Interlude 26: Scarlet Bodhisattva

The day has finally come. The day we take back our country. The day Zero's war against Britannia goes into high gear.

I'm nervous, I admit it. I never imagined myself being at the vanguard of an advancing army, much less as a commander.

But that's what you do, isn't it, Lelouch? You take us in your hand, crush us with the force of your personality, the raw charisma, until like coal under the earth? The pressure turns us into diamonds.

I sigh and shake my head, smiling to myself as I walk to his office. He brings out the best in people. Not by destroying or subjugating individuals, but by forcing them to confront their own character. A pressure cooker...no. A crucible.

And after what he did, getting my Mom out of the country and into a rehab clinic, disguised as, ironically enough, a nobleman's mistress?

I'm going to kiss that smug bastard till he can't see straight out of those smoking purple eyes of his.

Then again? He does have a right to be smug. After all, how many people can say they got an Imperial princess to defect on a global broadcast?

She definitely wasn't what I was expecting, though.

I can't fucking believe this shit. Did he seriously charm his sister into defecting on live TV?!

How the fuck can one guy have so much charisma?!

...And the thought pops into my head, 'You can't say that when you're wetting your panties for him, Tsundere-chan.'

...Probably not a good sign that one of my own thoughts sounds like CC. Granted, her voice is smoothly seductive...

I smack my cheek to put that thought elsewhere. Not now, dammit.

...Maybe later.

I look up to see Zero's giant dick-compensator Knightmare coming in for a landing.

The amusing part is that CC and Zero both made that joke themselves, apparently. So now the Gawain's official nickname around base is 'Zero's (Flying) Codpiece'. To which CC stated that that's one of her titles.

I couldn't help it, I laughed myself sick hearing that.

Time to meet the new girl.

I see her holding onto Zero as they descend via the hoist line. If she didn't know who was under the mask, she'd probably be more nervous...

Wait, why does she look so...

...Are you kidding me?

Did he seriously fool around with her on the way here?!

Judging by CC's smug look? Yup.

I'm amazed his skinny ass isn't a desiccated corpse by now, for how big his libido seems to be.

"BLACK KNIGHTS! ATTEN-SHUN!"

The entire hangar comes to a halt at his proclamation. Even Rakshata is quirking an eyebrow upwards from where she's working on something.

"No doubt, you are all wondering whether this was yet another of my brilliant plans."

His shoulders slump down in disappointment, mask seemingly having a cloud of depression over it.

"As much as I'd like to claim credit, however? This one surprised even me."

I put a hand over my mouth to stifle the giggle. Lulu getting blindsided by Princess Euphemia, of all people.

"I really wasn't expecting her to say what she did."

The Princess puts her hand on his shoulder and a look is shared, a look that says there's more to this than most of the rank and file knows.

I'll have to find him later and get the wily bastard to cough up the real story.

Hmm? Looks like the pinkette wants to talk.

"Greetings. I am Princess Euphemia li Britannia, Third Princess of the Holy Britannian Empire, twenty-third-in-line for the throne, and Sub-Viceroy for Area 11, formerly known as Japan."

Is...is she giving us a bow?!

"I requested asylum with the Black Knights and the protection of Lord Zero, because I listened to what he said at the Special Administrative Zone."

She sighs, shaking her head slowly. Zero really tore her a new one, that must have hurt both of them. And now I'm really curious about what happened when Lulu got his cover blown by her.

"I meant what I said there. I truly am sorry. Believe me when I say that all I wanted was to help people, regardless of origin. I knew my own people would scorn this effort. But I felt it was a way to change things, to show Britannia that Numbers are citizens of the Empire too, that a peaceful way forward was possible."

Damn, now I feel bad for thinking she was just an naive airhead. I mean, it's definitely idealistic to the extreme, but...

There's just something about her that's utterly guileless. A more cynical or realistic individual would never expect something like the SAZ to work.

...Damn. So that's what Zero meant by Schneizel backing it. The SAZ itself couldn't work. But Euphemia herself is unimpeachable in her earnestness.

