After re-writing the beginning of this chapter a million times, I finally got it done! Now, I can only hope this chappie is satisfactory as I know it's not one of my best. However, it isn't half bad!
Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass, but I do own a Muse Bunny account and I'm having fun there!
Chapter 18: Charging
From every angle, guns were pressed stiffly into Lelouch's body. He tried not to move, a specific gun squashed against a certain body part. His heartbeat wasn't off the charts as one would expect, neither were his eyes darting nervously all over the place. He held no fear of being shot, because that wasn't what mattered to him at that moment. He gritted his teeth as the image of the object of his rescue was displayed crystal clear in his mind. He only felt fear for her, fear that she was somehow hurt…because of him.
"Lelouch." The voice belonged to Suzaku and Lelouch couldn't tell whether the gang leader was asking or a question, or using the friendly tone he had seemingly discarded all those months ago with the death of Euphie.
"Which other friggin' idiot do you think would charge in here without help?" Lelouch answered, his eyes fixed on Suzaku's newly emerged figure. Suzaku cocked his head to the side as he took a few seconds to examine the dark haired man who had once been his best friend. Suddenly, the brunet laughed and shook his head slightly. Lelouch's eyebrows furrowed as he tried to quell the desire of lunging for Suzaku's throat and strangling him until he met death. But that wasn't a smart thought; the guns pushed to his body would finish him before he could even get a finger on Suzaku. Suzaku Kururugi - his onetime best friend who in the end turned around and took the most painful revenge, for which reason Lelouch was unsure of. If it was indeed Euphie…
"That's a good question. Lower your weapons men, allow me and Lelouch to have one more day of friendship," Suzaku said. The men reacted quickly, pulling their guns away and stepping back from Lelouch. However, not even for a second did their eyes leave the mechanic. They watched his every movement. If his eyebrows twitched to show a different emotion and if his eyes became flooded with death wishes, they would know then to react…and they would react effectively.
"I think you're being a delusional asshole," Lelouch said, his relaxed body language a contradiction to what was going on behind his eyes. Suzaku had attacked them, deceived her and finally taken her away. He still knew how to irk Lelouch, he still knew how to damage the dark haired man.
"Follow me…and then you can make your judgment," Suzaku said and turned his back on Lelouch. The fingers of the gang members brushed against their triggers, ready to fire if Lelouch decided to attack their boss…their boss who had just foolishly turned his back on an enemy. Suzaku sauntered down the fairly dark corridor, the lights off, for effect was what Lelouch was thinking as he soundlessly followed behind.
Guards were posted at every corner and they were the ones who acted as cameras in the house. Among all of them, they missed nothing and no one. Lelouch couldn't help being impressed at how quickly Suzaku had gained their trust and loyalty and how single handedly, his former best friend managed to keep them all in check.
Suzaku was strangely glad on the inside. He had called to Euphie only a few minutes before Lelouch arrived, and he was thriving on the high he got whenever he talked to her in his office. She was no longer a real human being, but he knew he could bring her back to life through his mind for at least 10 minutes out of every day. His talk with Euphie had made him yearn for the past when he and Lelouch had been closer than blood brothers could ever be, back to the days when Lelouch had been compassionate and understanding…morals he had seemingly discarded when Euphie had died. Not once had Lelouch mourned with him, not once had his "best friend" tried to comfort him. He was too caught up with C.C. to even acknowledge the pain he, Suzaku, was going through. After that, things had gone downhill for both of them. C.C. had been the one to offer comfort to Suzaku, and he had gladly accepted. A decision that had thrown him and Lelouch apart and had made them enemies. Oh how he longed for the old days.
Lelouch knew before they stopped in front of the door which room Kallen was in. There was just something about the man who stood guard at the inconspicuous door that triggered the thought that she was behind it. Suddenly, he was eager. He was eager to hold her and kiss her and God forbid, to truly love her. He wouldn't do it. He wouldn't force her into another erotic journey, no matter how much he wanted to. He was nervous too, anxious also. But most of all he was hoping, hoping that she was completely intact, hoping that Suzaku has not done anything dirty to her. Somehow, as Suzaku greeted the man who stood guard, Lelouch knew his hopes would be let down, he knew that Suzaku had soiled her…someway, somehow.
"She has been quiet all day, boss," the man, addressed as Oghi said to the brunet gang leader. Suzaku smiled, throwing Oghi off his mental balance. Was…was something wrong?
