AN: As always, thank you to EVERYONE for reading the story, I must admit, I am VERY close to nuking the story, but do not fret, I would just start from scratch rather than abandoning it.
I really enjoy writing these chapters and I hope you all can find some enjoyment out of this chapter. Thank you to EVERYONE who dropped a review, including the guest accounts, beatshield, Scarease, and darqhorse. I very much appreciate it. And to the next three gave me quite an amazing review:
James20911997: As always I appreicate these reviews, you linked a lot of the late story actions to some of the early story beats, one of which I will admit it was not intentional, haha, but I guess maybe it was in some part of my mind I knew it was following a theme. I honestly loved writing Nunnally with Kallen it felt so cute. You have some very interesting interpertations of the origami, which are the ones I expected to see from you and other reviewers but I will admit the symbolisim on those is a bit more subversive, but I won't say anything : )
DarkDremota: I find your interpertation of Mao pretty cool, I also thought of him in a similair way as you describe him, but I moved away from it later on. The Joker is obviously a very unique character, but honestly he's so unique I don't think it's even worth trying to draw a parallel to him. Also glad to see you got caught off guard by the Lelouch/Nunally are royals to Kallen reveal. I actually held off Kallen seeing Nunnally because at that point it's too obvious haha. I will say Kallen's bursting emotions at the end are definitely positive ones. Also yeah the "loophole" in the last chapter is the only way I could have the situation play out due to Kallen's twisted loyalty to Britannia, glad you caught that. The chapter 9 mall slogan was absolutely on purpose too lol.
AliceXS: I have to say, I always appreciate long reviews and yours blew me away, these long reviews are very comprehensive and I feel I can reflect on my story with someone, you in particular gave a lot of strong criticisms which I'm inclined to agree on. I will admit it's difficult for me to understand why people like my stories so seeing someone give out a literal list of reasons allows me to reflect on myself. I cannot thank you enough for this. I love all your take and reads on the character and chapters, although I'm not surprised you and others got the origami symbolism wrong, but I will admit I'm being very subversive there on purpose. : ) Also I want to say I agree with most of your criticisms, pretty much whole-heartedly, including C.C's ability to read people and the whole reveal that Lelouch is royalty. I will admit for the latter I got some things mixed up, I had thought it had been set up in one of the earlier chapters, but the setup was in two drafts that I mistakenly assumed had been published, this was my mistake. I want to thank you for all your kind words, and criticisms that you have provided me. Know this, if I do nuke the story, I will absolutely rewrite it, I do want to finish this Kallen's story because honestly, I really enjoy writing her. Once more, thank you for all your kind words.
She did not have a chance. Any other foe and Kallen would have found a way; a clever move, a quick maneuver, a strong attack. So many options could have saved her. But what could she do when the opponent knew it was coming?
She had been forced to drop her weapon and Mao directed her across the alleyways of the Tokyo Settlement. They had walked for thirty minutes at a steady pace, her captor stopping her at random intervals for whatever reason.
"They're not random," Mao said with a wide grin. "I don't want you to get too close to the public, I want to be close and personal with you, Miss Stadfeld," he said with a laugh. "Or do you prefer Kozuki? Or Viceroy?"
I'd prefer to put a bullet between your eyes, she thought angrily.
"Oh yes, I'm sure, it would make your current situation a lot easier."
She constantly looked for opportunities to escape - but even looking made her realize the futility of it all. She had seen a chance, a short alleyway leading to a crowded street.
"I wouldn't do that," Mao said with a smirk. Just the whiff of an idea was detected by Mao's powers, and if she committed, he would undeniably know. So instead she bid her time and remained patient.
The rain did not stop, as it continued to pour more and more intensity.
"What do you want from me? Revenge for C.C?" Kallen asked.
She had seen what Clovis's men had done to C.C, anger was an understandable reaction.
"What they did was monstrous - but I know you are clean of that sin," Mao looked at her, "But not clean of all sins, of course" he chuckled.
Does he intend to kill me?
"Oh no, nothing like that," Mao shook his head. "I want my C.C, and then we can part ways."
