Turn 12.3: Omiai
Honnōji. A name steeped in history. Over four hundred years ago, my predecessor met his end thanks to the treacherous actions of his retainer, Akechi Mitsuhide.
Short-sighted fools. Had Lord Oda successfully unified Japan, they might be where Britannia is now.
Huh. That's actually a disturbing thought, come to think of it. Almost reads like bad fanfiction.
Some might find it bizarre that a temple complex like Honnōji is still standing, given Britannia's insistence on crushing the local culture. The truth is actually a mixture of mundane reasons and unspoken agreements
While Tokyo was reduced to a blasted shell, which the settlement was built on top of, Kyoto wasn't targeted as extensively. Partly due to the Japanese Imperial Army making its last stand in Kanto, and partly because due to lack of enemy personnel, the Britannian commanders decided to ignore Kyoto in favor of crushing the Japanese army and targeting Kururugi Genbu.
Of course, Suzaku's actions threw a wrench into the works. With Genbu dead, the command structure was decapitated; the army fractured, largely forming into the JLF, and assorted resistance groups. The government cabinet fled, some being captured, others escaping to other countries.
The NAC (i.e. Kyoto) quietly discouraged any groups from using the ancient sites for their activities. While also claiming to the new governors that destroying them would needlessly aggravate the local population.
Combined with the rampant corruption and Clovis's disinclination to do any actual work? It's surprising how many old places like this still exist, once you get outside Tokyo anyway. By virtue of being the former capital, and the site of the new settlement and Viceroy's palace, Tokyo suffered far more damage than the rest of the country.
That reminds me. I tap a button on my helmet, "Memo to self: Start making arrangements for the Chinese invasion and contact Li Xing-ke. Priority on capturing Chinese commander and Sawasaki Atsushi alive."
It's almost 1pm. Normally, I would be more circumspect than to meet out in the open in uniform. But this required a touch of theatrics. And Sumeragi Kaguya is a girl, no, a young woman, who enjoys theater.
A ping from my phone alerts me that she's just entered the temple grounds. I switch on the speaker systems that I had installed and wait.
After a few moments, I start the music up. I felt something thematically appropriate was called for.
"Please allow me, to introduce myself. I'm a man of wealth and taste."
I tap my foot to the Stones' rhythm.
"I've been around for a long, long year
Stole many a man's soul and faith."
I start singing along, walking to the courtyard.
"And I was 'round when Jesus Christ,
Had his moment of doubt and pain."
I tap my foot to the beat as I let Mick take the next verse.
"Made damn sure that Pilate
Washed his hands and sealed his fate."
And there she is. Looking resplendent in her robes, with a raised eyebrow at the music.
I tap dance over to her, miming a kiss on her hand with my mask.
"Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name.
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game," I sing as I stand back up.
A finger snap turns off the music.
"A bit much for a one-off joke, I admit, but a magician must occasionally be allowed his indulgences."
She's smiling, the twitch at the corners of her mouth betraying her difficulty holding her poker face.
"Not at all. After all, you do seem to be working magic, Master Zero."
I stand in front of her, and then gesture to the courtyard, "Let's walk. I believe we have important things to discuss."
She nods as we walk along the stone path. Kyoto has arranged for the temple complex to be closed today, and I set a few Geassed watchers around just in case.
"Lord Kirihara was frustratingly vague regarding the reason for this meeting. I'd almost say he was teasing me if I didn't know better."
Taizō, I tip my hat to you. Or helmet, as the case may be.
"I have a bet with him that you would walk away from this meeting happier than you've been in seven years."
Well, actually he called it a sucker's bet and refused to take it. But she doesn't need to know that.
Kaguya looks up at me with a cat-like smile, "My, planning to seduce me already? I'd heard rumors you were a man with a touch of perversion, it's interesting to see how much is true."
I gesture toward the main complex of the temple, "Do you know why I chose Honnōji as our meeting place?"
She taps her chin as she considers her answer, "I would assume some kind of symbolism with your title, or perhaps it was off the beaten trail enough for your purposes?"
Smart as a whip. "Half right. It's also a place I can use as an analogy."
I gesture grandly, "Japan was corrupt, rotten to the core. The Second Pacific War would undoubtedly have happened eventually; Britannia's ambitions know no limits. But the Oriental Incident forced Britannia's hand. Much like my predecessor's betrayal, the greed of foolish men doomed a better future for Japan."
The Sumeragi head closes her eyes in remembrance, "My father spoke to me before he died. He said our greed had provoked a dragon and our punishment was to remember that. Because the people would not. And that we should not make the same mistake again if we ever got Japan back."
"And what do you say, having thought on this a great deal no doubt?" I say quietly, looking up at the clouds.
Kaguya sighs and shakes her head.
"My father was wrong in only one respect. The same mistake that the JLF is still making. There is no more Japan to go back to."
I smile beneath my mask, "Then perhaps, a Demon King can create something new. The king that was once a demon of the forest at the Kururugi Shrine," I say as I remove my mask, holding it out to her with my back turned.
