Things are getting dark and evil as of this chapter and my main worry is that it might not be consistent with the tone this fic has up until now. So, I need you all to watch out for that. And I recently planned out the remaining chapters, about 5 more left after this, so this is my warning to you all. My Roomie Lulu will end very soon.

Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass, Code Geass no es mia!

Chapter 15: Straining

He sighed and dropped a single rose, its colour pink, onto a grave with a most extravagant headstone in a secluded spot in the cemetery. He was dressed in black through and through, his trench coat ballooning around him as the midnight wind played with it. He stared down at the grave, his mouth a hard line of pain, his eyes emotionless emerald gems.

He had spent the past few months stifling her existence, trying to forget just what she had meant to him. He had been trying to forget how she used to reserve that extra special smile just for him and how she would gently stroke his hair, her hand resting on his cheek before her lips fell against his in a kiss that he had spent many nights after dreaming about. As a matter of fact, it had become more of a nightmare than a dream now. That's why he preferred not to sleep many nights, too many memories of her caused from spending every waking moment by her side, totally captivated by the slightest flick of her fingers. He was so tightly wound around her and she in turn was inexplicably in love with him, or so he thought.

He could feel the pain drawing him in tighter, its grasp on him firmer than ever. His hands began to shake and he clenched them tightly trying to stop them. He couldn't help despising her through his love for her for doing this to him. She would have been beside him if she had only listened to him that one time. But, she had always wanted to make the world a better place. She preferred to fight for freedom, justice and equality than she preferred being by his side. Stupid him. He had fallen so hard for her and she hadn't reciprocated his feelings. At least, not as much as he wanted her to.

He had sometimes thought he was just being too jealous, other times he had thought that he was just a useless man. But now, now that she was dead and couldn't lie to him anymore, he didn't know what to think except that he had been a vulnerable man. He had promised himself never to make it happen again. Never again would he be interested in a girl further than her body. He would not admire how smart she was; neither would he treasure her honesty and elegance. He had decided being shallow would steer him clear of all heartbreak. If he fell in love again, and that person broke his heart, he would become even more of a monster than he was already.

Never again would he show that side of him to anyone. Not even his friends. He didn't even have friends anymore, just people who followed his every command. His last friend had disappointed him. That disappointment had quickly been converted into hate. Deep, rooted hate that became more anchored each and every day.

An owl hooted in the distance and the man's head flicked up, drawn out of his thoughts by the eerie sound. The breeze flashed across his cheek, its icy fingers almost slicing his skin. He looked down on his watch. It was almost 12:30. He would be late if he didn't leave now. He had people waiting for him. He flicked his coat behind him as he walked away from the graveside without another look. Even though a final glance at the grave was not cast, the person who the grave belonged to was etched forever on his brain, impossible to erase.

XXX XXX

"Hi! This is Millay!" Millay's voice came cheerfully over the phone. Kallen breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn't expected to get through to her former best friend.

"Millay! It's Kallen! I…" Kallen was interrupted by laughter.

"Gotcha! I'm unavailable at the moment so please leave a message and I'll get back to you!" The line beeped and Kallen hung up the phone, plopping herself down in the chair in the dining room. She stared into the kitchen for a good 5 minutes, waiting. Never before in all her life had Millay missed a call from Kallen and not ring her back in 5 minutes. Millay really wanted nothing to do with her. She had been serious that last time they had seen each other. They really weren't friends anymore.

She slipped her phone into her pocket, the thought sinking in. It was impossible for her to accept that…she and Millay had been BFFs ever since she could remember. It wasn't true…how could Millay not call her back? What had she done to drive her friend so far away from her? Tears sprung to her eyes. Yes, she had known ever since she had walked out of their apartment that they would never have the same relationship they had before. But she had never thought their friendship would become inexistent. Millay hated her. What had she done? Why had she left to stay with Lelouch?

"Damn whore," Lelouch swore as he walked into the dining room. Kallen's heart froze for a second when she saw him. He was wearing old, stained clothes, ready to go to work for the day. He wasn't even looking at her, he was looking down at his phone, pressing a lot of buttons and mumbling to himself. And while he did all this and walked pass her, she couldn't help but think about how sexy he looked. She blushed as the thought became impossible to ignore and she thought that a quick escape, before he noticed she was sitting there, would be best.

