Thank you: DarkFlame Alchemist, 0208, brunettebookworm14, Invader Designia and lordmarik!! :D I give you chapter 16!! -crowd cheers-
There was a blinding flash of white light and Isabella found herself standing in a misty area...white everywhere and the floor beneath her bare feet drifted about like solid clouds. She had no idea if she was dead or alive...the bullet wounds were gone as she guided her fingers over her ribs and stomach...and she saw a white dress hanging a few yards away from her. Interested, Isabella walked over to it, letting the skirt flutter down to her knees and the straps were soft and skinny against her shoulders. It was a warm, comfortable dress and Isabella sat down, the skirt leafing out around her.
"Where in the world am I?" she wondered aloud and there was a flash of green light.
"Isabella, long time no see, my angel," Astrid Liberata stepped forward, wearing a dress similar to Isabella's but a deep blue, like the ocean.
"Mom? Wait, I'm dead?!"
"No, you're just in the place between Heaven and Earth. You almost gave up back there," Astrid said and with a wave of her hand, the clouds spread, revealing a hospital room.
"There's me," Isabella mumbled, "my body at least."
"It's not over yet, Isabella," Astrid said and pointed to Lelouch. "Wow, he's gotten handsome...also...while you're here, you two better behave."
Isabella sweat dropped and pressed her lips together.
"Not till marriage, Mom."
"Good girl."
"I might get married young though..."
"ISABELLA!"
Isabella burst out laughing and lay-ed down on her stomach, watching the scene in the hospital room. Her body was laying in a bed, seven doctors around her and one holding a defibrillator over her heart. It took three doctors to hold Lelouch back from her, who was fighting to get to her side, and another two to pull him out of the room.
"I'm right here...Lelouch..." Isabella reached down and tried to touch him but her hand went through him.
"You can go back," Astrid said and Isabella retracted her hand back.
"Clear," one doctor said and the defibrillator zapped her unresponsive body.
"Mom, I want to be with you, Dad and Shirley as well as Ami and Scotty," Isabella said and stepped through the door of the room, the machine giving out a long beep, signaling no hert beat. Lelouch was sitting on a chair right across the door, his face soaked in tears and his hands clamped in front of him. Isabella reached out and glided her hand over his hair but he couldn't feel or see her.
"Are you sure you're ready, Isabella?" Astrid asked and Isabella shook her head.
"Tell Dad and Shirley I said hi and I love them. Let Scotty and Ami know too..."
Isabella stepped through the door again and stood over her body.
"I'll see you again sometime," Isabella told her mother, and she smiled.
"I love you, my angel. Don't ever give up on life, no matter what happens."
Astrid was gone and Isabella felt her spirit being yanked back into her body. She coughed several times, the doctors bolting back to her side.
"She's alive! She's responding!"
"Le--louch--" Isabella said through coughs and rubbed her eyes, "where--is--Lelouch?"
"He's fine...he's right outside," one doctor and stabbed a needle into her arm for the IV.
"Can you try to not kill me?" Isabella muttered and closed her eyes again.
"It's pain killer."
Isabella inhaled deeply, her heart beat steady, and fell asleep.
Three Hours Later...
"Isabella," C.C. called and Isabella followed her voice, "Isabella."
"What is it C.C.?"
Isabella found her green haired friend and C.C. offered her a seat on a pew next to her.
"Where are we?"
"A church," C.C. said and Isabella seated herself next to the witch.
"Why are we here?"
"It's a premonition I sent to you. Pretty much foreshadowing your own life."
"What could you be foreshadowing--"
There was a splash of blinding colorful light and C.C. was gone.
"Hey, she's waking up."
"Too bad Lelouch is asleep."
"Isa-bellaaa!"
"Would you stop?"
Isabella swallowed and opened her eyes, C.C. being the first person she saw.
"Welcome back," the witch greeted and Isabella gave her a smile.
"Hey C.C."
Isabella sat up, her stomach and ribs incredibly sore, and gathered her hair before flipping it over her shoulder.
"Tamaki, she's awake," Kallen stuck her head outside the door and Tamaki practically knocked her over when he burst into the room.
"Isabella, are you alright?!"
"Yes...whoa...you're all in street clothes..." Isabella observed Tamaki's white sweater and jeans and Kallen's red tank top with white jeans, C.C. being in her usual white combat suit and was sitting on the edge of Isabella's bed.
"Nice observation," Tamaki raised his eyes to the celeing and stuck his hands in his pockets.