"And who has come back from the depths of Hell to fight for justice."
She looks at me in shock, "まさか…あなたは…" (It can't be...You are…?!)
I turn around, regal features showing in the sunlight, purple eyes meeting jade orbs.
"その通りだ、ルルシュヴィブリタニア。久し振りだよ、皇神楽耶姫。" (Exactly. Lelouch vi Britannia. It's been a long time, Princess Kaguya Sumeragi.)
Her eyes are wet with tears and wide with shock. Her left hand covering her mouth as the right reaches out to touch my face while trembling.
"こ、これは…真実か?夢じゃないか?" (T-this...is real? It's not a dream?)
I pull her close, enveloping her in my arms and cloak.
"夢がありません。我は本当に生きている、" (It's not a dream. I really am alive,) I say as I stroke her long hair.
Her response is to squeeze me tightly while crying quietly.
"You were right," she says softly.
I raise an eyebrow in question.
She looks up with stars in her eyes, "I haven't been this happy in seven years."
And with that she grabs my head and pulls me into a kiss.
Naturally, I respond after overcoming my surprise.
Our lips part after a moment as she looks with a smug grin.
"I wanted to do that seven years ago. I wasn't willing to wait another."
I laugh as I sit down, holding her in my arms.
"Taizō might not have told you who I am, but I take it he told you his decision?"
She nods, "Officially, Kyoto will be throwing their support to the Black Knights as a major resistance group."
I smile triumphantly, "And unofficially?"
Kaguya looks at me with a smug grin, "Taizō-sama told me privately that I'd understand once I met you. He said Kyoto is not capable of gaining a better tomorrow for the Japanese people. But Zero, 大六天魔王, is. And that he's giving you full control over everything, including the JLF."
YES! JACKPOT!
She giggles as she snuggles into me, "I have been advocating for you, admittedly, and nursing a bit of a crush on the hopefully handsome masked hero who's fighting for justice."
She looks up at my face with tears still coming down her eyes, "But, to think the boy I liked so long ago, has become a man and the one who's saving my people? I almost can't believe it."
"Admittedly, the whole 'Justice' thing is part propaganda, part indoctrination," I say with a shrug.
She nods, "It was obvious you have a different agenda from everyone else. You're setting yourself up as a messiah. An actual hero of justice. But...it's not just good publicity, is it? You actually believe in what you're saying."
I cup her chin with a gloved hand, "Indeed. It's not just a counter for the Empire's rhetoric. It's my personal belief that I will see made real. Tell me Kaguya, how would you like to be the new Empress of Japan?"
She sits up with a start, "何?" (WHAT?!)
"Japan may be mine if I can but claim it, but I have no desire to rule. So I'm going to give that task to someone worthy. And I believe the Sumeragi clan does have a connection to the Chrysanthemum Throne," I whisper, eyes twinkling mischievously.
Kaguya glomps onto me, "I accept your proposal, Master Zero. Consider us engaged."
I burst out laughing. Yeah, should have seen that coming. Oh well. It's such a burden being wonderful.
That reminds me, I should find out if Steel Panther exists here.
"There's one catch, I'm afraid."
She looks at the ground, her eyes downcast, "Am I so unattractive, my lord?"
I kiss her neck, drawing a gasp as I cuddle her.
"Far from it. A bit young, true. But I'm Britannian. And we don't have to go all the way for awhile. When you're 15 or so, consider a night with Zero as your birthday present."
She purrs as I nuzzle her cheek, "Mmm, then what's the catch, my lord?"
"You're going to have to share."
Her response is a blush and a radiant smile.
"Oh my. Master Zero is indeed a man of considerable appetites."
She blinks as something seems to occur to her.
"Wait, I just remembered. How is Nunnally? Is she alright?"
I nod, "My sister regained her sight not too long ago. She'll be overjoyed to see you. Probably almost as much as your cousin."
That prompts a depressing sigh from her small form.
"Oh Suzaku...why have you chosen such a foolish path? Thank you for saving my idiot cousin, Lelouch."
I cough after that. This ought to be good.
She raises an eyebrow and then wiggles on my lap to turn and face me.
So fucking tempting...she's almost certainly doing it deliberately.
"What are you not telling me, Lulu?"
I look to the side innocently, "I may have had a long talk with Suzaku about his goals in life and suggested alternate methods."
She squeals and hugs me.
"You got through to him?! I was the only person who ever even tried over the years after he joined Britannia. How did you do it?"
Well, I'm probably going to marry her eventually. And Lelouch NOT explaining the magic mind-rape eye is what fucked him over last time.
She's skeptical, of course. Geass sounds like fantasy novel bullshit. Thankfully, that kick line video I took of the Royal Guard is very useful for dealing with naysayers. That, and showing the evil eye briefly.
"And so, I Geassed Suzaku to 'Be honest with yourself for one hour' ."
She looks at me solemnly.
"And?"
I sigh deeply, "Suzu had been trying to get himself killed as a martyr ever since he killed his father to save us. His goal was to die in battle for his crimes. He actually tried to bash his skull in with a rock when he realized it consciously."