She silently pushed herself up from the chair, hoping that he wouldn't turn around and see her. Ever since that night almost two weeks ago after her date with Mr. Kururugi, she hadn't been able to look at Lelouch with a look of indifference. Every time their eyes met, she would see the confidence he had about her begging him to kiss her. The worst part was, she was on the verge of doing just that. His teasing had pushed her over the edge that night and ever since she had been dying for him to kiss her even once. She found herself reminiscing about the last time they had locked lips. It had been filled with such passion that she could feel a slight heat on her lips when she returned to reality. Other nights she would dream that instead of teasing her and making her weakness apparent to her, he had given in to his weakness instead.

"Oh, Bunny. Good morning," he said, looking up from his phone and by pure chance seeing her in the midst of her escape. Kallen grimaced internally.

"Hey, Lu…Lelouch. Good morning to you too," she said, trying to avoid his amethyst eyes. She stood stiffly, waiting for the opportunity to flee.

"So, no good morning or goodbye hug?" He asked.

"Lelouch…" she started.

"After all, you don't know when I'll be coming back today, Kallen. The least you can do is give a friend a little hug before he leaves for work," he said, his innocence so deceitful. Kallen lifted her head, making an attempt to deny him but instead making the mistake of meeting his eyes. They glittered with desire and Kallen feared for her mental state immediately. Was she just imagining things? Or did Lelouch seem to want her more than she wanted him? But if it was that, how was he able to control himself. By just meeting his eyes just now, she found herself crippled to him, wanting him to touch her in a way that wasn't anywhere near friendly. She didn't want him to touch her someplace forbidden, mind you, she just wanted him to touch her in a way that said she meant more than a simple friend to him.

"Umm…sure," she said, trying to suppress the need for his touch, but failing. He smirked and a million thoughts ran through her head with his one action. What was he up to? Was there an ulterior motive for wanting to hug her?

Lelouch glided over to her and with a sly look on his face, he enveloped her in a hug.

Kallen cursed herself as she felt his body press itself firmly against hers, as he seemed to wrap his taller self around her. She gasped slightly and her heart pounded against his chest. Her face was pressed delicately into his chest and she couldn't help but close her eyes and breathe him in. He somehow had taken a simple hug and turned it into something that implied much more than friendship.

Kallen thought she was going to die when he chastely pecked her on the cheek. She shivered from this unexpected contact and she could feel his breath pass softly by her ear as he whispered something to her.

"Beg," he said and she blushed. She pushed him away and turned to face another direction. She didn't want to see his face now, he was probably smirking from satisfaction.

"I'll see you later…Bunny," he said. She nodded her head, still refusing to look at him. He took the moment to silently overlook her body. If only she knew what she was doing to him and the danger that she was in…she'd run away and never come back. He didn't know how long he could hold out until he conquered her lips again, but he was hoping she would crumble first and then let him take advantage after. He turned around and left the house, the only sound indicating his departure being the click of the door as he closed it behind him.

Kallen sighed heavily and sunk to the floor, drawing her knees up to her chin, wrapping her arms around them and hiding her face. She wasn't sure how much longer she could live like this. She wanted him so badly, yet she had been the one to draw the line that he was refusing to cross. Oh, he was good! But, she was depending on him to break first, then she would gladly comply with his advances.

The house phone rang and she glanced up at it, feeling rather lazy to answer it. The ringing continued for a few more minutes and then died down. Kallen sighed once again and went back to thinking about what to do about her Lelouch problem.

The shrill ringing of the telephone brought her out of her planning session and struck a nerve of irritation in her. She sprung to her feet, grabbed the phone from its cradle and couldn't help the anger in her voice as she greeted the person.

"What?" Kallen growled. The line was quiet for a few seconds. The silence was broken by a stream of curse words littering Kallen's ear and brain.

"You whore! You damn slut! How dare you answer my husband's phone? How dare you live with him? How dare you steal him from me? I'm his wife! He loves me! He doesn't love you! The only reason he's putting up with you is because you're pregnant with his child! If the media gets a hold of this they'll slaughter his family, including his little sister! That's the only reason he's doing this! To keep you quiet! You home-wrecker! I will kill you! You'll pay for what you did! I hate you, you friggin harlot!" C.C. screamed at her. Kallen was shocked. It was the first time she had been called a home-wrecker.

"Do you think I asked for this? Do you think I want him! I don't want Lelouch! I don't need him!" Kallen screamed back at her as tears came to her eyes.

