Meet Virginia

Despite his previous engagement, Suzaku was clueless about women. Perhaps it was because Kaguya was only thirteen when he broke it off. It was an engagement only in the true sense of the word: a couple meant to be married. Their 'dates' were not at all romantic. Most of the time it consisted of him playing videogames and her watching. Even after Suzaku hit puberty, his fiancée didn't really interest him. There was too much of an age gap. Three years is a long time for children. That must have been what held him back, prevented him from getting too close to her. It's not like he had ever been in love before.

Not like this.

The few times that he kissed his cousin; the action was awkward and forced. The only time he felt passion was when she comforted him after his Mother's death. He lost everything. He was alone. She was all he had left in the world. When he lifted his head up from her shoulder and claimed her lips, it had nothing to do with her specifically. It was merely a means of escape.

He wondered what it would feel like to kiss Euphie. He was passionate just standing next to her. Any time he accidentally brushed up against her, his body tingled for hours. Their interactions were equally awkward, but for a different reason. He knew Kaguya her whole life, and knew as early as he could remember that they were betrothed, even if he didn't know what that meant. The four months that he knew the Princess were like a whirlwind. It didn't make any sense why he didn't get caught up in it until recently. It's not like he had ever been in love before.

"Suzaku? How's this look?"

Anybody with half a brain could tell that the woman was Euphemia Li Beitannia, Fourth Princess, and Vicereine of Area 11. Twirling all of her long pink hair in a single bun on the back if her head, rather than only pulling half that hair up in two side buns, wasn't going to change that. Neither were the inexpensive department store clothes. Her normal flashy dresses were replaced by tight jeggings and a tunic dress. Maybe if she cut off all her hair and bonded that chest it would work. No. That would never work; Euphie was far too curvaceous to disguise herself as a boy. Plus Suzaku liked her hair. He often wondered what the silken strands would feel like in between his tanned fingers. He was becoming a man obsessed. With Lelouch gone, his conflicting sexual orientation was pushed to the back burner. He only had eyes for Euphie. It was bitter sweet.

"Um. Well." He stuttered. She looked so hopeful he didn't want to dash her dream. He pulled out an ugly brown ball cap with a square brim from his messanger bag. "Wear this too."

She pouted and readjusted the oversized hat, tucking a stray loc of hair into the back. Suzaku promised that once they left the Viceroy's palace, he would buy her a different one that matched her outfit better. With the Black Knights mysteriously absent from conflict lately, Euphie decided they could take a few days off. Cornelia was the military advisor, and Schneizel was still hovering around in his Avalon should something go awry. She said, "The break would be good for them."

He had a sneaking suspicion that Euphie had ulterior motives when she suggested they go out without her usual entourage. The two teenagers were to be alone. He knew that it made perfect sense. If she wanted a break from her responsibilities, and to pretend to be a normal girl; she couldn't be followed around by a dozen of so personnel. Still, the look on Cornelia's face when she threatened him was frightening. "Stay close but not too close." The woman might not be Vicereine anymore, but Cornelia was still a protective older sister. Suzaku had the feeling that she wanted to protect Euphie from him.

They rode the busy train in a comfortable silence. Euphie insisted that she was more than happy to stand. She didn't want him to treat her like a princess while they were on vacation. She wanted him to treat her like a normal girl. She wasn't sure if she believed that he would have insisted to carry both their bags, and found her a place to sit. His comment that she would "never be a normal girl," was a double-edged sword. She hoped it was given in the way it was received. Euphie was fine with being special to him so long as it had nothing to do with her role.

Her role was a burden, yet one she had to bear. Euphie wanted nothing more than to make people smile. She didn't have any lofty goals to be empress until those ideas were forced on her. Someone like her, with a gentle modest heart, could change the world. If she won the support of her brother, Schneizel, than she could change everything. She could rise to be the most powerful person in the world, and then flush everything that made Britannia the strongest Empire in the world down the toilet.

She could abolish the Number System, and give back power to the colonies. Hell, she could make the colonies independent states. Britannia could be like the EU. She could destroy the world she lived in without a single drop of blood. Then when it was all over, when everyone was made equal, she could step down. Euphie could become a normal girl, or at that point she would be considered a woman. She could denounce her name, and take a new one. Preferably Kururugi. She blushed at the thought, and looked over to her knight.