"Lelouch hasn't woken up yet," Kallen told her and Isabella directed her attention to Lelouch who had a chair pulled up beside the bed, head on his hands and was asleep next to her.
"He hasn't moved since the doctor said you were awake...or breathing at least," C.C. said and Isabella ran her fingers through his hair, a loving smile on her face.
"It took five doctors to get him out of here. He wouldn't leave your side," Tamaki mused and Isabella kept her hand on his head, her fingers laced with his brown waves.
"I can only imagine what he would do if you died," Kallen thought aloud, and Tamaki smirked.
"He'd massacre every single Britannian soldier and if anyone escaped, he'd lock them in a dungeon and torture them until they begged for death."
"And then torture them more," C.C. added and Isabella cringed.
"I certainly hope not. I wouldn't want Lelouch to resort to that level," she said and continued running her hand through his hair.
"I don't he wants to either but...love can do some brutal things to people," Tamaki shrugged and Kallen stood by the door.
"Tamaki, C.C., let's give them alone time," she said and Isabella flashed her a thankful smile.
"Have fun you two," Tamaki exhaled and strode out of the room, C.C. following him.
"Tamaki, don't be a pervert," Kallen snapped and slapped the back of his head.
"Would you quit with that?!"
The door closed and Isabella directed her attention to Lelouch, who was still asleep. Isabella felt a soft smile spreading across her face again and lightly pushed strands of hair out of his face, her fingers frigid against his warm skin. Lelouch uttered a sigh and turned his head before sitting up straight.
"Konichiwa," Isabella chirped and Lelouch rubbed his eye, smiling.
"I'm not going to lie, I about lost my mind a little bit ago," he told her and Isabella gave a girlish giggle.
"Well...I did die for a few minutes but then I came back."
"That's...freaky..."
Isabella rubbed his head, her fingers lacing with his hair and she brought her hand down to his cheek and Lelouch closed his eyes, turning his head towards her cool touch.
"I saw my mom," she said and Lelouch opened his eyes.
"Are you--?"
"No, I'm okay with it. She's exactly the same as she was when she was alive. It's okay. I thought it was neat," Isabella chimed and Lelouch sat next to her on the bed.
"I'm so glad you're alright," he whispered and envoloped her in his arms.
"I told you I wouldn't let something as little as death get in the way," she teased and Lelouch hugged her tighter, another smile on his face.
"If everyone had as much will power as you did..."
"Britannia would be impossible to defeat."
"True," Lelouch agreed and stroked her hair, Isabella snuggling closer to him.
"So, what are we going to do?"
Lelouch was quiet and hugged her a little tighter, avoiding the question.
"Lelouch?"
"I love you."
"What are you planning now?" Isabella sighed, not liking his distant voice.
He still didn't answer, making Isabella extremely uneasy.
Midnight, Four Days after returning to Ashford...
Isabella trugded through the damp grass and weaved between trees as more rain seeped through her Black Knight uniform. The church came into view and Isabella's stomach knotted several times while turning in endless flips as she aproached the oak doors and raised her hand to the brass handle. She let herself inside, the warmth of the chaple embracing her as she eyed the room, her eyes coming upon the alter. C.C. was there, kneeling in front of the crucifix, her hands folded and head bowed. Isabella walked up to her, and C.C. finished her prayer before facing her.
"The time has come, Isabella."
The Knight nodded and there was a swirl of bright colors and the sound of shattering glass. The scene changed and Isabella found herself on the sidewalk surrounded by a sea of people all gazing out into the road. Isabella shoved passed the wall of humans and finally came near the front, where she followed everyone's gaze to the huge float like structure slowly driving down the street.
"He's gone crazy," a man whispered to his friend and the other man shushed him.
"If he hears you he'll--"
Isabella blinked and then saw a long blade plunge through the man standing at the top of the float. Her mouth opened and she let out a scream as he fell forward, a trail of scarlet following him. Isabella broke loose from the crowd and reached to where he had fallen, tears blinding her. The scene changed again and she was standing at the edge of a cliff, the serene ocean waves kissing the surface. She looked down at the waves, tears pushing their way out of her eyes, took a deep breath and then jumped head first towards the water.
Concious...
Isabella felt her body shaking and cold sweat beaded on her face. She coughed and then jerked away, realizing she was sitting up and panting heavily. She thought her heart was going to burst through her chest as she wiped her forehead and pulled her knees towards her chest.
Just a nightmare...just a nightmare...
"Isabella, are you feeling alright?" Kallen asked from across the room and Isabella shook her head.
"I had a nightmare...it's okay...I'm fine," she assured her friend and Kallen inhaled.