"I can't allow that." Kallen said. "Not until we gather the necessary information from her."
Mao shook his head once more with a teasing smile.
"Oh Viceroy, you are in no place to make such demands."
After many turns they had ended up near the industrial area of the city, far from the crowds, far from help. Mao opened a warehouse door cautiously, peaking inside, looking at the ceilings as if checking for cameras.
"This is good," he said with a small whistle, directing Kallen to a nearby pole. He threw iron cuffs near her, "now be a friend and chain yourself, dear Viceroy."
She thought about it. This was too dangerous, she had to act. The will to attack was there, she was ready, scanning for anything nearby that she could use, may it be to bludgeon, to stab, she would do it; bite and choke, she would do anything. But one glance at her captor discouraged her: he looked at her knowingly, his eyes daring her and his hands placed upon his gun.
So, after Kallen suffered the humiliation of locking herself with the pipe, the dialog began.
"C.C. then? Is that what you want?"
Mao sat on a box far from her.
"You're really willing to give her up?" Mao asked as he looked at her. "No, of course you don't. You'll give her to me, but you intend to track me down once you can," Mao pointed towards his head. "I know, Viceroy. Everything you think, I know. So please do not put up such pitiful resistance. Give her to me and leave us be."
She said nothing, but thought.
"Fine."
Mao looked at her - obviously gleaning her thoughts.
"Good, you are a survivor, Viceroy. You are right, you are more important than a single woman, even if she is immortal. And you'll still defeat Zero with your awesome prowess, even if he has a power like mine,"
"Is it just like yours?" Kallen asked, "His…Geass."
Mao looked at her, amused.
"He doesn't have Geass, it's impossible. C.C wouldn't make another contract, not when she has me. This Zero, C.C is lying about him, she wouldn't work with someone like him, no, she would never."
Kallen blinked in surprise.
Did C.C lie?
"Maybe," Mao said with a grin, "Oh she's so coy, isn't she? Just amazing, and beautiful as well. Ah, I cannot wait for our reunion."
Kallen frowned.
"Oh don't think like that, I'm not crazy, and C.C does truly love me. When you return her to me, you will see," Mao said, looking at her. "Now, where is your phone?" He asked with a smirk.
At the mere question, she thought about its location - she cursed herself. Mao approached her, moving his hand through her coat before finding the device.
"I must say you are quite beautiful, Viceroy. You must be thankful that I am a gentleman," he said as he examined her phone, "But if you try something there will be consequences," he said in the exact same playful tone.
"Now, who will help us in this little endeavor?" he asked happily as he looked through her phone.
Kallen felt a hopeless sensation. She thought hard, and hard, but she saw no avenue of escape, no avenue for trickery; her only chance of survival was giving up C.C.
Mao looked at her with a smile.
"You understand now, don't you? There is no beating me, no matter how fast, how smart, how quick," he tapped his head once more, "I will see it coming. And even this Arthur of yours will not be able to do anything."
Kallen could not deny his claim. She lowered her head in defeat, and gritted her teeth, and Zero has powers like this potentially? How could I ever hope to beat him?
Mao called Arthur, putting the phone on speaker.
"My lady?" Arthur asked, picking up his phone, diligent as always.
"Is anyone else listening to this conversation? Is it being recorded?" Kallen asked.
"Always,"
"Disable it, and let us speak alone."
After a long silence, Arthur returned.
"I did as you said."
Her guard had a number of code phrases indicating danger, warning, a plea for help, she glanced at Mao; his smile was wide as ever. His power rendered that idea hopeless.
"Track this location. Come here, with C.C. Come alone, with no weapons. With nobody following you. My life is at stake." she said earnestly and directly.
"My lady! Are you okay?" Arthur asked.
"I am fine," Kallen assured him, "It seems C.C's ghost has found me first."
"Mao?"
"Yes," Kallen answered.
Arthur stayed silent once again. She knew her old guard was thinking of a solution; a way out of the mess. He likely recognized the surrender in her voice, the hopelessness of it. And he knew why: Mao's powers were something far too unnatural to deal with. Especially when he had Kallen at his mercy.
