Knight," the immortal half whispered loyally, "Lelouch knows I love him more than anyone and I'll never love someone else the way I love him. He's the reason I am alive and the reason I keep living without giving up," Isabella told him and Tamaki pushed back a strand of her ebony hair.
"If there was any way we could all prevent this, trust me we would," Tamaki said, his arm snaking around her shoulders and Isabella rested her head on his shoulder.
"I know you would. You spoil me, Tamaki-onii," Isabella sighed and Tamaki held her against him.
"I hate seeing you go through this."
"Everything will be okay..." Isabella assured him even though she didn't believe it herself and cuddled close to Tamaki like a younger sister. "I trust Lelouch. Everything will be fine."
Remaining in their silence, Kallen and Ohgi both had to agree with the immortal.
I have faith in you Lelouch...
The Following Morning...
The sun blazed in the cloudless sky, the air dry and hot. It seemed as if every citizen in Japan had crowded around the closed street to watch for the Demon Emperor to make his appearance with his hostages. Isabella stood among the sea of people, her eyes searching for Lelouch to come over the hill with the Black Knights to lead them to their execution and her heart pounded crazily in her chest. She weaved through the wall of bodies, occasionally catching pieces of hushed conversations, trying not to pay much attention to them.
"He's gone mad...the Demon Emporer," a man whispered from beside Isabella and his friend gave him a shove.
"If anyone hears you, they could turn you over to him!"
"Even so...he's lost his mind...even the people that are against him the most said they never expected him to do something like this..."
"Maybe it was the loss of a lover."
Isabella pushed passed them, her heart racing at the statement and came nearer to the main road where the crowd had thinned. Her heart was pounding as she could see the tip of the float like structure beginning to roll over the crest of the hill, the Black Knights all imprisoned on the right and Nunnally at the foot of the platform of Lelouch's throne, a slide-like structure separating them.
"Lelouch...what are you doing...?" Isabella wondered aloud when she had seen Nunnaly, dressed in red and seemed to have black collars around her wrists, ankles and neck. "Kallen..."
The deep red haired girl was focusing straight ahead, not making eye contact with the crowd, but she kept what was left of her dignity. Her head was also spinning, wondering why Lelouch had betrayed his own followers, and she searched the crowd for Isabella, hoping the ebony haired Knight would step in and stop him.
"Tamaki..." Isabella breathed, Kallen not spotting her just yet, and the immortal bit her lip.
Everyone Isabella had fought with was chained up as prisoners, awaiting their public execution and Isabella searched the crowd and street to see if anyone was making attempts to stop this. She thought of doing so herself, but she remembered her place and reminded herself that Lelouch had a reason for doing everything he did. Even so, was he really going to allow her to watch her closet friends and him die?
"Isabella, what's happened to him?" a familiar voice asked and Isabella executed the idea of stepping out into the street.
"Rivalz, what are you doing here?"
The blue haired teen slicked back a stray hair and cast his gaze down at the cement, confused as anyone else surrounding him.
"I wanted to see if what everyone was saying was true...about Lelouch going mad...I thought he would..." Rivalz trailed off and Isabella laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Just trust him. You know who Lelouch truely is...don't go losing faith now," she whispered and then heard several people gasp.
"Zero, it's Zero!"
"Our Savior! Zero!"
Isabella turned her head around, her eyes focusing down the street and only yards away from her, stood the masked knight, Zero.
"Impossible!" she cried, Rivalz mouth dropping open, "Lelouch--?!"
Isabella swung her head back up to the throne and saw Lelouch rise to his feet. She inhaled deeply, her eyes widening, and she refocused on the masked warrior.
"Now I understand."
On the other end, Zero whipped his cape out to his sides and began sprinting towards the float where Lelouch was. Knightmares before him aimed their guns at him and Isabella pushed free from the crowd, also running towards Lelouch as Zero zig zagged through many bullets being fired at him.
You have gotten Suzaku to do this for you...
Isabella continued running as Zero leaped onto a Knightmare and then jumped down.
"I'll take care of him!" Jeremiah bellowed over the unsuccessful Knightmares and whipped his blade out of his sleeve for combat.
Zero kicked him in the shoulder, making him fall onto his side. Zero brushed passed Isabella, knocking her out of the way and she stumbled to the ground, landing on her side.
"Gahh! Dammit!" she hissed and scrambled back up on all fours.
"Get the guards and hurry out there! Zero's almost in front of Nunnally!" Cornelia ordered to Violetta and her other subjects, the blinds closing and the princess turned around, tossing her cape aside before running for the door.