She gasps, "That's what happened?! My god, no wonder Suzaku had such a deranged plan."
I nod grimly, "He spent the next several hours in hysterics. But..."
I sigh and rub my forehead, "How would you describe his expressions over the years?"
The Lady Sumeragi grips her robes with her dainty hands as she answers, "Withdrawn. Hollow. Dead. I cannot tell you how many times I have been tempted to slap him and scream at him to talk to me."
"Exactly. Suzaku Kururugi carried a death wish for almost a decade. Saving the man I love from his own stupidity is going to take years."
I swear to god, the light bulb going off in her head as she realizes what I just said could be seen all the way over in Tokyo.
"You mean...you like men too?" she asks in disbelief.
I smirk, "Yes, actually, though I'm admittedly quite picky. Suzu is the only man I've considered worthy thus far."
She hides her face behind her sleeve as she starts giggling like...
Oh god, she sounds like Milly.
"ふふふ、ZERO~さまは本当に変態した男です。ほほほほ。" (Fu fu fu. Master Zero truly is a pervert. Ho ho ho ho.)
I hang my head with a sigh. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"
She shakes her head as she continues giggling.
I pull out my cell phone and start dialing. A few rings later...
"Hello, Warrant Officer Kururugi speaking."
"Hey Suzu, guess who wants to say hi?"
"Lelouch? Who's that with you? I can hear giggling."
I put my cell on speakerphone and lean back against the wooden pillar we've been sitting next to. Really should see about getting a video phone soon. This is going to be priceless.
"Suzaku-kun! How could you forget your favorite cousin?"
It's a pity he can't see the coquettish expression she's making right now.
He'd probably run for the hills.
"Kaguya?! What are you doing with—!"
I cough to interrupt, "This is a business call as well as personal. Kaguya-chan has agreed to help us with our project along with the other investors."
I swear I can all but hear the gears grinding in his head.
"I...see. So why the giggling? I have to admit, I haven't missed that at all."
"Because, Suzu~, I found out two of my favorite people are still alive, and that a certain someone FINALLY pulled his head out of his ass! Why didn't you talk to me about this all these years?!"
Uh-oh. I think I may have just walked into a family feud. Looks like this was bothering her awhile.
"Pulled my head out of...Lulu, what did you tell you my insane cousin?" he says exasperatedly.
I pinch my nose as I literally feel a migraine coming on.
"My FIANCÉE here has been caught up on current events, and she's none too pleased with your now-derailed, quote, 'deranged plan', unquote. Her words, not mine."
Your ass, Suzaku, not mine. I'm here for you, but you're going to be getting a fair amount of shit for this for awhile.
Hmm. Actually...
"I have an idea," I whisper.
Of course, Kaguya is still chewing out Suzaku, who's too stubborn to just back down and apologize for not telling her.
I pick up the phone, taking it off speakerphone, "Suzu, please hold one moment."
I put him on hold and turn to Kaguya.
A stern look from me cows her.
I thump her on the head gently.
"痛…" (Ow...)
"Suzaku has been through enough. He knows damn well he was wrong. And you know full well he hasn't been in good shape psychologically for years. So knock it off."
I sit back in a huff, looking through my jacket for my cigarette case.
"As I was saying," I say as I pull out my lighter, sparking a joint off and taking a deep inhale.
"There's something I want to do. And you'll get the chance to talk to Suzaku too afterwards."
I put the phone back on speakerphone.
"Suzu, are you free the next few days?"
"One moment," he says as I hear footsteps and a manic animated voice talking.
After a few moments I hear Suzaku's voice again, "My boss says I can take the next few days off. Something about data analysis needing to be done without human interference. I don't think he even looked up when he said it."
Lloyd Asplund. Fucks given? Zero.
"Excellent. Call Kallen and tell her to come with you. There's something important I need to show you. CC will tell you where."
I hang up and then I put Kaguya over my knee.
"Master Ze-ouch!" she yelps as I spank her.
"That was for fighting with Suzu."
I lean over and kiss the spot where I spanked her.
"And that, was a promise to give you a night to remember in one year."
She sits up, looking at me with flushed features.
"Were you always this good, or did your harem members teach you?" she says as she nuzzles my cheek.
"Part natural talent, and part CC, who you're going to meet later, being a grandmaster of the sexual arts."
Kaguya fans her face with a huge smile, "I think I'm going to enjoy being part of your entourage immensely."
She kisses me on the lips for a moment and then skips off to stand in the courtyard.
Tastes like plums, perhaps a touch overripe.
Okay, so it seems I inherited the huge sex drive from both Charles and Marianne. In addition to what I had before being blended with Lulu.
I step up, cape swirling behind me.
"Well Princess, we have an appointment to keep, shall we?"
She takes my arm with a blissful sigh.
"はい、許婚。何処へ行きましょうか?" (Of course, my betrothed. Where are we going?)
I put my mask back on as we walk, "大阪。" (Osaka.)
It's time I made this official.