"Does it really matter now? What's done is done! But you better watch your back, bitch! Because I'm coming for you! And when I find your slutty ass I am going to slice off those huge things of yours that you call breasts that you used to enslave my husband!" C.C. yelled, seemingly possessed.

"Will you just shut up?" Kallen yelled, having had had enough of the jealous wife, but wanting to put her in her place. She could hear C.C.'s visual sneer over the line.

"What? Can't handle the truth? He only had sex with you because I wasn't there! He loves me!"

"When was the last time he told you that?"

"What?"

"You heard me! When was the last time Lelouch Lamperouge told you that he loved you?" Kallen screamed. C.C. fell silent, realization dawning upon her. Kallen snorted with contempt.

"Exactly. You're so useless and stupid. Why would you want to find a man who is done with you? He threw you away like trash yet you're trying to fight your filthy way back into his life. Well, good luck bitch! Because I run this house! Because I'm the one who's going to have his baby! I'm the one he loves!" Kallen screamed and hung up the phone on that note.

As she stared at the phone, breathing heavily and swallowing her tears, she raised a hand to her cheek. What had she just done? She had intended to make C.C. jealous, but she had never intended to say those things. She felt like all she had worked for her whole life had been lost right there. She had willingly downgraded herself. She was also trash now. She had stooped to a level she never thought she would. The doorbell rang and fear immediately replaced her shock. Had C.C. been serious about killing her? She tip-toed over to the front windows and peered through, hoping to get a secret glance at who was outside.

"You bitch!" Shirley yelled as she saw a familiar face flash through the curtains. She had been on her way to work and had decided to make a stop at Lelouch's new place. She had gotten the address from Rolo after barely any hard work and fixed up herself real nice to visit her Lulu. Unfortunately for her, she had no idea why her precious Lulu had moved out, but she had been guessing that he wanted more private time with her, instead of having Rolo interrupt almost any interaction they were having.

Kallen groaned to herself as Shirley began to fling hate-filled words at the door, banging at it every other second, losing her temper in the pristine neighbourhood. People parted their curtains and watched the lady dressed in a super tight leather dress and 6 inch stilettos bang on the door of the neighbourhood's newest member.

Kallen rolled herself into a ball against a wall, praying and hoping that Shirley would give up and go away. After a while, her hopes were settled as with a final threatening sentence, Shirley took her leave.

"Am gonna to kill ya for takin Lulu from me!" Shirley yelled before storming off back to the bus stop. Kallen shook on the floor as tears welled up in her eyes. She would have to leave him. If things continued like this she would either have a miscarriage from stress or be dead if the two girls carried out their death wishes.

A knock came on the door again and Kallen curled tighter into a ball. Was it C.C. this time, ready to hurt the red head? Or was it Shirley, back with an even greater vengeance?

"Kallen? Kallen? I know you're in here!" The voice of Mr. Kururugi floated to her ears. She remained curled tightly in her little ball. She wasn't even interested in a visit from him. As a matter of fact, she had forgotten about him as thoughts of Lelouch had invaded her mind.

The door popped open and Kallen released herself from the ball, looking up to see who had forcibly entered the house. She gasped when she saw it was Mr. Kururugi.

"Mr. Kururugi…how?" Kallen asked, looking up at him from the floor. He held out a hand to her.

"I saw that girl leave. I heard her threatening you," he said. Kallen took his hand and he pulled her up. She looked into his eyes and immediately distrusted him and wondered why she had liked him in the first place.

"You were…here?" She asked.

"Yes, I was going to ask if you wanted to go on a date with me," he said and smiled, intertwining their fingers. She pulled her hand from his and furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at him. Why had her view of him changed so suddenly?

"No…I don't want to," she said, taking a few steps back. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"Kallen…" He started.

"Who are you, Mr. Kururugi?" She asked. The atmosphere changed drastically as he sighed and swung his hand behind his back.

"Kallen…we are going on this date," he said and pulled out a gun, aiming it at her leg and smiling sadistically, "I like to have fun, so I won't kill you…yet," he said and Kallen's eyes went big and all the fight drained out of her and he grabbed her arm and pulled her with him out of the house.

XXX XXX

Lelouch got off the bus and jogged to the shop, Manuel out in front staring down the road.

"I wouldn't go inside if I were you," Manuel said to Lelouch. Lelouch ignored the big man and stepped inside, his eyes immediately falling on Rivalz, who had his sleeves folded up and his pants splattered with oil as he worked on the engine of a car. His face was one of quiet fury and Lelouch knew something was definitely wrong; Rivalz had always been gentle but firm when dealing with cars and noticeably, he was wearing his good clothes, not his normal mechanic gear. All eyes turned to Lelouch as he entered and all conversations stopped.

