Author's note: After much procrastination and a LOT of brainstorming, I finally managed to get the 8th chapter of Virtues of the Heart finished! Wow... Now that I look back, it's been quite a long time since I first started writing (almost a year, in fact). The end of the story draws near, and with it, the start of the next book, and the final installation in the Colors of My Soul series. The story will continue and conclude with chapter 10, though there will be an epilogue after that as well (or maybe chapter 10 will be the epilogue. I don't know yet).

Book III will be shorter than the first two books, since it's not going to be AU or anything like that. I have the general storyline set out, but it's still a work very much in progress.

As for this chapter, a familiar face shows up once more, though her role may not be as prominent as you may think.

I hope you enjoy the newest chapter of Colors of My Soul, and as always, thanks for reading!

Until Next Time,

~TabiNoTochuu

P.S. Requiem - any piece of music composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person or persons

P.S.S. Stupid character limit... Chapter's title needed to be shortened.

Book 2

Chapter 8 - Betrayal and Retribution

"Zero... Requiem? Doesn't that sound a bit... I don't know, strange?"

I glared at Suzaku, now a bit embarrassed at the name that I had chosen for my plan. However, I forced down that feeling and continued to lay out the basics of my plan. "I think it was rather appropriate for this situation. The Lelouch you all know will cease to exist, and a new me will be reborn from the ashes of the past."

At this explanation, I saw Suzaku nod slightly in acknowledgment before he continued to stare at me attentively. I took a deep breath and began to speak once more. "I'm sure you all had ideas on how I was going to make the deadline. I know you were all expecting something flashy and impressive, but that's not the way I do things."

I reached under the table and pulled out a battered suitcase. I undid the locks and opened it to reveal a beautiful, but worn out set of chess pieces. From the looks of the people around me, I could tell they didn't believe that I could make so much money from just a game like this. Suzaku took a look at the chess set and then turned back to look at me. "Lelouch... are you sure about this? I'm not quite sure that you can use this method to make money..."

I stared him dead in the eye so that he could see the determination burning in my eyes. "Suzaku... do you trust me?"

He sighed and laid his head on the table. "You know that I do, Lelouch. There's no one that I would trust more than you. However, I think that you need to rethink this plan. How do you plan on making 850 million from just this? It's unheard of!"

"You might not like this, but at this point, there isn't much else that I can do, especially since I don't believe the entire journey will be a smooth one. There will definitely be things and people that will try and hinder my progress, and this method is the one where I can operate undetected for the longest period of time." I took a deep breath and plucked the black king from its cradle. "I plan to use my chess skills and gamble. Believe it or not, there are quite a few rich and powerful people that believe their abilities are the best, and they wager heavily on matches like this."

For a brief moment, there was a shocked silence as they tried to process what I had just said. "Lelouch! You can't be serious! Those people are the best in all of Japan! And though the money made can be incredible, the chances of winning are extremely small!"

I held up my hands, silencing the flow of arguments from my sisters and Suzaku. "Don't underestimate my abilities. All I ask is for you to trust in me to carry out my promise. I won't lose." I allowed a smirk to spread across my face. "Not to people of such low skill."

-oOo-oOo-oOo-

After we finished talking, I went up to my room and opened up my closet. From the very back, I pulled out a box, covered with dust from unuse. I opened it carefully and pulled out a bundle of clothes from inside. From the pile, I pulled out a set of dress clothes that were vastly contrasting from those that I had inside my wardrobe. I've had this box of clothes for years now, but I've never had the opportunity to actually wear them. Considering the circumstances, this would be a good time to put it to use to further my plan.

I put on the black dress pants, marveling at how they still fit me reasonably well, even though it's been years since I first received them. After that came a slim-fitting white button-up shirt with a tie, finishing up with a suit top to complete the set. I jumped as someone laid their hands on my shoulders. "... You look nice."

My tension eased as I heard the soft, melodious tones of C.C.'s voice from behind me. "Thank you." However, even though I couldn't see her, I could feel the worry emanating from her body. "... Are you worried about me?"

Her hands tightened on my shoulders as I said that. "... You idiot... you know exactly why I'm worried. Why didn't you tell Suzaku, Euphy and Nunnally about it?"

As I had expected, there was no escaping her sharp mind. When I had explained the plan to my sisters and Suzaku, I had left out a very key point. These games were also highly illegal and those who play are sometimes people with numerous contacts in various criminal organizations throughout Japan. Saying the wrong thing or acting too cocky can easily get me killed. I let my hands fall to my sides. "I have to do this, C.C... For everyone's sake. I just have to be extra careful throughout this endeavor. I cannot afford to make a single mistake, not when so much is on the line."