I clench my fist, realizing the full extent of the trap Zero just waltzed through. Euphemia was just a pawn. She was never meant to succeed.

Because Schneizel could have pulled the rug out, any time he wished. Hell, all it would take is a few disgruntled and deniable proxies, and the entire thing would collapse.

"But that's just it, isn't it? My entire idea was built on a flawed foundation. None of you actually WANT to be part of the Empire."

Aw geez, now she looks like a kicked puppy. I just want to hug her.

"And why should you? For all the good we have done, none of it has ever come the way of anyone we've conquered. Why should you trust that this..this...is real..."

It's a hell of a thing to see. A member of the Britannian Royal Family, crying because she can't help people.

I can see why Lelouch likes her. She's like Shirley in a way. She's too kind for this. But there's a core of strength there, a kind of quiet presence that grabs your attention.

...Doesn't hurt that she's breathtakingly gorgeous.

"Zero was right, though," she says, wiping her tears away.

"This isn't what the Japanese people want, or what anyone under Britannia wants. That's why I begged him to save my people, to show them the error of their ways. Because no one else can."

Despite her voice dropping on that last sentence, the weight of it presses down like a chain on all our backs. It's a lot of responsibility, being told that you and the people you work with are the symbol of hope.

"And such is WHY I have acceded to her request. For even the heart of a king can moved by such earnest honesty and unbridled compassion."

Zero steps forward, turning in place to look at all of us, "And that is what makes us better than our enemies. Because we do understand the strength of compassion. And through it, we shall win this battle and step out onto the world stage."

He's winding up for something. I know enough of his rhetoric and personality by now to realize when he's setting the tone for a big buildup. Still damned impressive, though.

"A new country, with ideals taken from both Japan AND Britannia. The kind of potential that can only come from discarding those traditions and doctrines that would hold us back, and evolving into something greater than the sum of its parts."

I open my mouth in surprise as something clicks for me just then. I finally see it, a thing that only those closest to him would understand.

He sounds like his father just now...that's whose rhetoric is the closest match.

The aim and goals are different, the tone less confrontational, but?

Evolution. Embracing new ideas over tired old ones. Fighting to prove our existence, for the right to exist.

It's the same kind of symbolism and imagery as the Emperor.

"And so, ladies and gentlemen of the Black Knights? My Knights of Justice, my glorious war demons, my Army."

And none of them, none of them realize it. Nobody sees how he's taken the essence of Britannia, and made it his own. How Zero has become a king in his own right.

His arms spread wide, the mood at a crescendo, everyone waiting for the denouement. C'mon, Lelouch, stop with the suspense already.

"The Heavens shall bind no more. In the name of Mara and the Mandate of Hell. Black Knights!"

He goes into a stage bow slowly, his voice assuming a lower register, a rumbling sound that causes me to shudder from the vibrations.

"Let's. Make. WAR."

I bite my lip to keep from saying anything as cheers erupt. Dammit, Lulu. I was expecting loud and over-the-top, not low, sensual, and intoxicatingly sexy. You shouldn't be able to make the word 'war' sound like lovemaking, you bastard!

That was a little bit less than a day ago. After that, Zero went into a frenzy of activity, organizing cells and groups into battalions, activating forces around the country. Sabotage campaigns, blackouts, open riots, even a full G-1 base.

I walk towards his office, knowing that we go to strike Tokyo soon. No more waiting, no more hiding back our power. It's time at last to bare our fangs.

I knock on the door, waiting to see if he's in. Hopefully I'm not interrupting him having sex, that would be really awkward. Then again, he's probably not that reckl—...oh who the fuck am I kidding? He's absolutely reckless enough to do that.

I open the door quietly, and thankfully? He's not doing anything of the sort. Instead he's talking with Tohdoh, of all people.

"I am not pleased with how you handled that."

Lelouch makes a dismissive noise with his mouth, before rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Even if you dislike him, you did not need to act so condescending. It was childish and beneath you to do so."

Wow, Tohdoh is chewing him out? What the hell happened?

Lulu sighs, letting a deep breath out as he lies back in his chair, spinning in place, "You're not wrong. I'm just so goddamned tired of dealing with the exact same shit, over and over again. How many of these stupid bastards am I going to have to kill before they finally take the hint?"