Zero jumped onto the platform in front of Nunnally, Isabella finally on her feet.
"LELOUCH!" she screamed, tears pouring from her eyes and Kallen felt a scream erupting out of her throat as she watched Zero, Isabella and Lelouch.
"LELOUCH! ZERO!" she shrieked, "DON'T KILL HIM! DON'T KILL HIM!"
He asked Suzaku to take his place as Zero...Isabella pieced together, tears flooding down her face.
"ISABELLA!" Tamaki yelled, Isabella ignoring him.
Jeremiah was on his feet and Zero was directly in front of Lelouch, Isabella screaming at them both. Nunnally stared up at the two men, her violet eyes horrified but she was unable to move, her paralysis hindering her to jump up and attempt to reach them.
"You--cretin!" Lelouch drew out his gun but Zero knocked it out of his hand and into the ari with his sword. Zero poised the blade and inside the mask, Suzaku could hear Kallen, Nunnally and Isabella's cries to not harm the tyrant standing in front of him.
Isabella...
"Suzaku, you're willing to become Zero and where a mask forever, being the defender of justice and sacrificing yourself for the good of others?" Lelouch asked.
"No...NO!" Isabella screamed, tears almost blinding her.
"Yes," Suzaku answered and took the mask from Lelouch's outstretched hands.
Lelouch gave the masked face an unnoticeable smile as a reassurance, as the blade became closer to him.
"DON'T KILL HIM! DON'T DIE! LELOUCH!" Isabella shrieked, her arms out in front of her and tears drenching her face.
"Then you'll erase my existence, just as planned. The hatred of the world is all placed on me and once you have gotten rid of the Demon Emporer, the world will be able to have the peace we have been fighting for it to have for so long. Everyone will be united through negotiation and talking rather than war and bloodshed."
"ONII-SAMA!" Nunnally gripped her face as she watch the blade of Zero lunge for her brother.
"What about Isabella and Nunnally?" Suzaku asked and Lelouch gave a faint but loving smile.
"They will have the lives they deserve...lives without wars and no more pain. They will have freedom beyond their dreams," was his answer and Suzaku held the mask close to him.
"Isabella will be in tormoil without you. You're her hero."
"Interesting girl, that Isabella. You have a lot to live up to...keeping the name of Zero stainless. It'll be more work keeping her off your case then actually keeping peace in the world."
Lelouch laughed lightly and Suzaku smiled.
"She loves you more than anyone else I've met."
"She's also very loyal. Never once has she ever doubted me, and I'm sure once you're Zero, she'll be the same way with you," Lelouch said and Suzaku closed his eyes for a brief moment then opened them again.
Isabella finally reached the float and was just a step away from being on it when Zero's sword was plunged into Lelouch's chest. She froze, not believing her eyes and the world seemed to hold its breath. Memories of her past with him flashed through her mind...running around care-freely with Lelouch as a child...the bright smiles and laughs...having him win her freedom from slavery...kissing Lelouch for the first time...
"Take care of her, Suzaku. Isabella has suffered so much, please take care of her. Nunnally as well," Lelouch said and Suzaku nodded.
"I will."
Fighting by his side in the war...every time they kissed...just being with him period...all those moments she held so dearly in her heart like her own mental scrapbook...those moments that always kept her going in life...her reason for living...was he really just going to be erased like that? Why Lelouch...why?!
"This is just a nightmare...it's just a nightmare...I'm going to wake up in Ashford Academy soon, Lelouch beside me..." Isabella tried to convince herself and her tears blurred her vision as she stepped onto the platform with Nunnally.
"Suzaku," Lelouch whispered, his hand on his stomach and blood gushing down hi pure white robes, "this...is also a punishment...you must always sacrifice your own happiness for others...and you're condemned to where a mask for eternity...but even so...you will be a hero...the defender of justice...you're the protector of the world..."
"Lelouch," Suzaku choked out, no one but his best friend hearing him, tears of his own slipping out of his eyes. His best friend raised the blood stained hand to the visor of the mask, his voice low.
"Please..." Lelouch coughed, "take care...of Isabella...and...my sister...they'll need you...promise me...you'll always take care of them...because I won't be able to..."
"I promise you," Suzaku vowed and gripped the handle of the sword. "I will never let harm come to either one of them."
Lelouch smiled, unable to say anything else and the blade was yanked back out of his body. He took a wobbling step forward, everybody silent and watching before falling head over heals and sliding down to the platform towards to the two women he loved so dearly, a trail of scarlet following him. He landed at the foot of the platform, Nunnally's horror stricken eyes traveling from his wound to his face.