"Good," Suzaku said and turned to smile at Lelouch. It was a happy smile, masking the true monstrosity he hid in himself. Cold shivers ran down Lelouch's spine and he was afraid of Suzaku. For the first time in his life he was truly afraid of Suzaku.
"What's the catch?" Lelouch asked as Oghi twisted the knob and started to open the door.
"There is no catch, all of this is just a plot to torture you, Lelouch. When you see Kallen for the last time today, you'll forever be haunted with her memory for as long as I allow you to live," Suzaku whispered darkly, his true intentions shining brightly in his eyes. Lelouch narrowed his eyes and tried his best to match the evil intensity emanating from Suzaku…but it was impossible, Suzaku had elevated himself to a level that was beyond any Lelouch had ever seen. And as Lelouch entered the room, he knew that Suzaku was close to invincible, he knew that the emotions the brunet had inside him were what drove him and would forever lead him in his deeds.
The door closed behind Lelouch and he let out a breath, thankful that at least he was allowed alone with her…if only he could see her. He glanced around the room, wondering if Suzaku had tricked him into entering and had so easily imprisoned him when he saw a bed and on that bed a covered, unmoving lump. He swallowed with difficulty and with the stealth of a cat strode over to the bed, bent over and gently touched whatever it was under the sheet. It jumped and then stiffened.
"Please, no…please…no," a voice came out, it belonged to Kallen and she was pleading.
"Kallen!" Lelouch said, his voice catching in his throat as salty tears formed in his eyes. He grabbed the sheet and flung it off her. She rolled herself into the fetus position and immediately began crying. Why was he here? Hadn't he gotten what he already wanted from her?
"Leave me alone…please," her voice shook as she refused to meet the eyes of the man in the room. Lelouch's lips trembled as he sat down on the bed and gently slipped Kallen's sleeve up onto her shoulder.
"Kallen, it's not Suzaku…" he said. Before he could finish his sentence, Kallen flew up to envelope him in a hug, the voice finally registering in her head. She held him tightly, afraid that she was just hallucinating and he wasn't real. She inhaled his scent, indescribably grateful for it. Her body was plagued with sobs as she broke against him, all her layers peeled away to reveal the most vulnerable part of her. Her pain and hurt lived in her aura and tears fell down Lelouch's face as his aura became intertwined with hers. He could somehow feel a portion of what she was feeling and he wanted to whisk her away from the house, holding her protectively in his arms as he carried her off and claimed her as…claimed her as…
"Kallen, my Kallen. My beautiful, beautiful, Kallen," he said, pressing his lips to the side of her neck, surprised at the tremor that went through her body at the intimate contact.
"Le…le…Lulu," she managed to say as she half gasped, half cried. Her fingers gripped his shirt and she buried her head into his neck, wishing he could save her.
"I'm here for you…I'm here to get you…I'm gonna take you away…you're going to be fine…I'm here now," he whispered empty hopes to her as he pulled away from her and pecked her on the neck and on the cheek.
"Kiss me please," she said and her eyes fell to the ground. So, he had finally won, she had begged him to kiss her. Lelouch stopped when she said this and his eyes roamed her face, her beautiful face that was puffy from crying so often. He held onto the anger that was threatening to explode in him and he pulled her to him once more, whispering something against her lips before he kissed her.
"No…I beg you…kiss me," he whispered. Their lips locked and it seemed so unreal because for a second, Kallen thought she was hearing voices, voices telling her how much he loved her. Then she realized it was just Lelouch's voice telling her this, comforting her, reaching out to her, confirming her thoughts yet proving her wrong after all. He did love her and he would forever love her. He wouldn't discard her; he would never tire of her kisses. And she kissed him harder, her eyes tightly shut as she tried to satisfy the heat that had started to burn within her.
Lelouch felt like he was floating lightly down from the sky as he heard Kallen whisper that she too loved him into his ears and that she wanted to be with him, she wanted to escape. The strange part was that, her lips had not moved from his and her voice that resonated in his head was so inexplicably real. He felt the passion in the air rise about them and he felt the shift in moods when she kissed him harder. He had promised himself before entering that he would not let this happen…not again.
They fell onto the bed in a tumble and in a mess of limbs as they kissed each other with such unmatched desire. Kallen moaned as Lelouch kissed her neck and Lelouch breathed out huskily as Kallen nibbled on his ear. Hands were on bare flesh and they were suddenly so hot, it was as if they had been dropped into the depths of a blazing fire.