I'm guessing he's talking about the Burakumin thing. Admittedly, I don't have as much experience with that as some of the others. Chalk it up to my Britannian heritage.

I peek through the gap, watching the conversation between these two titans of warfare.

"I cannot say. It is regrettably a deeply-rooted part of our culture. Even Katase bemoaned how we were losing potential officers for it."

Lulu snorts at that, chuckling darkly.

"Speaking of which, there's a few things I want to air now, since Asahina decided to pull this bullshit."

Asahina? That glasses-wearing guy that works for Tohdoh? What did he do?

"Oh?"

Lelouch scratches his cheek, "I'm sure you're aware that I was probably planning to kill Katase by now."

Obvious statement. Even without the betrayal of Narita, the man was a nationalist moron.

"I had presumed as much, given your palpable anger with the man when you extracted me from Gifu Prison."

Lelouch gestures airily, "I was likely going to kill him later, even without the betrayal of Narita. In truth? You were the only reason I even bothered to reach out to the JLF at all. I was perfectly content to let Cornelia slaughter the rest of them. Especially given that I wrote her a letter stating exactly that to provoke her into butchering your organization after Kawaguchi."

...He's just telling him this? Just like that?! What the hell is wrong with him?!

Tohdoh frowns, furrowing his brow as he sits down, hands gripping the table, knuckles red with restrained emotion.

"Why are you bringing this up now? We are on the eve of our final battle for control of this country, and you remind me of your part in the destruction of the group that I dedicated seven years of my life to? What possible reason could you have to-!"

"I'm sorry."

I gasp at that remark, hoping nobody heard me. Tohdoh himself clearly wasn't expecting that answer.

"何?" (What?)

Lulu spins the chair to look off to the side, out the window with the shades drawn, a melancholy look on his face.

"I screwed you guys over because I was righteously indignant that a hiruko like Kusakabe could rise so high in the organization. So I decided to kill two birds with one stone and crush the JLF by destroying you via propaganda."

He looks off to the side...at the door where I'm peeking through. Fuck!

"You might as well come in, Kallen. You'll probably want to hear this too."

I open the door slowly, a blush on my cheeks at being caught eavesdropping as I lock the door behind me.

"How long did you know I was there?"

Lelouch points to one of the monitors near the table...showing the outside of the door.

...Really? I missed a fucking camera? God, I feel so stupid.

"Don't beat yourself up too much. That particular camera is quite discrete if you don't know where to look for it. I wanted to know if anyone was outside waiting for me while I had the door locked and because I figured you guys wouldn't appreciate me being caught in flagrante delicto."

I sit down and immediately thump my head on the table. I fucking knew it.

"Can we get back to the serious discussion instead of your being a perv, Lulu?"

Lelouch sips some of his tea, making a face at the flavor, "Bleh, cold tea. Kallen, can you please make us a fresh pot? And turn on the music to Tartini's 'Devil's Trill Sonata'?"

Me? I blink and point at myself. I drink tea, sure. Every Britannian does. But it's not my drink of preference. More importantly, though? I have no idea how to brew it properly!

"Why are you asking me? Aren't you much better at this than I am?" I say exasperatedly at him.

Tohdoh stifles a smile at my embarrassed face, "It's less difficult than it seems, Kōzuki-kun. Even a military man such as myself can brew an adequate pot."

Lelouch rubs his eyes, shaking his head like he's trying to wake up a bit. Come to think of it, when did he last sleep?

"That's horseshit. Tea making is an art. You can get away with adequate pots of it with the trash-tier bag stuff, but to make great tea with the actual leaves and things like matcha powder? You need to know what you're doing. Temperature control, the type of pot you're using, timing mechanisms—"

I growl at him for the implied insult, "We get it! Shut up already, you elitist prick!"

He closes his mouth, leaning back in the chair sulkily with a small yawn, "I was just correcting a misconception. I had the same argument with Rivalz awhile ago."

How fucking tired is he?