She made a fist with one hand and made as if to hit me, but her hand just weakly thudded against my shoulders before I felt her lean against me. Then, as her body began to tremble, I realized that she had begun to cry. "I c-can't have you d-d-do this, Lelouch... It's too dangerous! You could easily be k-killed and none of us would know." Her voice grew weaker as she continued. "I can't bear the thought of a life... without you in it."

I turned around and gathered her in my arms. "Shh... Don't worry. No matter what happens, I promise I'll come out of this alive. And, even if something should happen, I will find a way to return to you. One way or another, I will never let you be alone."

I kissed the top of her head as her crying slowed. "I promise."

-oOo-oOo-oOo-

Babel Tower

I got out of the limousine with Suzaku and stared up at the massive tower in front of me. This building was, to outsiders, a normal luxury hotel and casino, catering to those who have a taste for the risks associated to gambling. However, on the top floors, off-limits to most people, was a special gambling area restricted to only those who had the power and money to wage the highest stakes. I reached back inside the limousine and pulled out a large steel briefcase. After I took a quick look around, I opened the latches and cracked open the case a little.

Stacks and stacks of bills filled the suitcase, totaling 25 million yen total. "... Thank you, Suzaku. I'll be sure to return the money to you once I reach my goal."

He laid a hand on my shoulder, but made no move to return to the car. "Don't thank me, Lelouch. You do what you have to. However, you don't have to do it all alone. I'm coming with you."

I held up a hand in refusal. This fight was mine alone, and I refused to drag anyone else into this mess. Suzaku grabbed my hand and pushed me toward the entrance of the tower. "This isn't something that you can refuse. I have the ability to protect you if something bad were to happen. I can't let you shoulder this heavy burden by yourself."

I smiled and held up my hands in defeat. I had known that Suzaku would insist on coming, and truthfully, I was happy to have someone like him with me on this endeavor. This was just like him; ever since we were kids, he had always been the one who tried to protect everyone. I had already lost count of the number of times he had intervened through the years to protect my sisters and I. He was my most precious friend, and hopefully, with some luck, the soon-to-be husband of my sister. "Alright, Suzaku. Let's go."

The front doors slid open and a wave of sound from the main lobby assaulted our ears. All around us, people were playing games at various tables and machines. We advanced forward to the central plaza, where a large crowd had gathered around a deep pit at the center. From a booth, an announcer shouted at the wandering people, asking for more bets in the current event. "Today, we bring you a special event that we rarely ever see! Many times have you asked for it, but now, your favorite event is back! I give you... the sibling duel!"

I glanced down into the pit to see two young men, most likely only a few years older than I fighting desperately with each other. Even from this distance, I could clearly tell the resemblance between the two of them, and I felt a black fury rise within me as I stared at the proceedings. "... That's disgusting. And to think these people think of themselves as upper class aristocrats. They're nothing more than trash."

As I rounded the corner, heading for the private elevator to the upper floors, I ran headlong into someone. I felt a cold liquid seep into my pants and pushed my self up. "I-I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking at where I was going."

My ears perked up at the sound of a girl's voice. A young girl, who looked around my age, held out a towel toward me with a trembling hand. "P-Please don't tell the manager... My family needs the money, and I can't afford to lose this job."

I looked her over. Her athletic physique had been forced into an extremely uncomfortable looking bunny suit, and she looked like she was on the verge of bursting into tears. I took the towel from her and began to wipe my pants. "Don't worry. There's no harm done. Please don't look so worried, I promise I'm not going to tell any of the casino staff."

"B-But... You're an aristocrat, and you hold my life in your hands. One word from you and I would lose everything I have..."

I laid a hand on her shoulder and gave her a warm smile. "What makes you think I'm an aristocrat? I'm a commoner, just like you." I frowned for a second as I thought back on something she had said a few seconds ago. "You said you needed this job for your family. If you don't mind me asking, why are you so desperately in need of money?"

Her head slumped down and a single tear ran down her face. "My mother has been fighting a dangerous disease for a long time now, and we don't have enough money to pay for all our bills along with her medicine. I was offered this job a while back, and I took it only because it paid well enough that I could pay for medicine and other small things for my father and brother."

The barely suppressed rage that had been building in me reached a peak. What kind of world is it where the rich enjoy themselves when an entire group of people are dying and suffering right on their doorsteps? "... What if I told you that after the end of today, you wouldn't need to worry about money anymore."