There were options, to be sure, explosions, sniper fire; but in the end Mao would know, for Arthur would have to show up with C.C, or risk Kallen's life.
"I understand. I will be there as fast as I can." His voice sounded grave, but it hinted at no other emotion.
Mao ended the call and whistled.
"From your thoughts this Arthur seems quite capable," he said with a frown before grinning, "Thankfully I have you for insurance," he said laughing, "a man serving you for so long? Oh dear, I bet you he thinks of you as a daughter, he won't risk your safety," Mao spoke Kallen's thought and clapped to express his amusement.
There was no hope.
"Can you tell me something?" Kallen asked; if she was to lose C.C she had to try something.
"I won't work for you; no money will convince me. Today will be our first meeting and our last, I will run away with my C.C, and we will never see each other again. And Geass? I know as much as you, they are powers, but where they come from?" Mao shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine,"
"You must have obtained these powers in some way, surely?"
"C.C's gift," Mao said, his eyes twitched. "Ah, how much misery I've suffered because of this - "
Misery?
"But it is what C.C wanted, and soon we'll be together, oh forever, and ever." Mao hugged himself excitedly, before clapping once more.
Kallen remained quiet after that - the Knight of Twelve tried to stay as still as possible; her breathing steady and her head clear.
"Trying to hide yourself?" Mao asked with his usual grin.
"Aye, I am," she admitted with a frown. She hated this man, and the idea of his powers. The mind was sacred, private, and he violated that sacredness.
"Oh, don't you worry, I don't care about you. Just my C.C," Mao said laughing, "Plus, your mind makes me hurt. I've seen a lot of things, heard a lot of things, but never have I seen a mess like you."
Kallen looked away, trying to ignore him as she closed her eyes.
"Stadfeld in the country-building business, the Knight of Twelve in the brother-killing business…and the schoolgirl in the love-seeking business." He said with a laugh.
Kallen could do nothing except keep her eyes shut and hope he stopped talking.
"You really think some high school boy can save you? That love will prosper, and you will find happiness?" he laughed louder and louder. "Oh my, you don't know, do you? No, no, wait, you do know. The truth of it all, that you're a monster. That no matter how much you try to bond with your comrades, no matter how much you try to find love, you will never wash the blood from your hands,"
His laughing grew louder and louder - and Kallen thought of Nunnally's dove, the way it could be broken and rebuilt.
Mao simply laughed.
"You may be called dove, Kallen," he approached her, crouching in front of her, his eyes wide, "But you're just like me. We're broken things, crippled, you and I," Kallen stared back in shock at his words, "And all we can do to survive? It's to become monsters." Mao whispered. "You survive for your country, for your father, I survive to be reunited with my C.C - "
"Be quiet!" Kallen shouted.
"And no matter how much you act that it's okay -" his words were like a hammer, and Kallen was the nail.
"Quiet!" She screeched, her head was beating.
"You will never - "
"Leave me alone!" She exclaimed.
Mao stopped -
He stood up as he looked around, his eyes were darting around the windows and then to the only door. A frown deepened as he pointed his gun at it.
"Come in, the two of you."
Through the door first came Arthur. Her old guardsman walked in slowly, surveying the room with his quiet eyes. And behind him came C.C. She was still in her straitjacket, but it had been unzipped completely. Her golden eyes seemed to almost glow in the dark of the warehouse as she looked at the two of them.
For a moment nobody spoke, the only sound was the sound of the raindrops clinking with the roof.
"C.C!" Mao finally screamed, happily. The green-haired girl looked at her alleged lover with little love, but there was a sad smile on her lips.
"Mao, it's been too long." She said softly, in a motherly tone.
"You have your witch, now let my lady go," Arthur spoke up, interrupting the two of them.
Mao pointed his gun at him at when he spoke, unmoving, as if trying to read ever single thought her old guard currently had in his head. It felt like an eternity, but Mao eventually lowered his weapon, seemingly satisfied.