I get up and start making the tea, following the instructions on the bag after turning on the song he asked for. Like hell I'm trying to use any of the fancy stuff he's got here. The bag tea may be trash, as he says? But it's also easy and more forgiving of mistakes from amateurs. And who is Tartini, anyway?

"As I was saying? I was annoyed at the JLF for the criminal waste of resources and creating false hope. But Kusakabe struck a nerve."

I listen quietly, hearing the water boil behind me as I watch his face cycle through several emotions, before finally settling on resignation. The violin playing is quite soothing to listen to, probably why he asked for that.

"And Katase? He showed himself to be a fool with no concept of how to win, or even what to do if Japan itself could be taken. Thus, I could not respect him. And that's putting aside his nationalist rhetoric, something I could never countenance poisoning the Black Knights."

He smiles gratefully as I hand up a cup, bags under his eyes. Dammit, why am I the only one who seems to realize how much this is taking out of him? He looks like he's ready to collapse...

"So when Kyoto sought an audience? I convinced Kirihara of the futility of their position, and later revealed myself to Kaguya. Who subsequently hopped into my lap and declared herself my fiancée," Lelouch says with a wistful smile.

It's a testament to how much ridiculous shit I've been through in the last few months, that this doesn't even merit a raised eyebrow. Besides, as young as she is? That girl has the bearing of true nobility. Someone willing to bow their head to us for the mistake of provoking this war, even if she was too young to have anything to do with it?

I can't help but admire that kind of courage and dedication.

"Of course, the trip to Okunoin afterwards was a fun time, particularly getting to introduce Kallen to the joys of Heavy Metal. She even cried tear of joys," he says with a sly grin.

I look away, cheeks red. Why does he like embarrassing me so much?! He's not wrong, I really do love that music and I'm grateful to him for showing it to me.

But he's making me blush in front of Tohdoh Kyoshiro! Damn you, Lelouch!

"It was Kaguya's idea to create the forgery signatures on those orders I threw at you at Narita."

I do a double take at what he just said. FORGERY?!

Tohdoh's eyes widen as the implication hits him, "So Katase was right to refuse the orders the entire time?"

Zero shrugs as he sips his tea, "I didn't bother asking Kyoto for permission. And two of the Hanko were real; Kirihara Taizo and Sumeragi Kaguya both agreed with my plan. And the odds were good I could get a majority if they weren't completely brain-dead. The problem was that they would have likely demanded that I share command with Katase. And that was a problem."

He sets his tea down, eyes closed, a malevolent look on his face, "You see, someone like him would have fractured the Black Knights. Just like Yoshino tried to do. And just like Asahina was attempting to do when he aided the coup, and has been doing ever since, thinking he was under my radar."

"Wait, hold up. What did Asahina do?" This is the first I'm hearing of this. I thought you weren't keeping secrets from us, Zero!

Tohdoh takes a sip of tea before giving me a very tired look, looking like an old man worn down by war instead of the middle-aged hero we all respect.

"Zero provided conclusive proof that Asahina Shogo was conspiring with the late Lord Yoshino to launch a coup d'état and deliver the Black Knights, and this country, to the hands of Sawazaki and the Chinese."

I look Lelouch in the eye, his purple meeting my cerulean, "How long did you know about his betrayal?"

"Yuki-onna told me when I first learned of the coup, and delivered the proof to me before I used my Geass on General Tsao."

Of course, it was obvious to all of us that he'd done something to the general. A guy like that, who was in command of an invasion force? What possible reason would he have to give a spiteful declaration to the government in charge? Unless it wasn't his idea to begin with.

"You truly are a fiendish individual, Lelouch vi Britannia. Manipulating all of us, using us for your own ends, all to ensure that your ambitions are fulfilled," Tohdoh growls out, white knuckled grip on his tea cup.

Lulu stands up, giving a hard glare to both of us.

"Spare me. I told you to show some intellectual honesty when I first unmasked myself to you. I will repeat the demand. Do you seriously think I was in the wrong? And if I'm such an evil manipulator, why the fuck am I even bothering to tell you what I'm doing or revealing it NOW?" he hisses at us, arms down on the table, palms flat as he takes a deep breath.

