Chapter VII

"Hit me with your best punch, Suzaku," Gino taunted, waving his gloves. Gino was almost giddy with excitement. "But I doubt you'll connect. I'm the Light Heavyweight Championship in my division for a reason. To me, you're nothing but chewing gum. I've also seen some of those Elevens' arena fights, and they fight like pussies. I hope you'll offer me better sport?"

Suzaku clenched his teeth. Gino's taunts were unnecessary. He had already agreed to fight, this was just adding fuel to the fire that burned inside.

But Gino did make Suzaku recall some moments when he was in the infantry. He had had some pretty brutal fights, even with his own regiment, some of which came to hard blows, bordering on blood sport, down and dirty brawls, that his superiors forced upon the Elevens, under threat of death. As Elevens, he had to obey all orders.

He also remembered he had a struggle with a particularly strong willed freedom fighter, who gave him his best fight. Unfortunately, it didn't end well for Suzaku. It didn't lose, but the man escaped after it was realized he would be captured by surrounding military forces.

Suzaku reported back to his superior and was punished for letting the man escape. His superior beat him. It had not been his fault, but to his superior, a Britannian, if an Eleven didn't succeed in his mission, he was guilty of dereliction of duty. Elevens didn't have the same rights as the general populace. They fought in the military to "earn" the right to the basic fundamental rights of everyone else. Why give "dogs" the same rights as humans, one Britannian had said.

And this give Suzaku the drive to change things and to give Elevens more dignity. All his experiences amounted to changing things from within. Sacrifices had to be made, and if he had to crawl around in the mud, bow down to regulations, to eventually climb the ladder, to finally be able to be in a position to change policy, then that was what he had to do.

But as for Gino bringing up Euphie, to stick that knife back into his heart, it was too much.

Gino moved to the right as Suzaku proceeded to the left, and they circled each other like animals, ready to fight in the wild, both ready, and prepared to pounce. Suzaku had a moment of hesitation, and that's when Gino attacked.

A right cross. A left hook. A had jab to the stomach. An upper cut to the chin with brutal force!

Suzaku went down, crashing hard. He lay stunned. And his mind raced with thoughts of bewilderment. Gino was so fast! And his punches were so hard. Gino was going full tilt.

He never expected a guy with such a thin body mass to have such searing power.

Suzaku groaned. And the Knight of Three stood over him like some sort of god, gloves on hips. "You have exactly ten seconds to get your sorry butt up or your forfeit, Suzaku," Gino said.

Ten seconds was the maximum time a referee gave a combatant before count out, Suzaku recalled. It was also referred to as a K.O. (Knock Out). It was one rule in Boxing he never forgot. Back when he fought others in his regiment, he lost some matches by K.O., misjudging his opponent's strength. History repeated itself here.

Staggering to his feet, he fell back into the ropes, slightly disorientated, and then moved into a corner to regain his senses.

Perez around the ring, jumped up, and said, "Sir Kururugi, can you continue?"

Suzaku looked at the other. He gave no reply.

"Never expected that, did you?" Gino smiled, looking bemused. "But answer the man."

Suzaku pushed Perez away from him, a glove in the young man's face. Perez tilted back, his hands waving in the air like he was trying to fly. He reached out for the top rope only to grasp at air and fell back to the floor, his back slamming onto the mats.

"Hey!" Gino pointed with a glove. "That's a fowl!"

"So was squirting me in the face with water," Suzaku spat back. "This makes us even."

Gino laughed heartedly. "I suppose so," he said.

Perez got to his feet, not begrudged, then returned to Gino's side of the ring. Gino said, "Perez, don't interfere again," he ordered, and Perez responded, "Yes, sir."

Suzaku stood up straight, he took two steps forward into the middle of the ring, putting his gloves in the air. "I haven't boxed in a while, and I underestimated you, Gino," he said. "But I'm ready now." Although a quick trounce like that is no excuse.

"Good," Gino said, punching his fists. "Think of this fight similar to that on the battlefield with our Knightmare Frames. Strategy is essential and you must take every advantage to win, exploiting your opponent's weakness to the point they have no hope, and are forced to surrender."

Gino approached the centre of the ring.

Suzaku took a swing at Gino. But Gino ducked, and side-stepped, dodged another, and then lay another right cross to Suzaku's face. He followed up with a mixed bag of punches, both to Suzaku's face and body. And Suzaku dropped to the mat again.

Gino huffed. "C'mon Suzaku, what's wrong with you? You're hesitating! Or has becoming a Knight of the Round made you soft? Don't be afraid to come at me! I initialed this match, so I won't charge you with striking an officer, not like your superior did when you were an infantryman, and after you beat the pants off him. I'm aware of a great deal of your past, Suzaku. He started a fight with you. I told you, we're equals, and I'm trying to help you."

"Help me?" Suzaku spat out a little blood from the corner of his mouth. "Some help!"

Gino's demeanour changed. "I can't help you unless you take the first step. Now, get up!" Gino gave him room, and took a couple of steps back. It was a customary gesture to all downed opponents in sports.

Suzaku rolled tiredly, dazed, and lifted himself to his hands and knees. Sweat dripped from his face. He felt the hurt in his face and body and it was slowing him down.

"What's the matter, Suzaku? Is Lelouch not worth fighting for? Is he not enough motivation?"

"Enough Gino," Suzaku said, sensing Gino's sardonic tone. But, he was right.