She didn't want to scold him again to not be so rigid. At this point it was probably part of his personality. Suzaku stood relaxed despite his straight back and wide stance. Whether consciously, or not, he herded her to the corner of the train, where she wouldn't get bumped into. On the way to the station, he walked at her side near the road, protecting her from mud splattering as cars passed. He was like that before too though. When she asked him to protect her from bad men the day of his release, he acted chivalrous too. Suzaku was her knight before either of them knew it.[1]

Euphie grabbed his hand as they transferred bullet trains. It was an innocent enough gesture. She said it was because she didn't want to get lost. He scratched the back of his head and nodded. Beyond the similarities of the first day they met, there was something that stuck out at him. His déjà vu from holding her hand in the crowded space reminded him of something he couldn't quite place. That feeling became more intense when they got off the train at the Kyoto station.

He wasn't sure why Euphie insisted they leave the Tokyo settlement. She was the Vicereine, and people would recognize her anywhere she went. They should have taken the Lancelot and went to another colony for a day. Still, when she suggested they get out of town, he could only think of coming here. There was something calling out to him about the old city. Maybe he just wanted to share part of his heritage with her. Kyoto was one of the few settlements that still boasted traditional architecture, being surprisingly spared during the invasion. Whatever the reason, it felt both right, and wrong to be there with her.

Their first stop was the hotel. The concierge glowered at Suzaku as he stepped up to the desk, asking for the keys to their rooms. The prim man sized up Suzaku, obviously aghast that a student, and more so, a Number, thought that he could afford to stay in such lodging. It was ironic that he was being discriminated against, considering the 'bed and breakfast' was actually a Ryokan converted. Suzaku glared back at the desecration, and also his own stupidity. He shouldn't have let Euphie pick out the place. The one thing he loved most about her, naïveté, also brought them to a traditional Japanese hotel run by a highfalutin Britannian businessman. His pressed black business suit only irritated Suzaku further.

"I told you. We already have rooms. In fact, a whole wing was rented out. There is no reason to suggest we take our taboo relationship elsewhere."

Euphie' eyes widened at the venomous way those words left Suzaku's mouth, and also the looks they were receiving from other guests. Her knight's typical straight back became even more rigid. His Ashford Academy uniform seemed constricting rather than comfortable. The prestige of the school didn't seem to matter. It probably wasn't popular enough to denote his identity. She played with the hem of her dress. The knowledge that if she pulled off her hat, and demanded the man treat them with respect, her incognito status would be ruined, seeped in her pores. Besides, isn't this what she wanted? Euphie wanted to just be herself for a weekend with Suzaku, and not worry about anything. She was silly to think that her nobility, and role as Vicereine were the only hinderance in their relationship.

"Is there a problem here Mr..." She glanced down at the gold nametag on his lapel. "Smith?" How fitting. "I was hoping not to have any issues with my stay."

Suzaku relaxed feeling his mistress at his side. Euphie smiled and shook her head, telling him she had enough. The two shared a brief silent conversation that conveyed much more information than if the words were spoken aloud. This was the world they sought to change, and the goal was something loftier than freedom for a whole country. She could be with Suzaku, not in hiding, or using the excuse that he was her protection, but have a relationship. To her sixteen-year-old mind and heart that seemed just as important as political gain. Arguably more important.

"Mr. Smith. I would prefer to keep my identity here secret. If you could cease pestering my knight, you would know that I, Euphemia Li Britannia, have rented space to privately use the hot springs. If you would rather not do business with the likes of me, then I understand. I simply thought someone of your status would sympathize more than others."

Mr. Smith's jaw comically dropped when he bothered to look at the reservation book, connecting the name, which he thought written by his receptionist in jest, and the indigo eyes with pastel pink hair peeking out from the hat. He stammered an apology, handing Suzaku the two keys he requested. The teenager let out an exasperated sigh, denying the man's suggestion that a bellhop handle the luggage. He was fit enough to carry the bags, and wanted as little interaction with the staff as possible. The thought of just leaving, and finding a real Ryokan, owned by Japanese, weighed on his mind. He hadn't researched the NAC enough to know how well the economies were separated, and staying with Britannians would surely be safer for Euphie. He wasn't sure what he would do if anything ever happened to her.