"I've been having a lot of those too," the other Knight said and Isabella focused on her, or tried to through the thick darkness.
"Anything you want to talk about?"
"Just visions of being prisoner and seeing people I love die," Kallen whispered and Isabella bit her lip.
"Same here."
"You don't think it means anything, do you?"
"It depends...how many times have you had the same or a similar nightmare?"
"They've been occuring almost nightly..." Kallen trailed off and Isabella rested her forehead on her knees.
"I wouldn't ignore them," she said quietly and Kallen ran her fingers through her deep red hair.
"What about you?"
"Every night now since I got back from the hospital. Before that they were once every few weeks," Isabella told her and Kallen laid back down.
"I hope they aren't--trying to show us the future or something," she prayed and Isabella couldn't respond as she too laid down and stared blankly at the celeing, remembering the preminition C.C. had sent to her in the hospital.
The Next Morning...
"Has anyone seen Lelouch?" Isabella asked as she walked into the Student Council room. Rivalz turned his attention from Milly to answer Isabella.
"No, I haven't seen him or Suzaku all morning," he answered and Isabella felt a pang of suspicion.
What is Suzaku doing?
"Isabella-onee," Rolo came up to her and she only had to make eye contact with him to understand what he was going to say.
"I'll be back later," Isabella told the remaining Student Council and hurried out of the room.
In the Ghettos...
"Rolo, what did Lelouch tell you he was doing?"
"He just said 'I'll be back' and then left. He didn't say," Rolo panted as he had to run to keep up with Isabella's brisk pace.
Isabella turned into an alley and felt relieved Kallen had left a Knightmare there for her.
"Rolo," Isabella tossed him the key to his own Knightmare, "find him. He's most likely with Suzaku and you know my trust level with him is not high."
"Got it," Rolo said and Isabella secured her earpiece in her left ear.
"Kallen, where is Lelouch?"
"I'm searching for him now," Kallen replied and Isabella climbed into her Knightmare.
"Is Suzaku with him?"
"I believe so. I'm keeping an eye out for Zero's ship as well as the Lancelot--oh great, our best friends."
"Wonderful, they make thing so much more fun," Isabella smirked and took off. "C.C., where are you?"
There was no answer and Isabella readied her forceshields incase she needed them as she flew.
"C.C.!"
Still no answer and Isabella scanned the area over her bird's eye view screen.
My main priority is finding either Suzaku or Lelouch or both. If those two are alone together...I really don't trust Suzaku at this point in time.
Isabella continued flying over the sky, searching through the screen and then felt her Knightmare jerk.
"What the--?!"
"Isabella, there are Britannian Knightmare's right behind you!" Kallen cried and Isabella growled.
"Damn it, why now?!"
Isabella swung the Knightmare around, firing the bullets and activated her protection shields.
"Why do they have to show up at the most inconvienient times?!"
The Britannian Knightmare aimed at her and spewed a lava like substance at her and she barely missed it, whipping her blade out and throwing it at the enemy. Isabella shot forth fire and managed to strike the opposing Knightmare in the arm and retracted back her blade, poiseing it threateningly. The Britannian fired bullets and Isabella felt her Knightmare shake as it got hit and she flew forward, the mechanical arm outstretched. It's steel fingers grew sharp and Isabella lunged forward, the finger penetrating through the chest.
"When I find out what you've done with Lelouch, I'll kill each and every one of you in the most painful way I can think of," Isabella hissed and threw the Knightmare into the water below them.
"Onee-san, I've found Brother!"
Isabella zoned into Rolo's voice and sped back towards the land.
"Where is he?!"
"He was over south, near the end of the ghettos...he said Nunnally was there and then he lost her!"
"Where is Suzaku?"
"I think he left. He was trying to find Nunnally as well."
"Thanks...I'm headed there now. Get to Lelouch and make sure he's alright. Is Nunnally alright?"
"I believe so."
"Good. I'm coming now," Isabella told him and steered her Knightmare south towards the edge of the ghettos, keeping her screen in front of her.
If Lelouch was trying to get to Nunnally...then what could have happened? She's alright...I can feel it but still...something's going on...just...what?!
Isabella reached the boundaries of the ghettos and notcied Zero's ship embedded in the trees of the woods. She landed and lowered herself to the ground, immideatly jogging upto the ship.
"Lelouch!"
"Get back in your Knightmare!" C.C. commanded and Isabella backed up when she heard the roaring of Knightmares overhead.
"Nunnally!" Isabella heard Lelouch's voice in the background and the ship began to fly back up into the air.
