The Kiss
Everything about VV annoyed Cornelia. From the plush furniture in his office to his luxurious hairdo. "I said 'Who the hell are you?'" The irate woman repeated. She cocked her gun.
VV leaned back and breathed in the heavily perfumed air. "Well now for a world class general you seem a bit dim. Do I really have to work this out you? If calling me a son-of-a-bitch is an insult to your grandmother and I'm certainly not you father, who I'm I?"
"Don't you dare condescend me!" Cornelia cocked her gun, "Obviously your claiming to be my uncle you little ingrate, but your obviously to young, even if your older then you look. My grandmother, the woman you're alleging to be your 'mother', died decades ago. Tell me who you really are or I'll put a bullet through your head."
VV smiled at her. It seemed genuine but it was not one you'd give a friend; rather it was one you'd give a dog about to do a trick. The amused look on VV's face would in most cases warranted death from the short-tempered Princess but instead of rage she felt bewilderment. Does this child have no fear of death?
A ring came from the man-boy's phone. As he began to pick it up Cornelia shouted, "Don't even think about it!"
Still smiling VV countered, "Oh but you'll want me to answer this call. Did you really think I hadn't seen this coming my dear niece? Your men at Ashford, your little games with Lelouch's hospital residence. I took the liberty of assuring you obedience." VV answered the phone. "Yes? … Good, put her on the phone."
Cornelia couldn't make out what the person on the other end was saying but she had a growing sense of dread. As VV handed her the phone her stomach was already in knots and her mouth dry. "Hello?" She answered stiffly.
"Oh god, sister its you. Men – they've captured me. Please they've hurt Suzaku. They're Britannian not terrorists; I don't know what's going on." It was Euphemia's voice.
Cornelia broke out into a cold sweat. Heart pounding and hands trembling despite her bests efforts she asked the most important question or her life, "Euphy, what color are your underwear?"
"...Forty-two"
She had hoped that this was a ruse, but the answer on the other end confirmed that this was truly her sister. Before going to Japan, Cornelia had demanded that Euphy know the answer to that security question in the case of her kidnapping to confirm her identity. At the time Euphy had giggled at the idea going along with it only if she could pick the question and answer. Even the serious-minded Cornelia had to stifle a laugh at her sisters choice, but neither had any joy in it now. It was a case of life and death.
The phone was taken away from Euphemia and Cornelia heard a man on the other end, "Satisfied, your majesty?"
"Yes." Her military training was starting to take over. She suppressed her natural desire to shout and threaten, her tactical knowledge taking precedent. Cornelia knew better then to antagonize the men who held Euphy's life in their hands.
VV held out his hand and she but the cellphone into it. He put it to his ear, "Take her to Location Bravo-Whiskey." Turning the phone off, an awkward silence began. VV opened up the drawer to his obscenely massive desk, only exaggerated by his small body. Once open he retrieved a ring, his father's. Made of jade and stamped with his father's own symbol of a stag on two legs. It had a certain elegance to it that demanded it be used only special occasions. That's why he rarely wore it, utilizing it only for ceremonial purposes or to make a point. This time it would be the latter.
Slipping the bulky thing onto his middle and ring fingers he slid down from his chair and confidently strode towards Cornelia. Her men shifted uneasily, they knew the power dynamic had just been completely reversed. "Kneel." VV commanded once he was in front of the Princess. The Goddess of Victory complied. The man-boy reached out the hand with the large ring. Cornelia did not need to be commanded on what to do next. It was an ancient tradition, one to establish the dominance of one royal and the submission of another without resorting to bloodshed. It was outdated and but no less debasing. Cornelia's cheeks were tinged red with humiliation as she took the ringed hand of the man-boy she so despised and subserviently lowered her lips to it.
Once her task was complete VV leaned over and whispered into her ear, "Never forget I made you do that." Before Cornelia could even think of a retort she wouldn't have spoken aloud VV's ringed hand broke her nose and split her lip in a viscous slap. Her blood spattering on the carpet left of her. The soldiers moved to avenge this assault on their princess, Cornelia gestured for them to stop. Returning to his chair his feet dangling, VV ordered the intruders to leave not bothering to look up from the papers on his desk. Hearing them leave he couldn't resist a glance to gauge their pitiful retreat, A once proud princess and her elite soldiers walking away in a manner befitting a bitch with a tail between her legs.