Lelouch closed his eyes and broke away from her to rest his head on her stomach. Was his baby still in there? Or had Suzaku hurt it in any way? He breathed out, he did care, but getting upset when Kallen was running her fingers through his hair was not going to help. And the fire was out, just like that, a mild heat lingering within them. Lelouch was satisfied and shocked at the same time. It had been the first time he had truly accomplished anything without resorting to sex. Just knowing that there was love between them had calmed him. In the midst of all the ruthlessness of Suzaku, Lelouch found himself…happy.
"I'm sorry," he said, his head still propped up against her slightly bulging stomach. He placed a hand on it and rubbed it in small circles.
"You should be," she answered and he winced because he could hear the sharpness in her voice. Why had he thought that she wouldn't blame him for everything? Why had he thought that she would say, 'you had nothing to do with this' when clearly, he had everything to do with it.
"I'll…I'll fix it," he said in a voice that did not belong to him.
"You can't fix it…you should have prevented it…" she said and rolled over to the side, ashamed that she had made it seem as if he was faultless and allowing him the chance of loving her. She did love him…but she also could not help partly hating him for putting her in the situation she was now in.
"I will, you'll see. You won't be spending another hour in this house. I'll make sure of it!" Lelouch said, sitting up and looking at her. He didn't despise her choice to blame him; she was doing the right thing. Now it was time for him to do the right thing.
"Lelou…Lulu…I may never see you again after this. Can't we…can't we just…" and she stopped because she couldn't bring herself to suggest that he simply leave her and go with the flow of things. She knew he wanted to help and she forgave him on that account. But there was no way he alone could rise against Suzaku. There was no way he alone could defeat an entire gang led by someone so coldbloodezdd. Chills ran down her spine as she remembered him poised above her a few days ago. That was all she could remember…she had not been in her body at the moment that he had chosen to take advantage of her…she didn't know what he had done. She, however, remembered him cursing as he stood by her bed, his clothes ruffled, sweat collected over his brow. Had he gone through with it? She shivered again and felt the need to hug herself tightly, she didn't want to know.
She ran a hand over her stomach and pressed her eyes shut as she felt them burn – a prelude to crying. If she hadn't lost her baby now, then she surely would when she got sold. Sold as a piece of clothing, sold like an animal, sold just like a slave. But that was what she was to become – a slave – to not only one man, but to many men, men who she knew would not have mercy on her. Men that would tear her apart whether physically, emotionally or mentally.
Lelouch climbed off of the bed, feeling her lose all hope and watching her shrink into the bed as fear grasped her tightly in its hold. His hand tightened into a strong fist, his knuckles going white as all the anger he had been feeling for the past 6 months blazed in him and all the pain he had been in for his whole life fueled the fire.
"That guard…is he your friend?" He asked, looking away from her. If he looked at her now, he would lose all his anger and he would want to kiss her once more and then another time after that. She glanced up at him answering in a small confused voice.
"Ye…yes," she slightly stammered. How did he know that? Had he spoken to Oghi before he had entered?
"Good. I will be back, and when I come back, the two of us will leave this damn prison together!" He yelled and turned sharply to storm out the door.
"Eh?" Was all Oghi could say as Lelouch exited the room and in a swift movement grabbed the collar of the guard and shoved him against the wall with such ferocity that left him unusually speechless.
"You take care of her until I come back, you hear me?" Lelouch asked in a low voice, the danger heard in his undertone. Oghi nodded, a fear that he had never known spreading through him. Not even Suzaku had made him feel this scared. Lelouch let go of the guard and with his eyes hardened and his eyebrows set at a dangerous angle, the aura he was emitting was one of sheer death. Just his posture was a symbol of just what was going to happen when he walked off and found Suzaku.
'Things will not end well,' Oghi thought as he watched the dark haired man's long strides down the corridor. He was going in the direction of Suzaku's office. How did he know that was where their boss was? Or was he making a lucky guess? Or what if he was unknowingly walking into the lion's den? He shivered, not wanting to be around when the feud between the two men was being settled. He opened the door, slipping inside the room without any noise.
"Kallen, we have to go," he said hurriedly. Kallen sat up in her bed and stared at Oghi with wide eyes.
"Oghi…" she said.
"Trust me," he interrupted her. She closed her mouth, swallowed past the lump in her throat and nodded her head. What had caused the sudden change in him? He had talked about escaping with her so often…but those thoughts had been more of a daydream than an actual plan.
"But what if we both get killed?" She asked rising from the bed. Oghi gulped. He hadn't thought of that, he was just following the voice in his head that had told him to run away and run fast.