"Shit..."
In a flash, Isabella was back in her Knightmare and no sooner a Britannian landed in front of her.
"What are you low lives doing with Nunnally?!"
Isabella swung her sword and it clashed with the Britannian's, making her shake. Isabella reared around to the left, soaring up into the air and then firing her bullets.
Whatever they are doing...Nunnally may be the one whose going to get hurt...I won't allow that to happen!
"DAMN YOU!" Isabella cursed as the Britannian shot her Knightmare down and she crashed but regained what was left of control. Isabella lunged forward and aimed the blade for the middle of the Knightmare. Their blades crashed and the opposer forced her backwards just as a flash of blinding light erupted in the sky.
"NUNNALLY!"
Isabella regained control and the Britannians all left, Isabella speeding back to Lelouch's ship.
"I will not allow you bastards to cause him any more pain!"
Isabella reached the ship and jumped out of her Knightmare, gun in her hand, and sprinted on. She reached the sitting area where Rolo was on his phone and Lelouch had his head in his hands as he sat on the couch.
"Lelouch," Isabella approached him and laid a hand on his back. He didn't move or respond, and Isabella looked over at C.C. "What have they done with Nunnally?!"
"You know as much as I do."
"Alright...Big Brother is resting now...alright...bye."
Rolo hung up and Lelouch clenched his hands together.
"Where is she?" he asked through clenched teeth, "what have they done to my sister?!"
"Jeremiah is searching for her now, Nii-san--"
"Don't call me that damn it!" Lelouch sprang to his feet and Rolo back away.
"Nii--"
"Damn it, you honestly think you can hold the same title as Nunnally?! Do you honestly think you could replace her?!"
"Lelouch, calm down! This isn't Rolo's fault!" Isabella cried but Lelouch ignored her.
"You're an imposter! I never cared for you!"
"Nii-san..."
"Get out!"
"Lelouch!"
Isabella latched her hands onto his arm, hoping he wouldn't try to strike Rolo.
"GET OUT YOU IMPOSTER!"
Rolo ran out of the ship and Lelouch shoved Isabella off of him making her topple to the ground. Isabella fell on her side and Lelouch froze once he saw what he had done. She glared up at him, her green eyes burning into his and he reached down to help her back up.
"Isabella--I'm--"
"Don't apologize to me, apologize to Rolo. He didn't do anything wrong and yet you went off on him like he wanted this to happen. For all you know, Nunny is fine."
Isabella shoved his hand off of her and stood up herself.
"I'll be back. Pull yourself together," Isabella said and walked off the ship into the woods to find Rolo.
She walked a ways with no sign of the boy and she tried not to panic.
What if he went back to Britannia...
Isabella continued on, keeping her gun handy incase she would need it and then heard the snap of a twig.
"Oh, Isabella," Suzaku said and appeared in front of her, "you scared me."
Isabella felt rage boil inside her the longer she kept her eyes connected with his and she grinded her teeth together.
"You had something to do with this...you can't stay loyal to one side can you?!"
Isabella dropped her gun and swung her fist, punching him in the mouth.
"First you go and twist a knife in your friends' backs...just handing them over to the prime evil one that caused all of this in the first place and the nyou act as if you're on our side?!"
Isabella slapped his face and punched him in the stomach.
"WHO ARE YOU!?"
Suzaku back away from her and fell to one knee, his lip bleeding and Isabella glowered.
"You piss me off, you really do," she snapped and Suzaku kept his eyes down.
"Forgive me, Isabella..."
"Just like that!? No way! I'll never forgive you for what you've done!" Isabella clenched her fists so hard her nails pierced her palms, making them bleed.
I feel so hyprocritical...I just got irritated with Lelouch about yelling at Rolo...well then again I have a reason to be pissed at Suzaku. I have many reasons.
"So what now?" she demanded and crossed her arms.
"What do you mean?"
"What are you and Lelouch planning? Or what are you plotting against him?"
"I'm not plotting against him," Suzaku said and Isabella scowled.
"If you're lying to me--"
"I promise you I'm not."
"Then what's going on?"
"I can't tell you," Suzaku said as he stood and Isabella took a deep breath before asking her next question.
"And why is that?"
"I just can't," Suzaku told her and then walked away from her.
"You should have just shot him," Rolo said and came out from behind a tree.
"I'm not killing anyone else close to me," she declared and Rolo walked up beside her.
"Understandable," he said and followed Isabella back to the ship.
Lelouch...what are you planning to do?
Well, I'm asking the same thing. What is Lelouch planning? Reviews!