"You tried to recruit C.C's help," Mao said while shaking his head, "but that is fine. A normal reaction," he said with a smile as he pulled out a key and threw it across the room. Arthur caught it, and he began to walk towards Kallen - and Mao walked towards C.C.
She closed her eyes, she was safe now. She had lost C.C, but she had her life -
BANG
BANG
From Mao's barrel came out smoke, he had shot C.C twice.
Arthur was already next to Kallen at that point, he hurriedly unlocked her from her cuffs. As she stood up, she caught a glimpse of Mao, who was sitting next to C.C's body. He looked at C.C with wild eyes, and a feral grin.
"I just can't risk you running away, my dear. Not again," Mao said. He shot C.C again and crimson sprayed the air. Mao then turned around, quickly reloading his cartridge.
Arthur rushed to stand in front of Kallen.
"What is the meaning of this?" Arthur asked, his voice was cool, but Kallen recognized his stance; he was ready to fight. But it was a losing one, Mao was fifteen feet away and he was the only one of them with a gun.
"Oh, I trust the two of you…for now. I know that you will not chase after me. But what about after? No, no, that little Viceroy of yours is a fiend, she will track me down until the end of the Earth, shame, she's such a pretty thing," Mao said as he pointed his gun towards them. "But far too stubborn."
But as thunder struck, the lights suddenly went out.
"What?!" Mao screamed angrily, darkness enveloped the room, Kallen felt Arthur grasp her hand and drag her. He had darted to the left, and the room came alive as Mao shot into the dark.
She had caught a glimpse of Mao's face briefly, his face mad, deranged, and panicked.
Mao shot once more - and this time the bullets came close, she heard Arthur grunt, but the old knight continued to drag her, they had gotten around Mao, and they headed to the door. The darkness slowly devolved, and she could see the light under the door, Arthur suddenly stopped, pushing Kallen ahead.
Mao fired another shot, and the bullet passed by her head, even closer than before.
The two of them exited the building - the sky was dark and cloudy, even the sun seemed to be hiding. Her vision blurred from the sudden light, her head was dazed, and when she looked back, Arthur was bleeding.
She had no time to react, another shot came.
Red. It was nothing but blood-red. Arthur clutched his chest, his face a mix of shock and pain, he stumbled forward, before collapsing on the ground. The bullet had gone right through his chest.
"Arthur!" she screamed.
Her survival instincts told her to run, to run, but they were drowned out by her scream.
Kallen ran to his side -
How long had this man helped her? How long had he followed her? Been so loyal, so caring? Worked so hard? He had been with her almost in every step of her life, the man who taught her how to drive a Knightmare, the man that always looked after her, the man -
The memories faded. The memories of comfort and lessons, all gone to oblivion. She saw only the present, her old, ever-loyal, captain of her guard was laid out in a puddle. His old eyes turned to Kallen slowly.
"Run," he muttered.
But her legs couldn't move.
"No, no, come on, get up," she reacted instinctively as she tried to drag him, to carry him, but his grunts of pain only made her realize the horror of it all. His uniform was once a pristine white, but now the blood slowly colored it a dark wine.
"Now I have you!"
She heard Mao's scream, he walked out of the warehouse, his whole body seemed to be shaking as he angrily looked at Kallen.
All Kallen did was sit in the ground, next to Arthur.
"My lady…" Arthur weakly said.
Run, he had said.
But she couldn't outrun this - even if her legs worked.
Mao looked at her with a smile, his body still shook, but his angry demeanor faded as he pointed the gun down at Kallen.
"Don't cry, dear. You'll be with him soon enough."
She was about to close her eyes - until a flash of green appeared behind Mao. C.C was up, and she was sprinting towards the white-haired man. She had a determined face to her, and even with her wounds she moved swiftly. Mao's eyes widened - he must have seen it through Kallen's mind.
Mao turned hastily and shot, and he shot - and he shot -
BANG.
BANG.
C.C tried to keep going.
But Mao shot once more.
Her body fell past Mao, landing next to Kallen and Arthur.