Every damn time I think I have a handle on him, he does a stunt like this and upends everything.

"I'll spare you the trouble of getting pissed at me and wasting time and just tell you. It's because I give a damn about you. I actually do care. Yes, I do things that aren't always aboveboard sometimes, but it isn't always my preference to do so. This is war, and war is rarely ever clean. And that's why I'm winning. Because unlike Katase, I actually know how to fight Britnania, and I'll do it without compromising my values. And if that means having most of you angry at me afterwards?"

He sinks into the chair, a haunted look on his face, "Then it's better than having to read eulogies at your funerals. I'm not a decent person by any means, but give me that much credit, at least."

Why? Why are you such a contradiction in terms? Why do you drive me so crazy?!

"Why am I falling so hard for you?" I whisper.

A clink breaks the moment as Tohdoh puts his tea down gazing intently into Lulu's eyes.

After a moment, he starts speaking in a low voice, "Asahina confided in me that he could not understand how you were able to accomplish what you have done. Or why people would pledge themselves to you. He was especially puzzled as to why I myself follow you."

His gaze shifts to me for a moment, before returning to meeting Zero's sulking look. For somebody with such a fearsome reputation and presence?

He's actually cute when he's sulking. I kind of want to sit on his face...

I slap myself to blank that thought out. Damn that man for being so sexy.

"It is true that you are ruthless, uncaring of tradition, willing to transgress against any kind of established order. A man determined to achieve the Divine Ambition."

Divine ambition? I've heard him use that term before. He's never really elaborated on it. "What is this ambition?"

Lelouch sits up, and I take a step back at the light in his eyes. Not the red flare of Geass, no, this is something else. An all-consuming flame, a conflagration that towers over everything around it.

"To spit in the eye of God. To do what no man has achieved before. To rule the world," his voice carrying the crushing gravity of a god pronouncing a universal truth.

...If someone had told me I'd be fighting for a madman seeking world domination, I'd have told them to go fuck themselves with a rifle and pull the trigger.

But for him? For this man? I sincerely believe the world would be better under him. That he could, in fact, create the kind of better world that my brother wanted. That his sister wishes for. That I, and every other person under the yoke of tyrants desires.

"But at the same time? You have shown a capacity for honor, wisdom, and restraint beyond your years. Am I angry at you for deceiving myself and the JLF? Of course. But at the same time, I must acknowledge why you felt compelled to do so. And...?"

Tohdoh shakes his head, looking Lelouch in the eyes, steely grey eyes of a warrior and a national hero, meeting the amethyst eyes of a Demon King, a legend among mortals.

"I find myself asking if I would not have done the same thing in your position."

I blink in astonishment at that answer. I thought he was going to be furious.

"Aren't you upset? He ruined the JLF. He set your organization up to be killed. Why are you so calm about it?" I ask, a puzzled look on my face.

The man looks at me with a tired expression, "To what end, Kōzuki-kun? What's done is done. And he was right when he pronounced us as failures chasing a fallen dream. We were complacent and we paid dearly for it. I could be outraged at him for provoking Cornelia, yes. But Kusakabe provoked the both of them first, and Zero was right back then. We should have realized the kind of man he was and done something."

He looks at me, and seems to realize something, "Ah. I did not realize it before. You are part Britannian. That makes my point even more clear."

I sit down, holding my cup of tea as the violin plays on in the background, striking a melancholy air to match the atmosphere in the room.

"Someone like you, caught between two worlds. You would not be accepted by either the Japanese, nor by the Britnanians, were your heritage known."

I snort at the obviousness of it. Tell me something I don't know.

"And that is another reason I cannot be angry at Zero. Because he was right about our culture. We were prideful, to the point of hubris. And dare I say, had it been us in the position of Britannia, I wonder if we would not have acted the same way."

I shiver at the idea. A Japanese empire, encircling the globe, monsters like Kusakabe commanding armies beset on conquest.

That's fucking terrifying. And the worst part is? Under people like Genbu Kururugi, or Katase? I could see it. A Greater Japanese Empire, as horrifying and evil as Britannia.