Outside the lobby, the space maintained some semblance of normalcy. Either Mr. Smith was lazy, or he had a knack for effectively infusing western and eastern cultures, the black suit instead of a yukata was notwithstanding. The wide hallway maintained a spotless wood floor, and Suzaku suddenly felt guilty for not taking off his shoes at the entrance. No one they passed wore yukatas, however, the use of slippers was maintained, probably to keep the floor clean. The only notable thing out of place on the way to their rooms was a large painting of the Emperor, in all his glory, hung in the main sitting area. Suzuka stopped, and stared at it, not understanding how someone with such ideals could produce a daughter like Euphie.

The rooms had a more modern, Britannian feel. The tatami mats housed king sized beds, a western style dining table, and odd circular red chairs. Suzaku removed his shoes, and opened the screens that separated the two joined rooms, in addition to the ones that blocked off the terrace. Euphie gasped, and ran out to the balcony, leaning over the railing to catch water off the rock fountain near the edge. She giggled as the too cold water came in contact with her skin. The ugly brown hat fell, and so did her bun, causing her long hair to cascade down her back.

Suzaku blushed, and set to organizing the luggage. The cool November breeze did more than simply air out the room. Seeing Euphie in such an environment, with the beautiful Japanese maple trees in varying shades of yellow and red, was too romantic. He shouldn't think of her in such a way. She was the fourth Princess, and he was her knight, a subordinate, someone promised to protect her. He needed to protect her from himself. At that moment he wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her, and kiss her temple.

"I will be right back." He said, moving to a standing position. Euphie cocked her head to the side, a gesture that, for some reason, reminded him of Lulu. "I need.." He paused, and scratched the back of his head. The excuse that he needed fresh air definitely wouldn't work. "To get you that hat. I think I saw a gift shop downstairs. It's November; I'm sure they have something that will match."

"Oh. Um. Don't worry about that." She looked down at her hands. "Is that what people thought when we walked around Tokyo the first time? That we were..." [1]

"Uh." Suzaku thought back. It seemed so long ago, and like it wasn't him at the time. "They probably thought I was your tour guide. The issue was that we were checking into a hotel. I'm sure when we go out to look at shrines people will think the same thing; that I work as a guide. Especially here in Kyoto, it's not that uncommon."

"No I don't mind. I mean. That we. Um. That our relationship would be taboo."

"Well you are royalty."

"But he didn't know that!" She said with more force than intended. "It shouldn't bother me." She said finally, sighing.

Suzaku felt a smile creep up at the way she tried to avoid pouting. He did something completely out of line. He grabbed her hand, and ran his thumb against her palm. "Of course it bothers you, Princess. You aren't the type of person who notices those things. But they would bother you. You worry about other people. That's not a bad thing. It's one of the things I - " he blushed again, letting go of her hand.

"You?"

"I admire about you. You are an admirable person. The Special Administration Zone, and the way you can be so naive, and yet aware. It's." He didn't want to say cute even though it was what he was thinking. "Admirable."

"Yeah. I got that."

"Are you sure you don't want to take the cable-car?" He asked, holding a hand out to help Euphie up over a fallen tree.

"Nope, I always exercise in high heels." She giggled and set out ahead.

The trail from the former Ryokan and Kurama-dera Temple was usually well defined and well traveled. However, according to Mr. Smith, a recent storm caused issues; a crew had yet to come to clean up the area. This did not deter Euphie. On the contrary, she was delighted at the prospect of hiking a mountain alone with Suzaku. She wouldn't change her mind.

It was the correct choice.

The scenery was even more breathtaking than the room. Large roots from ancient trees pushed up over the dirt path. In other areas there were stone stairs, cracking with age. There was also a section with logs pushed against the edge of the slope making an awkward walkway, to say the least. Throughout the half hour journey were leaves falling from gianormous cryptomeria trees. The cold air felt nice against the flushed, perspiring skin of her neck. Her hair was stuffed into the slouchy knit hat Suzaku bought from the gift shop. It was wonderful. Perfect.

She never saw another soul. There was no one to judge every action, or wonder about the relationship between her and Suzaku. The sparkling creek by the ledge didn't care. The light breeze didn't care. Hopefully Suzaku didn't either. He didn't let go of her hand after the third time helping her through a rough patch. They walked, fingers linked, through the woods, stopping at every small Shinto shrine along the way.