"I'd advise you to run…now," someone whispered to Lelouch. Rivalz sensed the arrival of the dark haired man and he looked up, his eyes filled with hate.

"Damn you, Lelouch!" He yelled, throwing down his tools and storming over to a confused Lelouch.

"Are you looking for another fight, Rivalz?" Lelouch asked with a scowl on his face. What was his deal?

"Hell yeah I'm looking for another fight! This is all because of you!" Rivalz yelled as he pointed an accusatory finger at Lelouch.

"You have any idea what's going on?" A tall mechanic asked his short friend.

"Nope, but let's see what'll happen!" The friend responded and the two, with big, bright eyes, focused on the drama unfolding before them.

"I don't know what you're talking about, you asshole," Lelouch narrowed his eyes at the angry man. Rivalz fought against the arms that held him back, trying to cover up his sadness with anger. His efforts became weaker and weaker as the sadness won over and he started to shake in the arms of the man restraining him.

"It's all your fault, Lelouch! You caused it! You did it! You ruined everything!" Rivalz said as tears streamed down his cheeks.

"You're a crazy lunatic! I did nothing!" Lelouch yelled angrily. He didn't like being accused of things he didn't do.

"Yes you did! You stole Kallen and now…now you've stolen Millay! You've taken her from me!" Rivalz yelled. Everyone gasped as the reason behind Rivalz's attack on Lelouch became clearer.

"Did Lelouch sleep with his girlfriend?"Someone asked.

"I don't know, but let's see what'll happen!" The reply came and once again, bright eyes followed the actions of the two men as they tried to deduce what was really going on between them.

"I still don't understand what this idiot is saying. I didn't steal Kallen, she came to me by her own accord," Lelouch snapped, watching Rivalz collapse in the arms of his friend, sorrow pushing tears out of him. It was the second time he had seen Rivalz cry. The first time had been a few months ago at the funeral. And now, this. But what was this exactly?

"You made Millay break up with you, you dog! You stole her heart and now you've stabbed me in mine! I love her! I love her!" Rivalz said and so he continued, an idiot in love. Lelouch didn't speak as he watched his friend crumble before him. This was what love could do…it could make one into a bumbling oaf. What would happen to him in the next few months when Kallen had her baby and they gave it to Nunally? She would leave him…and he would never see him again. He stiffened as everyone tried to help Rivalz. He would have to make her fall for him! He had to! He tightened his fists and fought back the tears. He refused to let this happen to him. Kallen had to fall for him…just as how he had fallen for her.

XXX XXX

Millay lay on her bed, her eyes glazed over as she hugged two picture frames to her chest. Her breathing was steady, but slow. If someone had barged in on her, they would have thought she was dead. That conclusion would have been partially true, because at that moment, Millay wasn't Millay. She wasn't on earth. She was caught up in her memories and her past mistakes and caught up in trying to figure out if breaking up with Rivalz was the right thing to do. It had been impossible for her to lose her friend and watch Rivalz suffer because of her. She had yelled at him countless times in the past two weeks, too stressed out to control herself. And he had just watched her rave and point fingers and call him names. Then, when she was finished, he would wrap her in his arms, tell her he loved her and kiss her gently and lovingly. And then she would cry, because she had been a bitch to him and he was only being sweet to her.

He didn't deserve that. He didn't deserve to be treated like refuse, like trash! He was above that kind of treatment…she couldn't let him suffer. If she had made him put up with her any longer, she would have a greater weight on her heart right about now. She closed her eyes and suppressed the tears as she tried to convince herself that breaking up with the man she loved was the right decision to make.

Sorry for putting up this chapter so late, but I had to go to orientation for my new job then I walked all about the town with my friends. ^_^

This chapter came out rather nicely on the first try and I think it makes up for my previous chapter. Please tell me all what you think about this dramatic change of events and I know you must all be dying to know what happens to Kallen. But please be patient, I'm working on that now. And I'm aiming for 300 reviews!

Thanks to my faithful and ever appreciated reviewers. May God bless you:

jeune rye, CelestialTwilight, Kyrios555, BlackRabbits, kou32, LasNoches92girl, nightingale mistress, Atheist 1, Chibi Emo-Chan, thepinkmartini, Synfully, nanoman79 and PikaDigi.