Part Four:

"The Knight's Resolve"

A right cross. A left hook. A jab to the stomach. And a hard upper cut to the chin.

Suzaku went down, crashing hard. His back hit the mat with such impact that it knocked the breath out of him. He lay stunned. And his mind raced with thoughts of bewilderment.

He never expected a guy with such a thin body mass to have such searing power. The moment he agreed to the match, Gino attacked him quickly and without mercy, sending one devastating blow after another to his face and body. There had been no time to react.

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

Ten seconds is 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 in his infantry, he lost most of his matches by K.O., misjudging his opponent's strength.

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

"Never expected that, did you? Well, I boxed in college." Gino smiled, looking amused.

"You could've told me that before we got started," Suzaku replied. Standing up straight, he took two steps forward to met Gino in the middle of the ring, putting his gloves in the air defensively. "I haven't boxed in a while." Although a quick trounce like that is no excuse, he thought.

"And spoil the surprise? Half the fun is shocking your opponent. Similar in the battlefield with our Knightmare Frames."

(Knightmare Frames: Piloted, autonomous Mecha, war-like machines, used for defensive or debasement, and originally used by Britannian forces to conquer Japan, before rebel forces, lead by Lelouch, stolen some with the aid of the Black Knights. )

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

"C'mon Suzaku, defend yourself!" Gino chastised. "Or has becoming a Knight of the Round made your soft? I thought you were stronger than this."

Suzaku rolled tiredly, dazed, to his stomach and lifted himself to his hands and knees. Sweat dripped from his face.

Gino gave him room by taking a couple of steps back. It was a customary gesture to all downed opponents in all sports and matches. It was similar to giving respect in the Japanese culture.

In official martial arts competitions, when an opponent was knocked to the ground, the other would step back, turn his back to him, and stay seated on his knees. When his opponent was ready to continue, he would return to the match.

It was also good strategy in any combative match. No fighter would stand idol over his opponent for long, or he would be subjected to a surprise attack. And even in the battlefield, that stood sound. You never knew what sort of tricks your opponent had, especially when you have little data on them.

But with every punch, despite missing, Suzaku gathered more information on Gino. Ever the strategist. He and Lelouch were alike in that way.

But the only reason he had bested Lelouch was because he believed in a worthier cause than to defeat the scourge that was Zero. Euphie. He sought revenge for her death, using blind anger to bring him down in the Geass cave on Kaminejima Island. And used brutal strength to do so. Lelouch had been no match for him.

However, now, and against Gino, his heart just wasn't in the match. He didn't want to fight.

"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 looked at Gino with serious eyes. "Don't go there, Gino. You know how much Euphie meant to me."

"But you were her chosen knight. She trusted you, relied on you to keep her safe, and you failed her."

"Shut-up, Gino! Just, shut the hell up!" he said behind 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 by Lelouch's actions, so did he. Princess Euphemia was a fool and it got her killed."

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

"That's the spirit, Suzaku," Gino said, almost smiling. "Feel your anger. Now, come at me with it!"

Tears begin to roll down Suzaku's cheeks. He thought he had found a friend who he could confine in; a Britannian who had acknowledged the importance of friendship. But it was a lie. And Gino showed his true colors. And he had dishonored Euphie. It was an unforgivable offense in Suzaku's mind.

He lunged, striking out with unbridled fury, delivering one devastating blow after another to Gino, as if possessed, filled with an unbelievable rage. And he felt nothing could stop him.

Within seconds of throwing his first punch and the others that followed, 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 an inch of his life for what he had said. But he didn't.

Looking down with hurtful eyes, he said, "I'm going to report this to the Emperor and have you dismissed from the Knights of the Round, Gino."

Gino laughed behind his beaten face. "Good boy, Suzaku. You did it."

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

"Of course not. You're my comrade, and despite knowing you only for a short time, I consider you a friend," Gino said. "I wanted to goat you to fight me, and I say, I did a good job. 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 said. "I really felt your anger."

"Sorry," Suzaku said, helping Gino to his feet.

"No need to apologize," Gino said. "When I saw you with the other Knights in the lounge, I knew you were putting up a brave face when they started talking about Lelouch and the Black Knights and how the rebellion was all over for them. They were a laughing. I could see it in your eyes how much their words were hurting you. So I figured that's the real reason you left, to seek solace elsewhere. That's when I found you in the conference room. In the hallway, I ran into Bismark who asked me to give you the gift."

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

"Because I know how you feel, especially in regards to Lelouch. I know he was a good friend. And I was concerned. You were angry, and I knew if you didn't vent, you were going to explode on the wrong person. I didn't want that to happen. I'll tell you a story. Remember my friend I told you about earlier. Well, just before me went out to battle in a Knightmare Frame, we had an 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 or die with hate in his heart. And I don't think Princess Euphemia would want that either. Sorry for what I said."

Suzaku smiled, and his anger quickly faded away. "Apology accepted. And I'm sorry for your loss."

Gino removed his gloves, dropping them to the mat. "Okay, change of subject. This is depressing me." He faked a smile. "So what was that gift? I was only asked to deliver it."

Suzaku removed his gloves, dropping them near by. "A book. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I read it before. It was a gift from the Emperor."

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

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. "Knowing who you are and where you 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. I was wrong. Within this lion's den of Britannian's, maybe I have found a friend who accepts and understands me, not as an Eleven or an honorary Britannian, or even a Knight of the Round, but as a fellow human being. This is the way everyone should act towards each other without prejudice.

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

Suzaku tried to hold in a snicker, but was unsuccessful. Then he burst out with boisterous laughter.

"What's so funny, Suzaku?" asked Gino

And Suzaku told him what Arthur had done.

END