Kallen sprung to life, Mao turned once more, but it was too late. She wrestled with him, pointing his gun away, using her legs she kicked Mao - who lost his balance and -
BANG
As the two were falling, Mao's gun went off. Kallen felt her body heat up, a hot pain coursed through her stomach, her whole body weakened - enough for Mao to break free from her grasp as he stood up angrily.
"Why, why?" He questioned angrily, ignoring Kallen, who laid on the ground with a bullet in her stomach.
"You actually attacked me!" Mao screamed looking at C.C in disbelief.
Kallen tried to stand up - and Mao quickly looked at her.
He shot Kallen again, this time it hit her shoulder. Kallen fell back to the ground as the hot pain coursed through her body once again. She couldn't think, she could barely move. Her head weakly turned to Arthur and C.C who laid next to her.
Arthur's eyes had always been interesting, they had a soft yet hard look to them. But now they showed nothing.
Not even a hint of life.
Kallen's body panicked, her mind panicked, this is it - this is it - this is it - this is it - she saw Arthur's lifeless eyes, he looked so peaceful - maybe it wasn't so bad? After so much sweat, after so many tears, maybe it was best to rest?
She groaned weakly, her mind was clouded with fog as she weakly tried to stand. Mao didn't even pay attention to her, he was still screaming angrily about the fact C.C had attacked him. This was her chance -
She fell back on the ground. The pain was too much. She could feel her energy slipping away as the blood poured out of her body, and the raindrops poured on her head. Her mind slowed down. They always said that your life would flash before your eyes before you died - but Kallen thought little. Her mind slowed, and the world faded.
I'm sorry, everyone.
Movement caught the attention of her dying mind, it was not Arthur's - it was a pale white hand that reached out towards Kallen - it was C.C.
Mao suddenly stopped his ramblings, he glanced at C.C.
"What are you - " Mao began to ask.
Kallen reached out, and her hand met with C.C's.
"If you had the strength to continue, could you do it?"
Her failing mind suddenly came to life. No, not even life had ever felt so real. Every sense in her body was heightened, every single touch, every smell, every sound, all of it attacked Kallen's mind.
"You want to keep fighting, after all you've gone through?" C.C's voice asked. Kallen's mind continued to race, time froze, and all reality seemed to break. She felt herself falling, as if sinking deeper into the world, but as she sank deeper, the more real it all seemed.
I want to keep fighting, she thought weakly, to survive.
"Then I'll make a deal with you. Receive the power of kings - and make my wish come true."
Kallen was in a void, but she could see images, images of a great and distant sun. The void dissipated and light shined in the sky, surrounded by mountains and thousands of people she saw the history of it all, of a great and ancient civilization - until it no longer existed. She saw the world for what it was, a pitiful rock in a vast void of nothingness. But in that rock in the void of space they all existed, all of humanity's consciousness together, thriving, against all odds.
"Be warned, with the powers of king you will live an isolated life. You will sacrifice your humanity for this."
Then let me become a monster.
When she snapped back to reality, Mao looked at her - curious and confused - but an undeniable look of fear spread across his face.
The exchange did not last even a second - Mao tried to raise his gun, but Kallen was quicker.
Their eyes met.
"Break," she muttered.
Mao seized up, his body froze, and he dropped the gun. His eyes were wide as he stepped back, his body began to shake violently. And then there was nothing, his eyes stayed wide open, his mouth agape, and then his shoulders slumped.
Mao fell to the ground.
And the rain continued to pour.
All she could do was move her head, but when she saw the body of her old captain of the guard, some part of her was revitalized.
Arthur.
She couldn't think, yet she crawled her way next to him, and laid next to her old guard. She could feel her eyes closing. Kallen tried to stand up, but her mind became foggy, and her mind slowed. She could feel her body weaken, she tried to move again, she tried to cover her wounds, but soon, even her mind stopped.
All she heard was the rain.