Suzaku would have made a good tour guide. He had a far off look explaining the different deities to her. Euphie asked questions when appropriate. Mostly she just listened to how much he loved Japan. He didn't say it in words; his voice contained a longing that couldn't be contained. She felt a stab of guilt that she didn't feel remotely the same way about Britannia, not even the homeland. Sure, she liked Pendragon. It wasn't her home. Could she make a home here, with Suzaku? She squeezed his hand. It would be impossible to say that she was worried about getting lost.

She continued to blush every time they made eye contact. Thankfully, it was chilly enough that the red tint of her nose and cheeks could be attributed to the weather. Suzaku didn't let go until they reached the foot of the main temple, and that was merely to pay admission.

"This temple also has a fascinating history: in 770 the monk Gantei left Nara's Toshōdai-ji in search of a wilderness sanctuary in which to meditate. Wandering in the hills north of Kyoto, he came across a white horse that led him to the valley known today as Kurama. After seeing a vision of the deity Bishamon-ten, guardian of the northern quarter of the Buddhist heaven, Gantei established Kurama-dera just below the peak of Kurama-yama. Originally belonging to the Tendai school of Buddhism, Kurama has been independent since before the invasion. [2] What's really cool is -"

Euphie giggled at the accumulation of Britannianas who slowly started to crowd around them. "You really do make a good tour guide." She said, unable to feel annoyed.

"Oh. Uh." He scratched back of his head and let out a nervous chuckle. "Thanks. I guess after everything is said and done with, I have a new profession picked out then."

"Said and done with?" She turned to give him a quizzical look. "What do you mean?"

Suzaku tore his eyes away from the small dragon statue situated on a stone ledge. He felt at home. It wasn't the Kururugi shrine, but it was close enough. It was close enough that he realized his lofty goal of gaining Japan back as the Knight of One might not be needed. As long as the Special Administration Zone went according to plan, he could be content by Euphemia's side. He would rather follow in his father's footsteps, preferably not leading to the end of a knife though.

"Maybe moonlight is the right term."

"I was going to say. I would like you to stay my knight, Suzaku. After - After the Special Administration Zone works out, I want to propose similar plans be put into action in other areas. I'm not Schneizel, but with his help... I can make a real difference. Even if I don't want to live this life, and I - I want nothing more than to live on a shrine like this with you. The Kururugi shrine. I would love to see it. I would love to -"

"I will stay with you forever, Princess. Euphie. I don't care where you take me. It's ok if you want to be a nobody though. You don't have to be Empress if you don't want to be. At least for me Japan is enough. I know that is selfish."

He was selfish. He was selfish for wanting her to strive to be Empress, and he was selfish for wanting nothing more than a simple life. After everything was said and done, they would have it; simplicity, that is. Whenever that was they would come back, except it wouldn't be to Kyoto. They would settle down at the Kururugi shine. Euphie would be too attractive in a shrine maiden outfit. No one would care about ethnicity.

They rode the cable car back to the hotel. Both were silent, pondering the admission of the other. Suzaku didn't know what to say. For some reason there was a nagging at the back of his mind, telling him not to get too close. It must have been Princess Cornelia's warning. Still, there was no rush. He could wait for the SAZ to be with Euphie, or until she became Empress and then abdicated the throne. He would wait forever for her.

It was already dark by the time the couple retuned to the hotel. After hiking and looking at shrine, they would "catch a cold if they didn't bathe and change." That was what Euphie said anyway. It made sense and wasn't at all surprising of a statement. What did shock him was Euphie's suggestion that they soak in the hot springs together.

Suzaku's eyes went wide at her nonchalant offer. She casually mentioned that i"t would be lonely, considering the whole area was rented out." There were no other patrons sans them. It wasn't the best, most logical reasoning. Really, she didn't need to make a convincing argument in the first place. His denial was lackluster, to say the least.

The lampposts were aglow by the time he talked himself into walk out the swinging doors. Euphie went on ahead of him, going into the changing area a few minutes prior. Out of habit Suzaku went to the men's area, not realizing until afterward that there would be no way to join Euphie from that section. There was a wall separating the two portions of the spring. He bit his lower lip, and readjusted the towel around his waist. It felt wrong to be bathing with her. If he kept his distance, and she stayed sitting, he wouldn't really see anything.