"But therein lies the difference. Lelouch could easily do what I said, become a tyrant like his father, a monster uncaring of anyone's will save his own. But he does not."

Tohdoh stands, walking over to Lelouch, looking down at him, "I don't see the tyrant Asahina does. I don't see a monster. I see a man, who instead of killing my subordinate as he had every right to, came to me first, to ask my advice about how to handle this. I see a man fighting to be something greater than a mere tyrant."

This feel like a moment that should be written about, that something worthy of history is happening between these two.

"I do not see a destroyer of all that is Japanese. I see the boy I knew long ago, grown into his own as a man, as a king."

Lelouch holds his hand out, grasping Tohdoh's with his own, eyes looking upward.

"I shall strive to keep you on the path of righteousness, Lelouch. As long as you do your best to remain on it? You shall have my service."

A drop of moisture gathers at Lulu's eyes, "Thank you, Kyoshiro...my friend..." he whispers.

I think I got something in my eye, I feel something wet on my face too. Then again? Who wouldn't be affected seeing this?

"There is one question I must ask, however. Lelouch, when did you last sleep?"

Come to think of it, I don't think I remember him going to sleep...oh hell no. Don't fucking tell me he's been awake the whole time since the SAZ?!

"I dunno, yesterday? A quick hour nap, here and there?"

I march over and smack him on the back of the head, "What the hell is wrong with you?! You're the one planning this entire battle! We can't have you out of it because you think you have to micromanage everything beforehand and didn't bother to rest!"

He rubs the back of his head, muttering, "I'm an OCD motherfucker, sue me."

The general turns to me, "Captain Kōzuki, I order you to stay with Lelouch and ensure that he gets some rest before the battle, by any means necessary."

I salute before going to parade rest, "Yes, General!"

The man returns the salute, "In informal settings, you may call me Kyoshiro. I leave him in your hands. And unlike my own person? You are not opposed to his hands wandering."

I blush cherry red at the zinger as Lelouch starts howling with laughter.

"Hahahahahahaha! Fuck you, Kyoshiro! This is payback for my flirting with you, isn't it?! Hahahahahahahhaha!"

Tohdoh gives a slight bow, smirking, "As I said previously? You first, sir."

I put a hand over my mouth to stop myself from laughing as Tohdoh moves out the door, "We leave in 6 hours. I hope you will be sufficiently recovered by then, Zero."

I look to Lelouch, who looks alot lighter and more relaxed than he did earlier.

"You look like shit," I say as my laughter dies off.

"And you look as beautiful and vibrant as the first time I saw you in Shinjuku," he says with a voice full of emotion.

Smooth. Real smooth, Lulu.

I put him in a headlock, dragging his skinny ass to a cot in a backroom and locking the door behind us..

"You're lucky I like you or I'd never let you get away with this shit," my voice echoes quietly in the empty domicile.

Wait...is he purring? I look incredulously at him as he rubs his head against my arm, like he wants me to pet him.

"Swear to god you're going to drive me insane one day."

I let him go, letting his head fall back onto the bed, his eyes somewhat out of focus as his breathing slows down. Wow, he really was overtired.

Shit, almost forgot, "Rakshata said to tell you that she'll have your surprise package ready by the time we're ready to hit Tokyo."

He gestures for me to come closer, a smile playing at his lips.

Okay, sure...woah! I let out a yelp as he pulls me onto the bed, arms wrapping around me. Smug little shit, I ought to—!

"Kallen, stay with me, please. Just...hold me."

...Fuck. How do I say no to that?

"I'm not asking to have sex or anything like that. I just...need to be held. It's going to be a very trying and long night soon. I'd like to have just one moment of quiet with someone I love before then."

My response is to kick off my shoes, pulling the blanket over us both. A nap on a cold night sounds pretty good right now. Winter is almost here. And with it, the chilling fear of what may come. So...I take a chance.

"愛しています。" (I love you.)

In the quiet of that room, with the lights out, and only the sound of soft breathing, I can clearly hear his response. And it makes my heart burst with joy.

"I love you, too."