She didn't remember what happened, at one moment she saw C.C standing over her with those golden eyes looking down at Kallen. And then she saw a familiar looking boy with raven hair and violet eyes. But why was there a flash of green behind him? Kallen's eyes were open, but everything was a blur, she saw Lelouch's lips move, but she heard nothing.
Nothing but the rain.
Suddenly, light.
Her blurry eyes cleared, and she weakly turned her head. She was in a blue hospital gown in a long bed, the room was a blinding white. Her body felt so weak that she thought she was still asleep.
Kallen groaned in pain as she tried to move - until a piercing pain from her stomach and shoulder stopped her.
"Kallen!" she heard a familiar voice.
It was Jaime. Her second in command, her jovial giant. His face was pale, his blue eyes were tinted with a strained red, and he generally looked ten years older. Kallen's eyes widened, her mind began to clear, she tried to get up again - but the pain was too much.
"Arthur," she said weakly, "where is Arthur?"
Jaime looked at her with a pained expression.
Kallen laid back in her bed, her eyes wide. She had wanted it to be a nightmare so badly, for it all to be a bad joke, a bad dream. She still wanted to wake up; and when she did not, she wanted to scream.
But then, Kallen felt nothing.
"What happened?" she asked.
"A student found you, he reported finding you in the alleyways, near the industrial area,"
"A student?" Kallen said curiously. "Who was this student?"
"He's currently in the hospital, I have him in a room for questioning," Jaime answered.
Lelouch? Was it really him? How had he found her?
But a more dangerous face flashed on Kallen's mind - Mao.
"There was a man, it was Mao, he - " she tried to talk.
"We also have him. He's currently unresponsive." Jaime said with a hardy voice.
Unresponsive? Kallen placed a hand over her left eye.
Did I…do that?
"And C.C? Where is she?" Kallen asked.
Jaime shook his head.
"Gone, we found no trace of her."
Kallen sat quietly in her bed, her body felt so weak and useless. And her mind weighed far too heavy. She could not come to terms with what had happened. Arthur was dead. C.C had escaped. And Kallen had used Geass. She could feel it within her - the power of kings. She breathed, and breathed, and breathed. But it did not help, her breathing became erratic as she shook her head.
This is too much, her head began to beat like a drum.
"My lady, are you okay?" Jaime asked, obviously worried, his eyes showed nothing but worry.
"I am fine," her voice betrayed her mind, her tone was clear and strong.
"Do you want some time alone?" Jaime asked her quietly.
"No, I have business to attend to. Help me get up,"
Jaime didn't comply immediately, instead he had a doctor come in to check on her, and Kallen felt too weak to protest.
"If urgent, you could move her on a wheelchair, but please, bring her back. Her condition is still delicate, she needs constant surveillance and rest."
"I will return her, doctor," Jaime said respectfully.
The doctor nodded his head and turned to Kallen; he gave a small bow and left the room.
She felt no humiliation using a wheelchair. And she didn't care what people thought. Jaime took her downstairs, she could see the hospital was quite guarded, as she saw a number of Britannian soldiers patrolling hallways and doors.
"Are you okay, Jaime?" Kallen asked, she could not see her jovial giant's face.
"I am, my lady," he said with a small voice, but she knew he was doing his best to hide his pain. Arthur and Jaime had worked together for years. Kallen breathed deeply, I am not the only one suffering, she told herself. She didn't know why she wasn't crying, why she wasn't breaking down - why her mind suddenly felt so calm and cool. But, she didn't mind.
Jaime escorted Kallen through the hospital, leading her to the top floor where two heavily armed men with assault rifles guarded the room.
"Is he here?" Kallen asked. Jaime nodded.
Inside was Mao. The Geass user sat in the bed with his eyes wide open, unblinking. His heart beat normally, his breathing normal. The windows were sealed shut, and he was chained onto the bed.
"He's been like this since he was found," Jaime explained. "The doctors don't know how to explain it. One of them hypothesized that he is suffering from a powerful mental shock, they believe he could recover in days, or perhaps weeks."
Mao's eyes had not blinked. They were as wide as eyes could be, a state of permanent shock. "He will never recover," Kallen said, knowingly.