"Nii-san?" she tilted her head, her tiny body trembling as she saw the gaping wound in her beloved brother's chest.
Isabella knelt down beside Lelouch, crying uncontrollably but noiselessly and placed her hand on top of his head, her cheek resting on his forehead. Nunnally touched his hand, her brother's memories playing before her eyes.
Geass...the mask of Zero...protecting the world and leading the Black Knights...doing everything in order to give Nunnally a world where she can live happily...
"You mean...everything you have done was for--?"
Nunnally gasped inaudibly as she saw her brother's eyes slowly turn towards her, a faint smile on his face.
"Nii-san..." Nunnally cried, gripping his hand and pressing it against her cheek, "Nii-san, I love you!"
Isabella watched her and then felt her knight's eyes on her. Isabella held his hand, his fingers curling around her hand as best he could and she met his dying eyes.
"You've done it...Lelouch...you've accomplished...I love you--!" Isabella couldn't finish, her crying cutting her off. She rested her head on his and kissed his hand, her tears dripping onto his skin.
Fighting in the war with the Black Knights...being at Ashford and enjoying his school life with Rivalz, Shirley, Milly, Nina, Nunnally, Kallen, Suzaku and Isabella...Rolo...C.C. always hanging around...spending time with Isabella...
"Yes..." Lelouch sighed, "and I'm so thankful...I had...someone as faithful as you...by my side...from the very beginning...and a sister...that is worth...it all..." Lelouch whispered, the memories of his past flashing before him.
...seeing her smile...kissing her...watching her as she laughed with Shirley and Nunnally...listening to the petty arguments between her, Tamaki and Kallen...all the memories so dear to him...the ones that made him smile...he would do anything to protect them and make them happy...
"We love you, Lelouch," Isabella said and Nunnally gripped the front of his robes.
"I love you--too..." he managed to whisper.
Lelouch's eyes closed and Isabella gasped.
"L-Lelouch!"
"He's dead..." a man yelled and Isabella stared at Lelouch's body.
"Zero!"
"ZERO!"
"No...NO! Lelouch! Open your eyes! Lelouch!" she bawled and Nunnally buried her face in his chest.
"ZERO!" "ZERO!" "ZERO!" "ZERO!" "ZERO!"
"I can't picture a future without you Nii-san! Don't leave me!"
"ZERO!" "ZERO!" "ZERO!" "ZERO!" "ZERO!"
"Lelouch...I love you so much...Lelouch..." Isabella kissed his lips one final time and then let her cries mix in with Nunnally's, both girls' mourning wails being drowned out by the chanting of the surrounding crowd.
"ZERO!" "ZERO!" "ZERO!" "ZERO! "ZERO!"
"The demon Lelouch is dead!" Cornelia shouted and her soldiers scattered about, "release his hostages!"
The crowd cheered as the masked knight stood at the throne, his cape blowing behind him and his sword beside him. Isabella raised her tear stained face up to look upon him then gritted her teeth together before laying her head back on Lelouch's chest, Cornelia's words stabbing at her.
No...this isn't right...this wasn't supposed to be how it ended! Lelouch is not a demon...he's a hero!Isabella's thoughts screamed as she cried with Nunnally, the most important person in both of their lives, now dead in their arms.
Flashback Over.
"You've done it," Isabella repeated and leaned back on her hands in the soft grass. Zero was quiet and Isabella pursed her lips, somewhat irritated.
"Well say something!" she scolded, "don't just stand there and stare at me. I know who you are."
"I know," Suzaku said and removed the helmet off his head, a playful smile on his face, "I just thought you liked the idea of Zero being mysterious and silent."
"Yeah, right, no. Mysterious works but silent is not in the job description," Isabella toyed and looked back over the ocean, her thoughts wandering back to Lelouch.
"You do plan on coming back right?" Suzaku asked after a moment of silence and Isabella cocked her eyebrows.
"When did I ever plan on leaving?" she asked and focused on him once more, a look of confusion plastered on her pretty face.
"I was just wondering," he shrugged.
"Suzaku, I made a vow of always remaining Zero's most faithful follower. I promised Lelouch I would continue the legacy of Zero when no one else could and the only way I can do that is if I stick around," Isabella said as she stood to her feet, the wind making her hair dance around her.
"You've made so many vows in this war, Isabella," Suzaku observed and the immortal smiled gently.