10 Minutes Earlier -
Suzaku was nervous it was quiet, too quiet only hearing his and Euphy's footsteps on the sidewalk. He breathed in the cool night air glancing around the polished streets of the Tokyo settlement, "Euphy this is dangerous; you really shouldn't have ditched your body guards."
Euphy took her brown hat off and hugged Suzaku's arm, "I'm sure you'll protect me."
Suzaku smiled and kissed her, "Always," he said. Suzaku realized what was bothering him. There were no cars on the road. Even at this time of night we should have seen someone driving. The effect was an eerie loneliness in one of the largest cities in the world. There are no people either. Even if this isn't a major street they're should be plenty of people. Euphmia seemed oblivious. He and Euphmia had abandoned the car along with her bodyguards. "Alright, I'm going to call the bodyguards and let them know where we are so they can pick us up."
Euphmia frowned, "I hope you don't get into trouble. Oh I know, I'll tell them you found me after I absconded. That way you'll be a big hero and not have my sister try to strangle you."
Suzaku gave a false smile his thoughts darkly turning to Tohdoh. He shuddered and struck the horrific images of his former mentor's execution from his mind. He flipped open his cellphone only to hear static. With increasing uneasiness he borrowed Euphmia's phone and received same results. A chill went down Suzaku's spine as he put the pieces together. Traffic diversion and communication jamming... It was textbook military kidnapping, Dam those black knights. He reacted quickly pulling out his gun and grabbing Euphmia's arm.
"Suzaku what's going on?" asked the frightened Princess.
"You're in danger your majesty." He continued to lead Euphemia by her hand to a parked white motorcycle. He began to hot-wire it. Then something caught Suzaku's eye. He looked up to see a brown haired Britannian youth. He appeared approximately fourteen by honorary britannian's estimate. Suzaku ignored him for the time being, Surely this kid can't be a black knight. Then Suzaku heard the cocking of a gun. He was staring down the dark hole of a pistol silencer. Suzaku put his hands up and stepped in front of Euphmia, "Whoa take it easy kid. What do you want?"
Rollo took out his phone, "I've located her. Bring the van here immediately."
Suzaku began to panic, That kid's phone isn't jammed. He must be part of this. Taking the boys seeming distraction Suzaku decided to act. He leapt into the air using a spinning kick. In one instance his foot was about to make contact with the youth's startled face and in the next instance Suzaku was laying a pool of his own blood battered and bruised.
Euphemia blinked unsure of what just happened. Rollo dispassionately wiped Suzaku's blood from the handle of his pistol. Euphemia backed up then with an angry scream she charged Rollo. The assassin easily dodged the girl's attacks; grabbing her arms while he froze her. She struggled and scratched and so he froze her again and again. Rollo grimaced, he knew he couldn't hurt her, VV was very clear on that point, but he couldn't continuously freeze her either as his head beginning to get light.
Suddenly Shirley's dying words entered Rollo's mind. Does the princess love this Suzaku character? If Shirley was right then she'd do anything for him, even if they're not logical. Rollo could see a certain poetry to it, using the power of love where the power of Geass failed. Rollo pushed his pink haired adversary off of him and pointed his gun at Suzaku's beaten and unconscious body. "Stop resisting or I'll put three bullets into his head."
Euphemia gasped, her tears of anger turning into a sob of shame and sorrow. I'm so sorry Suzaku, if only I hadn't been so selfish and demanded to go clubbing as a normal commoner none of this would have happened.
She never spoke to Rollo, instead sinking to her knees and lowered her head. Rollo didn't need her to speak he knew he had beaten her. The van came minutes later and Euphemia entered without resistance or protest. Once she had been secured Rollo waved them off. In the van Euphemia never heard the three silenced shots Rollo fired into Suzaku's limp chest and head.
A/N: Okay seriously how many people really didn't get VV's the son-of-a-bitch retort? If you guys need any calcification don't hesitant to ask. Also I do admit I'm a total VV fan. I know he's unpopular but he's just so dam cool. What do you guys think of him?
Also what do you think of the order of the two scenes. Should I had the kidnapping come fist and have it be a surprise or is having Euphy's voice be the surprise better? I was hoping I was going to have some of you worrying he had found Nunnally. ;) Until next time...