"My lady?" Jaime asked, confused. She felt the powers of her Geass flash on her right eye. She knew it, in her soul she knew was responsible for causing Mao's current state.
"He will remain like this, for the rest of his life." she said confidently before turning her head. "I want to see Arthur,"
"No, no you do not, my lady." Jaime replied, surprisingly stubborn.
"Do not try to protect me, Jaime."
"Please, my lady. You must rest. Do not bring such pain upon yourself…there is another time for such matters. And now is not the time." his voice was soft and kind, almost delicate. He looked at her worriedly. Many times she would argue...but today was not the day for such a bout.
"Fine then, take me to the student who find me then," she relented.
On the way there she thought of Arthur. Her mind still could not comprehend it all, of what had happened; part of her mind told her to cry, another part of her mind asked: what's the point in crying? She had loved her old guard so dearly, he had been with her for so long, and another part of her mind said: he was your guard, protecting you was his job.
They eventually reached the ground floor. Two unarmed guards stood in front of the security room, the two of the soldiers saluted Kallen and Jaime. She turned to Jaime, her jovial giant had a tired and exhausted to look to him.
"Leave me alone with the student," she ordered. You need your rest.
Jaime looked at her, surprised. He was understandably reluctant, but soon he nodded.
She found him inside, as she had expected. The black-haired self-exiled prince sat on a chair with a worried look on his face. His purple eyes were deep in concentration. Concentration that was broken as Kallen entered.
"Kallen? You're alive," he said. She had expected to hear relief in his voice, but instead she had found surprise.
"I'm harder to kill than that," Kallen said. "I was told you find me. How?" She asked directly. She had no time nor want of pleasantries.
Lelouch's face stiffened - he was thinking.
"When you left me, after confronting me about my…status, I was still in shock. I wanted to thank you for keeping my status a secret. So I chased you, looked for you until I saw what I saw, a man was pointing a gun at you,"
Kallen blinked to try and hide her surprise. She tried to think: had Lelouch really been following me? But her mind was still foggy.
"You followed me?"
"Only briefly. I must admit when I saw the weapon, I turned yellow," Lelouch admitted sheepishly. "And when I strengthened my resolve I had lost sight of you, I looked - "
"You kept following me? You didn't say… call the police?"
The secret prince shook his head.
"No. I would not risk my secret under police scrutiny,"
Not even at the expense of your own life, was the undertone. Butstill…he had followed her, many civilians would have simply turned tail and ran at the sight of a gun.
"Wait then, when you found me, who did you call?"
Lelouch smiled sadly.
"I panicked, I must admit. I called for an ambulance, but police officers arrived at the same time, they had heard the gunshots you see."
"Did they question you?" Kallen asked, furrowing her brows. "Were you treated well?" Kallen asked.
"I was treated respectfully. They asked me simple questions, but with you awake I believe my status is safe," Lelouch said.
Jaime kept him here, just in case. If I hadn't woken up, he would've been interrogated sharply, and they might have found the truth behind the Lamperouge mask. Kallen breathed a sigh of relief, she was glad she woke up relatively quick from her battle with Mao.
"Thank you, Lelouch, I would have died if not for you," she said, there was nothing but appreciation in her voice.
"You should thank your doctors, not me," Lelouch said, in a shockingly modest tone.
"Aye, I will. But I must also thank you, Lelouch. You risked your life and secret. I'm in your debt."
Lelouch showed an expression of undeniable surprise. His violet eyes cooled off as he scoffed at her comments. "You're not in debt. We're even. You kept my secret a secret, and I made a phone call to save your life." his violet eyes looked away.
"I didn't do you any favors," Kallen said flatly, "I simply followed your orders to keep your identity a secret," her body felt a comforting warmth when she said that, she knew she could never betray that order.
Her head began to beat, and a daze set over her, she flinched as the pain from her wounds seemed to burn, and her body slumped in the chair. Lelouch noticed her pain right away, he was soon sitting right next to her, with a hand over her good shoulder.