"Then how about Princess Euphemia? Was her death in vein?"

Suzaku's strength returned and he stared hard at Gino. "Don't go there, Gino. You know how much Euphie meant to me."

"You were her chosen knight. She trusted you, relied on you to keep her safe, and you failed her. How can anyone ever trust you? And you wonder why the other Knight's don't like you."

"Shut-up, Gino! Just, shut the hell up!" he said, between clenched teeth.

Gino chuckled in such a way that is disturbed Suzaku. "Looks like I struck a nerve. Well, here's food for thought. I never believed the Administrative Zone of Japan had a chance. Even the Emperor thought so, and he had plans to sabotage it just in case. And by Lelouch's actions, so did he. Princess Euphemia was a fool to believe in it, and it got her killed."

"You take that back Gino, right now!" And a wave of fury engulfed Suzaku, one he had not felt since confronting Lelouch in that cave, whereas he captured him. "How dare you say such a thing!"

Gino smiled. "Feel your anger. Now, come at me with it!" He extended his arms wide. "Strike me down! I'll even give you a free shot. The real match starts now."

Tears begin to roll down Suzaku's cheeks from both anger and hurt from Gino's words.

He thought he had found a friend who he could confine in, even trust, a Britannian who had acknowledged the importance of friendship with an Eleven other than Lelouch. But it was a lie. Gino showed his true colours. And he had dishonoured Euphie. It was an unforgivable offence.

Suzaku lunged, striking out with unbridled rage, delivering one devastating blow after another to Gino, as if possessed. And he felt nothing could stop him. All he felt was hate.

Within seconds, Gino went down. He hit the mat hard. And this time, Suzaku was the one standing victor. He wanted to continue to hurt Gino more, beat him to within an inch of his life for what he had said. But he didn't. And he took a couple of steps back in respect for the rules.

"Master Gino!" Perez gasped out.

Gino waved the boy off.

Looking down with hurtful eyes, Suzaku had no sympathy for Gino.

Gino laughed behind his beaten face. "Good boy, Suzaku," he said, smiling. "You did it. Do you feel better? Do you want to pummel me some more?"

Suzaku staggered back, dumbfounded by Gino's response. "What do you mean? Why did you say such hurtful things? Did you mean them?"

Gino sat up, slowly, cringing. "Shall I tell you a lie? Despite knowing you only for a short time, I consider you a friend," he said. "I wanted a steadfast, honest reaction out of you, and saying those things was the only way to get that." Gino felt his chin. Suzaku had really let him have it. By this time tomorrow, he knew, Gino's face will be black and blue. "Ow! Those were some hard punches." Gino winced. "I really felt your anger."

"Sorry," Suzaku said, extending a hand out and helping Gino to his feet.

"No need to apologize," Gino said, getting his balance. "When I see you with the other Knights, I know you're putting up a brave face when they start talking about Lelouch and the Black Knights. Mocking them is like mocking you. I can see it in your eyes how much they hurt you. No wonder you seek solace elsewhere, like the conference room. In the hallway, just before I found you, I ran into Bismarck who asked me to give you the gift—from the Emperor."

"Nothing could be further from the truth, Gino," Suzaku admitted, his anger fading away. "And I did notice you didn't join in their conversions when they mock me. Thank you."

"Because I know how you feel about Lelouch. And I hate all your self-loathing. I knew if you didn't vent, you were going to explode on the wrong person. I didn't want that to happen." He extended to the ring. "This is why we're here. I hope you're enjoying your birthday gift. Ow!"

Suzaku actually chuckled.

"I'll tell you a story," Gino continued. "Remember that friend I told you about earlier. Well, just before he went out to battle, we had a heated argument, and over a girl, no doubt. I told him we'd discuss it when he got back. But he never returned, he died. And I've regretted what I said to him since then. I told him I hated him. I don't want that for you. No one should live with hate in their heart. And I don't think Princess Euphemia would want that either. Sorry for what I said."

"Apology accepted. And I'm sorry for your loss."

Perez helped Gino remove his gloves, doing the same for Suzaku. "Okay, change of subject," Gino said. "So what was that gift from the Emperor? I was only asked to deliver it."

"It was a book, but one I've already read: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."

"The title sounds interesting. What's it about?"

And Suzaku told him.

Gino frowned, and then his mouth twisted to a position of disgust. "Heartless, utterly heartless! Even I find that gift in bad taste considering the history between you and Lelouch. It's not hard to see a comparison." Gino went to leave the ring, and Suzaku followed. "History is important," he then said, stepping between the second and top ropes. "Knowing who you are and where you've come from eliminates an identity crisis."

"You know, Lelouch said something similar to me years ago when we first met. He also said history is important."

"Lelouch is smart guy. Despite what he did, never forget him. And try to remember the good times. Once he returns to Ashford Academy, you can visit him all you want, if you want."

Suzaku nodded.

He was wrong.

Within this lion's den of Britannia, maybe he did find a friend who accepted and understood him—not as an Eleven or an honorary Britannian, or even a Knight of the Round, but as a fellow human being. This was the way everyone should act towards each other without prejudice. And if they had a little issue, they should help the other out and deal with it head-on.

"I have a suggestion," Gino said. "I think you should rip up that book and blame it on your cat."

Suzaku burst out with boisterous laughter.

"What's so funny, Suzaku?"

And Suzaku told Gino what Arthur had done.

To be continued...