There was steam floating above the surface of the water. Suzaku didn't even see Euphie at first. She was situated in the corner, leaning against one the smooth stones that surrounded the pool. The sky was already dark. He took a big breath, looking up towards the heavens; the stars were shining brighter than normal. Every constellation was visible, not that he could name them.

It was too romantic.

He opted to leave the towel on. Euphie was right though; it would seem lonely to bathe alone. The spring could likely hold thirty people. He moved towards her, feet sliding against the bottom. She cracked an eye open, the light purple stood out from her flushed cheeks. Whether she was blushing from the temperature or him, he wasn't certain. A loud gulp left him, and felt to echo off, well nothing. They were out in the open so it was clearly all in his imagination.

It wasn't until he was right next to her, and the steam swept away that he noticed. Her long pink hair was wet, sticking to her neck and curves; the ends floated in the water. She lifted her head up, and gave him one of her breathtaking innocent smiles. It took a few moments to register the awkwardness of the situation. Suzaku was a million times thankful that he thought to wear a towel around his waist.

"You. You're wearing a swimsuit." He stuttered.

"Huh?" Euphie looked down at the pink tankini with printed on lace looking lines. It hugged her figure, but was about as revealing as a middle school gym swimsuit. "Yeah. I thought you just soaked in the hot springs and did the actual washing in the bathhouse. Is that wrong?"

"No. No that's not wrong. I um... Shit. Euphie, I um. I need to go. I will be right back."

"Wait what's -" she began.

He squeezed his eyes shut when she grabbed onto the end of the towel to stop him from leaving. The soft terry cloth floated on the surface of the water when she dropped it, evidently not expecting him to be naked. The silver lining, if there was one, was that he was facing away when she pulled his covering lose. Her view was of the moon, and he didn't mean the night sky. His naturally tan ass mooned the Fourth Princess, who, apparently, had the most pure intentions for the night.

God, he was an idiot.

Euphie's laugher didn't make him feel any better. He turned his head to see her covering her eyes, and not very well. Her fingers were spread out, and he was able to make eye contact through the cracks. Her other hand went over her mouth. She bit into her knuckle in an attempt to contain herself. It wasn't working. She looked adorable, and he was a fucking idiot.

"I'm...really... Really sorry."

"It's ok."

"Traditionally you soak naked in a hot spring. I didn't think that you wouldn't know. That makes sense why you brazenly offered to be together." He paused, noticing he was digging himself a very deep hole. " That's not to say that you offered anything. I mean. I... I'm just going to go."

"No. Stay."

Suzaku's eyes widened when she untied the back of her halter-top, and pulled the material up over her head. This wasn't the first time he was in the presence of a naked woman before. Euphie was his first love, however. Tackling Kallen, throwing her down on the dirt, and straddling her could not compare. He didn't even need to touch Euphie to feel his heart pounding in his chest. He was passionate just being near her. It wasn't because she was a Princess either. At that moment they were stripped of everything, even titles, and especially clothing.

A/N: Footnotes:

[1] Reference to Episode 5, when Suzaku was showing Euphie around the Tokyo Settlement.

[2] Totally just C&Ped that from Lonely Planet.

Wow I am obviously not a SuzuxEuphie shipper considering it took me almost 2 months to write this! I would do a paragraph here and there, forcing my way through fluff (not my thing,) because I think that there really needed to be a chapter about them before the SAZ event. Euphie needed to be shown with her contradicting ideals, and feeling like she is being pulled in different directions. The Train song inspired her inner struggle :)

Read and Review! Part of the reason chapters come out so much faster in my smutty SchnxLulu fic is because of all the fanfare. I LOVE reviews! They motivate me. :hint:

I already have over 2K+ words done on the next chapter that was started yesterday, and :drumroll: we are back in CANON! So it definitely won't take so long to get out. I forgot how easy and mind numbing it is to just watch an episode and write what I see on the screen.

Re Guest reviewer regarding this past arch being very teenagery. I agree with you. I think that's why my updates have been so sparse compared to when it was more action/drama/canon CG universe stuff. However, I feel like along the way we forget that this story is about teenagers! Lelouch is often seen as very cool, collected, and stoic; I just don't see that. The only time we see male!lelouch seem not put together with girls is the cupid episode. I needed more! Same goes with this chapter. In the anime we got like 15 minutes total to fall in love with SuzuxEuphie before "Bloodstained Euphie." That wasn't enough for me :-p