"Hey, hey, shouldn't you be resting?" he asked, his voice was soft and amiable. Kallen grabbed onto his hand as she pulled herself back on the chair, his hand was warm, she grabbed onto it tightly, it was a pleasant feeling.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
She couldn't see his eyes, Lelouch stayed quiet.
"I was only doing what was right." Lelouch said, his voice was neutral, almost deadpan.
She didn't let go, instead she rested her cheek on her shoulder, where Lelouch's hand was. And once again she thought nothing, all she did was embrace the warmth. She raised her head slowly and pulled Lelouch towards her.
"Kallen?"
His faces was inches away and she didn't hesitate. She pressed her lips against his. All her worries and despairs seemed to wash away instantly. Her lips were so cold and his were so warm. It was a taste so delightful, like sugar or honey. They felt so soft and sweet that she almost didn't stop herself. When she backed away she saw Lelouch's eyes, his purple eyes always so sharp, now looked glazed and soft. They were still a deep purple, so mesmoraizing that she leaned forward again. The pair exchanged a second kiss and Kallen felt a warm, but this time pleasurable sensation course through her body. She was eager this time, she opened her mo-
She pulled away.
What are you doing, Kallen?
"I'm, so sorry," Kallen breathed out, her eyes were closed as her face colored pink. She was too ashamed to look at Lelouch. "What I just did..."
"It didn't happen," Lelouch echoed Kallen's words, from the last time she had done something so reckless and foolish.
"I'll let my men know it's okay for you to leave," Kallen said, her eyes were still closed. "So please, leave."
She never heard him walk out.
Jaime took Kallen back to her room after that. And even with her body and mind spent and exhausted, Kallen Stadfeld could not sleep. Her mind was plagued by the lips of a certain prince, the power of Geass, and the death of her beloved captain of the guard. It was a storm of emotion; but it was fitting considering her life. What she wanted, what she did, what she experienced, they all always seemed to conflcit with one another.
Why had she not cried for someone like Arthur? A man so close to her, he was almost like a father or an uncle, so why had she not cried? And why had she been so eager to kiss the exiled prince, someone she barely knew?
A broken thing, she heard Mao's voice whisper in her ear, followed by his deranged laugh.
A crippled, broken thing.
She had expect nightmares, nightmares of her dead, beloved Arthur, nightmares of the white-haired Geass user, nightmares of her life coming to an end. But instead she dreamed of her prince and his warm lips, of his deep purple eyes, and she dreamed of bliss.
And when Kallen Stadfeld woke up she had never felt stronger. Never more determined.
"Jaime," she called.
"My lady?"
"Arthur had a taskforce to find C.C,"
"He did, aye, about fifty men looking over surveilance footage all over the Tokyo Settlement."
"I want you hire those men again, and I want you to triple their numbers, extend the search to nearby cities." she said.
"Is this wise, my lady? There may be other means..."
"Do it." she commanded.
She would find C.C again, and she would find Zero. Her hands clenched fiercly. Her Geass flahsed in her eye.
I will find the secret behind Geass. I will find the secret behind C.C and Zero. I will bring peace and prosperity unto Area 11. I will find Naoto again, and I will drag him back to my father kicking and screaming. I will find my mother, may she be dead or alive. And I will smash and toss aside anybody who stands in my way.
The world would learn to fear Kallen Stadfeld, for Kallen Stadfeld no longer feared the world.
I plan to have a biweekly schedule planned out for my two stories now. I'm very excited to write Three Kingdoms (my new CG fic) and this story, so I would like to do one chapter per week on one story, and then next week the other. Of course if I get delayed the whole schedule gets delayed, so sorry if updates become slower.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, I think it was a very different chapter than usual from me, very condensed with A LOT, going on. Not my best, but I think it's pretty enjoyable. Can you believe this marks the one quarter mark of the story?
I mentioned in the beginning of the chapter that I was considering nuking the story and starting from scratch, and I can't deny that. It would probably be under a different name, but I'll let you guys know if that happens.
Hope you all enjoyed,
Have a happy St. Valentines!