Author's Note: Just a note, this isn't meant to be a LelouchxKallen fic, though it's highly possible. As of now there are no pairings.
Please keep an open mind. Regardless of that, Kallen is the main character in this fic so there will be plenty of Kallen-Lelouch interaction.
Thanks for all the reviews, and please feel free to point out any inconsistencies or Out-Of-Character moments you find in this fic.
The next chapter will be longer due to requests, but please be patient. Also, thanks to vividintwilight for pre-reading!
Also, awesome little CG comic strip: i215./albums/cc320/Viper764/Comfortme.gif Just put an h t t p : / / with no spaces in front.

Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass or any of its characters.

Chapter 2: Confrontation:

"Then he's paid for his crimes." Ogi sighed, as if a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders. "It had to be done, Kallen."

She nodded.

"Xing Ke wants you to know that a group of shuttles were detected leaving the Avalon before it exploded. It's been confirmed that the Emperor's staff and UFN hostages were aboard. With Lelouch gone, we can probably negotiate their return."

"That's good news." Kallen noted, relieved. It had been quite the gamble.

"He also wants you to know that your actions were reckless and foolish." Ogi reprimanded, "He'll want to talk to you himself once you get back."

"Understood, but I need to be alone for a while." Kallen told him quietly. "You'll have to finish the battle without me. Can you tell Rakshata that I'm taking the Guren for a bit?"

"I understand." Ogi sounded sympathetic. "The battle is over anyway. Kururugi has vanished, and the Britannian army is in full retreat. Get some rest."

The channel closed, and Kallen gave a sigh of relief. 'Why do you always make things so complicated, Lelouch?'


Kallen chose an abandoned Black Knights complex on the outskirts of Kyoto to use as a temporary shelter. Conveniently, a section of the building contained a makeshift prison. She gently laid her captive on one of the cell beds, then walked out, locking the door behind her. She wasn't worried about Lelouch escaping. With no tools to use he would be helpless, as his physical strength left much to be desired. She couldn't count all the times Shirley had badgered Lelouch for skipping out on Physical Education class.

Flopping down on a couch in what once served as a common room, she realized how tired she was: both the physical and mental fatigue from the battle catching up to her.

'Just for a bit," Kallen promised herself. 'Just to rest my eyes."

But she didn't wake up until dawn, and her last thought was of brilliant violet eyes.


The first thing that greeted Kallen that morning was pain. Groggily, she opened her eyes and realized that she had somehow rolled onto the hard floor in her sleep. Wisps of the morning sun drifted almost lazily through the windows, which took up one side of the room. She stumbled to her feet with a curse, as she went to wash up and change her clothes. Throwing on a standard Black Knights uniform that had been left at the base, she went to check on her prisoner.

He was awake, sitting against the wall. His elaborate white outfit was relatively clean, but his hat had been lost in the abduction. Nevertheless, he seemed to radiate command and majesty, looking every inch the Emperor, even trapped and helpless as he was. Unlocking the door, Kallen sat down on the opposite side of the cell. For a while, neither side spoke, a test to see who's curiosity would overcome their stubbornness.

"When am I due to be executed?" Lelouch spoke first, a resigned look on his face. "For that matter, where is Schneizel? It would be bad sportsmanship to die without congratulating him."

"You've already dead, Lelouch. I killed you." Kallen answered, enjoyed the look of surprise and confusion that grew on his face. Sadly, the look was quickly replaced by comprehension: it was Lelouch, after all.

"So they think I'm dead. That explains the lack of guards." Lelouch mused. "Where are we?"

"You can't figure it out?" Kallen taunted, and regretted it immediately. The force of the glare he gave her in reply was so intensely reminiscent of Zero that she felt instinctively contrite and ashamed. It was a glare so stinging that she would've been able to feel its effects through a totally opaque mask, if you'd believe it.

"I can't tell you at the moment." She conceded sulkily, not sure which one of his masks she was talking to. "We're still in Japan, though."

"What happened to my forces?" Lelouch demanded. "Where are C.C. and Suzaku?"

"Your forces retreated." Kallen saw no harm in telling him. "Same with Suzaku. I didn't see C.C."

Kallen didn't like to admit it, but she cared deeply about the other girl. During that horrible year that Lelouch had been living out his fake memories, C.C. had been her constant companion, someone to talk and laugh with, even if it was at her expense. Those days, laughter was hard to come by. Sure, she was just a little envious that Lelouch seemed to trust C.C. with all his secrets and not her, but she liked the other girl.

He didn't reply, simply starring at the wall, a considering look on his face. When he turned to face her, his expression was devoid of emotion.

"Well done, Captain KĊzuki. You've almost singlehandedly won one of the greatest battles, no, wars in history. You are indeed an exceptional Knight." Lelouch praised, as if she were a stranger. "Now, finish the job. Kill me."

Kallen's eyes widened for a second before narrowing in rage. Grabbing him by the collar, she shoved him against the wall. Hard.

"What game are you playing?" Kallen spat. "Don't mess with me!"

"What possible reason could you have for keeping me alive?" Lelouch smirked at her. "You were my pawn, you and the rest of the Japanese. The successor of your brother's dream? Don't presume so much. I only ever worked towards my dream. Of course, I used you to do it.

"You asked me how I felt about you. I care about you, Kallen." Lelouch chuckled disarmingly. "As much as it's possible to care about one of my pieces. You were the best one, after all."

Kallen didn't remember moving her arm, but he was suddenly sprawled on the floor, clutching his face. Her fist was still extended, and she could feel tears at the corners of her eyes. Trembling with rage, she took a few deep breaths to calm herself down. But he wasn't finished.

"Shirley." Lelouch looked up at her, still smirking. "I killed her."

"Why?" She screamed at him. "What possible reason could you have for killing her?"

"She discovered my identity, of course." He confided easily. So she hit him again.

Spitting out blood, he looked her in the eyes. "Before the second battle of Tokyo, I was told of the Fleija, and ignored it. And Euphemia... I geassed her to slaughter all those Japanese. I've killed more of your countrymen than Britannia could ever dream of!" She hauled him up by the collar. He smiled again, mockingly. "So punish me. That is, if you're truly an ally of Justice."

For a split second, as rage overcame thought, Kallen actually considered it. Then her mind cleared, and she remembered this was Lelouch, and she looked at him, staring at her with satisfaction, amusement, and scorn. Another one of his masks. Once, she had picked up the mask he had worn as Zero, only to have C.C. tell her that the mask was heavy. Heavy with the burden of the entire world. She realized Lelouch was carrying it now: that burden. Even its sins. Even if he had to pay for them.

"You're lying, Lelouch." And with those words he looked like he's seen a ghost, the color leaving his face. "You won't get what you want so easily." She let him drop, and went back to her previous position on the other side of the cell.

"No," Lelouch said quietly, no longer smiling. "It seems I won't."

They sit in silence.

"What now?" Kallen put forth.

Lelouch raised an eyebrow, but answered. "It... doesn't matter any more. It's enough."

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"You'll see soon." He promised in reply.

Again, silence.

Kallen could see his face beginning to swell from where she punched him. It would bruise.

"I'll be back with some ice." She left, locking the door.

As Kallen passed by the common room, she leaned against the wall for a moment to collect herself.

That's when the world turned white.