XXX XXX
Lelouch didn't knock, there was no need to knock on his sister's door. Well…his deceased sister's door. Suzaku jumped off of the sofa and fired a warning shot. It missed Lelouch by a few inches, yet, Lelouch had not blinked. He at that moment was oblivious to anything and anyone other than Suzaku who had dropped the gun to his side, a friendly smile on his face. Lelouch strode further into the room all the time never taking his eyes from Suzaku and the gun.
"Lelouch," Suzaku said and Lelouch pressed his lips together as a small tear ripped in his heart. Suzaku wasn't being the Suzaku he had grown into, he was being Lelouch's best friend at that moment.
"Stop it, Suzaku," Lelouch said, stopping a few feet in front of the gang leader.
"Stop what, Lelouch?" The brunet enquired, the shift in his personality felt immediately. Lelouch would have been afraid if he had not been so damn angry.
"Stop this bullshit, Suzaku! You're not going to take her away from me! I refuse to let you do it!" Lelouch shouted. With a flick of his wrist, Suzaku threw his gun to the side. It slid on the ground, colliding with a wall before it came to a stop.
"Now you put up a fight," Suzaku murmured, his eyes downcast, his mouth set at an ugly angle.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Lelouch asked, his limbs ready to tackle Suzaku.
"Isn't it obvious who I'm talking about? You of all people should know who meant the most to me!" Suzaku yelled. With a single bound, he had launched himself over the couch and had body slammed Lelouch. They hit the floor – hard.
For a second, Lelouch's vision swam, but he shook it off as he remembered what exactly they were fighting for. He felt a swift kick to his side and he rolled away from his attacker, jumping to his feet when he had put a little distance between them. He was met almost immediately with a fist to the jaw that made him put a foot behind him to brace himself. Suzaku would not let up, he would not allow Lelouch a chance to gather his senses and put up a good fight. Lelouch did his best at blocking the oncoming attacks, the pain impossible to ignore whenever Suzaku planted a good kick or punch on him. Suzaku had always been good at fighting, he had been the one who had taught Lelouch self defense while they were still infants in the courts of the royalties. Lelouch knew that in this case the student would not surpass the master, but…somehow he had to make a breakthrough.
"If this is about Euphie then you have no reason to fight!" Lelouch yelled, blocking an almost uppercut.
"I have all the reason in this world to fight, Lelouch! All the reason in this world!" Suzaku said and did a spin kick that landed Lelouch against a wall, knocking the breath out of him in the process.
"She's dead, Suzaku! Accept that!" Lelouch yelled as blood dripped from his face and onto his collar. He tried to stand up, but pain shot up through him and he winced as he pressed his back to the wall for support. Damn! Not even 5 minutes into the fight and he was hurt! No! This wasn't going to set him back!
"Why didn't you do something?" Suzaku yelled at Lelouch, tears forming in his eyes as he stood his ground. Lelouch glanced up at the brunet, shock spread all across his face.
"What could I have done, Suzaku?" Lelouch questioned him.
"Comforted me," Suzaku said and his shoulders started shaking as slowly, his cheeks became flooded with tears.
"Suza…" Lelouch started as he felt the need to hug his brother, because he had always thought of Suzaku as his brother, until they had declared themselves enemies.
"You didn't care, Lelouch! What a best friend you turned out to be! Euphie died and you let me suffer it all by myself! You weren't even at the funeral with me…you didn't even tell me that you were sorry once," Suzaku said, the tears flowing down his cheeks much like a little child. He had hated when everyone had been coming around, telling him they were sorry for this loss. He didn't want strange people trying to comfort him with empty words. He had needed his best friend then, and Lelouch had let him down.
"How can you be so selfish? I couldn't help you with that, Suzaku! Not when my marriage was failing! She was the first girl I ever thought I loved…and you know that! But now…I've found the real love of my life…and you want to take her away! Damn you!" Lelouch said and with renewed strength, lunged forward and like he had imagined it earlier began to squeeze the life out of Suzaku.
Suzaku felt a trickle of shame as Lelouch grabbed him. He of course knew how madly in love Lelouch had been with C.C. Lelouch had told him first. She had been his world back then…just like how Euphie had been his. He felt his eyes smart and he couldn't believe he was about to cry. Why was he suddenly regretting his actions as Lelouch tried to kill him? His shoulders slumped as his vision blurred and his knees wobbled beneath him.