She looked at me in confusion. "If that were to happen, I think I could just die of happiness. I can't keep working here forever, but no other jobs I can get will pay for my family's expenses..."

"Hm. When do you get off of work?"

"Eh? Um... Around 7:00... Why do you ask?"

I stood up and held out a hand to her, helping her up from the ground. "Meet me outside the casino after you get off work. If everything goes right today, I may be able to solve your monetary problems for the time being."

Her eyes showed her disbelief that something like this could really be happening. "I-I'll be sure to be there! Thank you very much!"

Before she could leave, I grabbed her hand. "Before you go, what is your name?"

She brushed the red hair out of her eyes and smiled. "My name is Kallen Kozuki. I won't forget your kindness."

-oOo-oOo-oOo-

In the elevator, Suzaku was strangely silent. After a little bit, he asked a question. "... Lelouch, are you sure what you did back there was wise? I'm not against you doing a good deed, but it sets you back in your plans, possibly enough that you won't make the deadline..."

I glanced over at him and grinned. "Do you have no faith in me? My schedule for winning doesn't end at the end of this month. I had planned to have earned all 850 million yen by the end of this week."

His eyes nearly bulged out of his head. "T-This week?! You're crazy! With that sort of timeline, you'd have to win every single game you play, and do so every day of the week!"

I stepped forward as the elevator came to a halt and the doors slid open smoothly, revealing a posh hallway in front of me. A single guard stood in front of an ornate door. "That's my plan exactly, Suzaku. And I will succeed."

At first, I was worried that the guard would not allow us to enter the room, but a brief peek inside the suitcase I held told him otherwise, and he quickly opened the door. I stepped into a rather barren room compared to the wealth displayed outside its doors. Several wooden tables lined the room, and there were two people at each, with a chessboard between them. After a quick look around, I confirmed my guess. I recognized several world-famous chess players, as well as some rich aristocrats that had been in the news recently.

I found an empty table and sat down wordlessly. The man across from me, a beefy, tough-looking man, gave me a leer. "Is this a joke? They send a schoolboy to play against me?"

I gave him a smile without any warmth in it and placed the suitcase on the table and slowly opened the latches. His eyes widened somewhat at the stacks of bills inside. "This is no joke, I assure you. I came here today for one reason and one reason only; to play."

My mind had already processed all the information I needed to know about this man. He was a fairly prominent figure in the local mafia, and the police file on him called him "The Black King". Surprisingly, such a brutal man had a taste and talent for chess, and used this to earn extra money for his group. At most, he would pose a mediocre challenge.

"I admire your nerve, boy. How about I give you a deal? If you manage to beat me, I will pay you double what you have bet. But then again, there's no way you could win against me."

I placed the case on the table and adjusted myself in the chair. "In that case, I'll wager all the money in this suitcase against you. 25 million yen. Would you like to count it?"

The black king grinned at his henchmen around him. In his mind, this was an easy win, an easy 25 million made beating a schoolboy. Never did the thought that maybe this "schoolboy" was a little too confident cross his mind.

Six minutes later, I moved my knight forward. "I believe that's checkmate."

The black king seemed to be at a loss for words as he stared at the chessboard in front of him. Normally, being beaten by a boy would have been bad enough, but I had managed, though not purposely, to defeat him in a much more humiliating manner. I had won without losing a single piece. He wordlessly reached into his pocket and pulled out his checkbook and wrote out a check. Then, he seemed to lose consciousness completely as his henchmen dragged him from the room. I pocketed the check with a wink at Suzaku and stood up, searching for another empty table.

-oOo-oOo-oOo-

I stood outside the casino and glanced at my watch. "6:55... She should be here soon." I turned to see Suzaku standing beside me, with such an amazed look on his face that it made me laugh. "What's the matter with you?"

"I... I d-don't believe it. You beat some of the greatest chess players in the world today. What's more, you managed earn nearly half the required amount... How... How did you do it?"

I opened my mouth to explain when I spotted Kallen walking out of the building. I decided to hold off on the explanation until another time, when we were away from prying ears. I waved at her and faced Suzaku again. "I'll tell you, I promise. However, I can't until this endeavor of mine is over. I swear that I will tell you once I make the required sum."

The redhead approached us a bit timidly, but she still did not allow herself to be overly threatened by our obvious power. That was something that I had noticed about her early on, and it was something that I admired about her. I reached into my pocket and handed her a check for 50 million yen. Her eyes widened as she saw the amount written on it, and her legs almost failed her right there and then. "I always keep my promises. I hope that you will be able to help your family with that money, and that it may help you find a better job."