"Yes, I have. I have been able to keep all of them so far and my final one is keeping the legend of Zero alive. I will make sure the world stays the way Lelouch fought so hard for it to be and should anyone try to get in the way of that, I will be the one to resolve that problem." She smiled and Suzaku gazed at her as she turned her head, her gorgeous green eyes resting on the horizon.
"Something else I picked up along the way of this whole experience is, everyone has a reason to live, no matter how many people are taken away from them...whether that reason being a dream or goal...even if it seems all the people in your life are slowly being kidnapped by death or seem to be abandoning you...you can't give up. There's always that ray of hope, isn't there, Suzaku?"
"What would happen if I disagreed with you?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck and Isabella shot a her friend a dirty look.
"I'd punch you."
"Then I don't really have a choice here, do I, Isabella?"
She laughed and Suzaku agreed with her, then wrapped his arms around her after she had walked up to him.
"I know I'm not Lelouch and there is no way we'd ever love each other the way you and Lelouch do, but do you forgive me enough to at least being my friend again?" Suzaku asked and Isabella returned his embrace.
"After all you've done, yes, I forgive you," she said and Suzaku pulled back.
"You know, Tamaki opened a bistro. Kallen asked if you, me, Nunnally and Ohgi all wanted to go over," he told her and Isabella raised her eyebrows.
"In one week? Wow...impressive...and you better change or you'll attract attention," Isabella scolded and tugged on the dark clothes he was wearing.
"Right...you drive then," Suzaku muttered and Isabella smiled, twirling the keys of his Lancelot around her finger.
"Damn straight."
Something I always told myself was to never give up. I hated showing I was weak and I hated losing...I guess that's another reason I joined the war. I wanted to test and make sure I wasn't just being hypocritical. There were definitely down sides to the war...watching the majority of the people I loved die...feeling hopeless at times...but even so, I kept pushing forward because I believe everyone has something to live for. As for the people that deny they have anything to live for...you're not looking hard enough. Just remember there is always hope and if you keep pushing yourself forward, you'll reach the light. Everyone has a reason to keep going in life...you just have to really look for the reason if you don't already know.
Author's Note: Kind of an epilogue: Isabella remained by Suzaku's side as C.C. did with Lelouch and she was made Nunnally's knight only hours after Lelouch's death. She remained loyal to Kallen, Tamaki and the rest of the Black Knights, helping them with whatever problem would arise. She didn't have to fight in another war until seventeen years after Lelouch died and that was the same battle Tamaki was killed in. Isabella buried him with a Knight's honor, keeping his Black Knight headband in memory of him and had gotten so close to him, she actually did pass him off as her older brother. The war Tamaki-onii had died in lasted two short years, Isabella's immortality being the key that helped them win. She posed as Zero numerous times, saving Suzaku from many deaths and she kept true to her vow to Lelouch. Another five years passed and another battle, this time Suzaku being the one that died. He passed away in Isabella's arms and she buried him too with a Knight's honor. From then on, she was Zero and lived with Kallen and Nunnally for the rest of their lives. Kallen was the last of Isabella's friends to pass away and after Kallen moved on, Isabella had nowhere to go. She wandered around for a decade or so then Kallen's granddaughter found her and she stayed with the remainder of Kallen's family. Isabella lived under the name Isabella Lamperouge since the day Lelouch had sacrificed himself and she never took the ring he had given to her off her finger. She lived for another three thousand years, keeping the legend of Zero alive and never did fall in real love again. Yes, she became infatuated with another man that reminded her greatly of Lelouch and he loved her in return but she made it clear to him before he had confessed his love she was incapable of ever falling in love again, despite the fact she wanted to. (Seriously, she just couldn't fall in love again. She really tried!!) Isabella stayed with this man (who also happened to be 19 and many parallels to Lelouch) until he agreed to obtain her Code and use it in order to restore world peace and keep Zero alive in people's minds. Isabella finally was able to move on to the next world...the first person to greet her in the Light being Lelouch. She had died in the man's arms with a smile on her face as he too watched her spirit reunite with the one she loved. Isabella died with no regrets, being able to see her parents, best friends and most of all Lelouch in Heaven being the last vow she had ever made.
I thank you all for the support you have given to this story. I couldn't have done it without you and I'll be back with more fan fictions. Trust me. Possibly have some one shots that go with this story because some stuff I had to edit out for the sake of length and significance. XD hahaha! I'll see you all soon! ^-^ Bye for now cause I'm tired and I need sleep! XD