'Why aren't you fighting back!' Lelouch yelled in his head as he watched Suzaku's eyes flutter as he fought for consciousness and life. He felt his hand shaking and he tried to steady it. He felt tears burning the back of his eyes as Suzaku fell to his knees, his hands hanging by his side as he gazed up through glazed eyes at Lelouch. With a frustrated grunt, Lelouch released his grip on Suzaku's neck, turning his back, fighting the tears littering his cheek as he heard Suzaku's body collapse on the floor.
What…? WHAT? What had just happened? He had had him in his grasp…he had been so close to repaying him for everything! EVERYTHING! He had just given up the opportunity for vengeance so easily, so quickly. He wiped the tears from his cheeks, he wasn't used to crying, it was so uncharacteristic of him. He turned his head slightly to the side, to glance at Suzaku through the corners of his eyes. He felt a dull thumping in his heart. He grasped his chest, right about where his heart was located as the tears flowed again, this time willingly. He hadn't been able to kill him because…he still loved him.
How stupid was he to remember at that particular moment how much fun they used to have together, how often they would talk of their plans for the future…how many times he had professed his love for Euphie…and also how he had finally told Suzaku about C.C. and how he loved her.
He had been thinking for the past few months that he hated Suzaku more than anyone else alive, but did he really believe it? Right about now, he didn't. It was strange for him as he cried, Suzaku groaning on the floor, a bittersweet feeling settling in the pit of Lelouch's stomach and the time seemed to drag by, a minute stretching into what could be described as an hour. Now that he had found out it was impossible to take revenge…what was his next step? Did Suzaku feel how he, Lelouch, felt? What if he didn't?
Suzaku groaned as he rocked slightly on the ground. Everything was spinning – his visions, his thoughts and even his memories. Why had it taken a face to face confrontation and near death experience to realize what he was doing? Why all of a sudden, after months of gathering hatred in his heart for his former best friend and thinking up multiple plots of disposing of him did he feel guilty? He was taking revenge for…absolutely no reason whatsoever. It all clicked to him now that Lelouch had never been close to Euphie, he had spent most of his time with Nunnally. And he, Suzaku, had never tried to help Lelouch with his marriage problems. Why become human now? He let out a pathetic almost animalistic moan of sadness as he too joined Lelouch in crying.
"I'm sorry," they both said at the same time, a bit shocked that they were thinking along the same lines.
"I'm sorry that Euphie died…I'm sorry that she never seemed to love you enough…I'm sorry I wasn't there," Lelouch muttered just loudly enough for Suzaku to hear. The brunet chuckled to himself.
"I'm sorry too…for sleeping with your wife. I don't even know why I did it…I guess I was feeling a little lonely," Suzaku said, his mouth settling in a sad, sad line of despair. Now what would he do? He had been the wrong one in the whole ordeal…and now that he had realized it, what was he going to do? He had no one to blame now…how was he supposed to deal with Euphie's death now?
"Thank you Suzaku, thank you for giving me Kallen," Lelouch said. Suzaku bit the insides of his cheek. He had been unable to harm her, unable to taste her like he had anticipated. When he had tried, and she had disappeared into her own world…he could only think of Lelouch. And how much he must adore her, and how much he still liked his former best friend, and how she must mean a lot to Lelouch…and how alike she was to Euphie. Not alike in personality and goals, but alike in the way of how someone loved them. How could he bring to someone the same thing that had happened to him? It just didn't seem fair, not to anyone! Especially not to him... Lelouch Lamperouge.
Lelouch listened to the silence as Suzaku stood to his feet rather unsteadily. The brunet flipped back his head to stare at the ceiling and pushed his hands in his pocket, gathering himself. It was obvious now that this life wasn't for him…but where would he go…and what would he do?
"Go now, Lelouch, before something else happens," he said, taking his eyes from the ceiling to look at the other man in the room. His eyes flew open as he felt two arms embrace him in a friendly, manly hug. He melted into the embrace, thankful that they had reached a truce - a rather strange truce though. They held each other for a brief moment before parting and slightly blushing for they had just shown each other the most vulnerable part of them. Without another word, Lelouch acknowledged Suzaku for the final time with a nod, and left the room.
Sorry if you think everything went a bit fast…I did a little rushing while I was writing this chapter. I'll try not to rush any more so that this fic can have its big ending! Thanks to all my reviewers and as usual, God bless:
Funkduder, RiseofaRebellion, nanoman79, Aldred Van Envurio, Chibi Emo-Chan, angelicaxp, CelestialTwilight, jeune rye, ryder77, kalulu, Synfully, uvr-B1u5H'd, DW64, LasNoches92girl, thepinkmartini, Southy the Otaku and nightingale mistress!