She gave me such a brilliant smile that it made me feel like I had done something right with my life and the abilities that were bestowed upon me. The limo arrived and I opened the door for her. I didn't feel safe letting her walk home with a check for 50 million in her pocket.

After we left, she became more talkative as she seemed to get more comfortable around us. "... If you don't mind me asking, Mr. Lamperouge, why is it you decided to go to the upper floors? I've only heard tales and snippets of what happens in the upper floors."

"Don't call me that. It feels... unnatural for me to be addressed that way. And as for the reason why I had chosen to go to the upper floors of this casino... well, I'm chasing after my dream in the only way that I can."

Before she could ask, I answered the question that I could see forming in the back of her head. "If you really must know, I was given a... challenge by a certain someone. If I wish to be together with the one I love, then I have to do this. I'm sorry if I'm a bit vague, but I cannot tell you all the details."

The car slowed and stopped in front of a modest two-story house and the chauffeur opened the door for the redhead. "I understand. Perhaps... perhaps we'll meet again someday. I hope that I will be able to repay the kindness you have shown me today."

-oOo-oOo-oOo-

Lamperouge Residence

I opened the door and fumbled with my keys until I finally found the right one. The inside of the house seemed rather dark, but I assumed that it was because everyone had fallen asleep. I walked into the kitchen and opened the freezer. I pulled out a bottle of water and walked upstairs. "Euphy? Are you asleep?"

There was no noise from her room, and a faint seed of doubt began to grow within me. I opened her door to find that both my sisters were not in their rooms like I had believed. I checked my room as well to be sure, as well as the bathroom, but there was no sign of anyone in the house. As I ran into the darkened living room, my eyes made out the shape of a person sitting on the couch.

The lights brightened in an instant and I felt a heavy hand slam me into the couch. Then, my blood turned to ice as I heard a familiar voice. "Well, well, well... the genius Lelouch returns successful from his journey."

I turned my face slightly to see Mao on the couch, a twisted smirk on his face, and what looked to be a silenced pistol in his lap. "I've been watching you for a while, Lelouch. At first, I didn't even think it was possible for you to earn anywhere close to the correct amount, but something inside me told me otherwise. You've been quite successful today, my friend. Too successful, in fact."

I growled through gritted teeth. "What do you want from me, you bastard?"

The light of insanity in his eyes had grown and it seemed to reach a breaking point. "Oh, I think you know very well what I want from you." He pointed the pistol at me and made a very exaggerated show of pulling back on the slide. "I want you to stop trying to make the money. I've worked too hard for too long to let a mere kid step all over my plans. I will take over the Ciel corporation, even if it means I have to kill everyone in my way."

"You... Don't think you can get away with this! C.C. won't let you, and I'm certain that if you try anything at all, you would be behind bars faster than you can act."

The maniacal grin on his face grew wider, and a terrible thought occurred to me. "But... What if there was no way for her to speak out against me? I've never told you what I do, right? I've been researching the human mind for years now, and with the help of technology, I can brainwash anyone I choose."

Mao pulled out a pocket watch and glanced at it. "Even as we speak, my employees have already begun the process on your precious C.C.'s mind. When I'm done with her, she won't even recognize you anymore." He paused for a second as another thought entered his head. "And about your sisters... They're also at my compound, safe from harm... for now. Should you attempt a hero's rescue attempt, then perhaps I might be annoyed enough to put a bullet into one of them."

He motioned and the hand on my head lifted. Mao walked forward and out of my line of sight. "Remember your place, Lelouch. It would not do for your sisters to get hurt because of your stupid sentiments. I'll be sure to return them to you... after the wedding."

-oOo-oOo-oOo-

I pulled out my cell phone and punched in Suzaku's number. In a barely coherent voice, I managed to tell him what had happened. No sooner had he heard did he hang up, and I knew he wasn't too long from arriving at my door. Pull yourself together, Lelouch. He may have been a step ahead of you this time, but the fight isn't over yet. Just think of it as... a game of chess. I just need to see the entire board instead of the individual pieces.

Instantly, I felt the sense of despair disappear, to be replaced with an unnatural calmness. My mind grasped at the pieces of the puzzle in front of me and twisted them until they fit in a way that was beneficial to me. By the time Suzaku had arrived, I had a CD in one hand, and a determined grin on my face. "Go get Kallen, Suzaku. We're going to need all the help we can get."

"I'm almost afraid to ask... What are you going to do?"

I tapped the CD and grinned. "We're going to rescue C.C. and my sisters. I have a plan."

Chapter 8 - Betrayal and Retribution