Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass. I do own the plot. (Also, many thanks for the reviews! You keep reviewing, I'll keep updating!)
Chapter One: The Wolf and the Human
The moon rose high, beaming in a golden glow down upon the earth. A soft rumbling echoed from the soft soil, sending out the signal to all other creatures. A young unicorn glanced up from her perch, neck craned low to the cool spring beneath her. Her snowy white ears flicked to the left, her head following the soft padding that caught her ear. Running as fast as they could a small grouping of three wolves darted out from the surrounding thickets as if heading at her. She watched as they charged, large paws causing bits of dirt to fly behind them, right past her and through the lake, effectively splashing her with the cold spray. She reared back and whinnied loudly, front hooves flailing about in the air as if to ward the water off. When she landed back down she shifted her keen gaze to three romping wolves residing in the water, tossing each other about like young pups would. She snorted in distaste and began retreating as another chocolate coated wolf emerged, looking at her questioningly. She turned her head toward the younger males before snorting again and heading off at a brisk pace. A low growl emitted from the throat of the older wolf as he slipped back in to the forest shadows a bit, eyes narrowing at the energetic teens.
One wolf perked up suddenly, water dripping from his whiskers in small droplets. He scanned the area, emerald orbs looking for anything out of the ordinary, and sniffed lightly. He sighed as the water was blocking out any other scents. "Hey, guys, I think we should head back to the pack. The ceremony is probably going to start soon and something tells me we'll be in big trouble if we're late," He stated worriedly, ears slipping back at the concept of his previously mentioned "big trouble". The other two looked at him, blue and hazel eyes filled with annoyance and skepticism. One snorted, shaking his silvery coat free of water, getting most of it on the other two wolves.
"Aw, come on Suzaku," He began as he rolled his eyes, "normally Takashi's the weenie." The other dust coated wolf growled and pounced, knocking his insulter back in the river face first. While they romped about Suzaku got out, shaking his own dark brown fur dry once he could feel the slightly soggy earth stick to the pads of his paws. "Why are you being such a pussy suddenly?!"
He glanced over his shoulder at his two best friends, Takashi and Yosuke. Yosuke, a silver furred wolf with hazel eyes and a harsh tongue, was the son of the pack Beta male, or second in command. He and Suzaku pretty much grew up as brothers, spending most of their time together due to their fathers having to work together and coordinate to keep the pack safe. Though there were many times Suzaku found himself wanting to dig a hole to stick his own head in just to not have to listen to the chatterbox he did enjoy spending time with him when his other comrade, the sandy pelted Takashi, was around.
Unlike Yosuke, Takashi was a bit more of a mentalist. Takashi preferred to think before he spoke, so as to not insult his company or come off as a rude brute. Not only that but Takashi was also second strongest of the pack young, following a few steps behind the heels of Suzaku. Though Suzaku and Takashi had only known each other well for almost seven years, just pack mates and sparring partners until a demonstration ended in Takashi's defeat, Suzaku considered himself a bit closer with the silent one. Due to this a strange form of tension had assumed between the other two, which usually ended in them trying to rip each others faces off if Suzaku praised one but not the other. "It's not like you to be so high maintenance," Takashi quipped in calmly, scratching one ear casually with a back leg and looking at Suzaku with one curious blue eye. To be fair, Suzaku silently agreed, but something told him they were being watched very carefully.
Suddenly a dark blur pounced from the nearby shadow and charged right at Suzaku. Spotting the other creature the second it loomed out in to the night's golden glow Suzaku dodged in just enough time to miss getting his tail ripped off by a snapping jaw. Suzaku's haunches flew up and he growled lowly, crouching down so that the fur on his lower belly barely brushed the dew covered grass below. "Jesus, Joseph and Mary!" Yosuke yelled back from the water, having not seen the newcomer until Suzaku narrowly missed his attack.
Suzaku blinked suddenly, eyes double checking the person before him. It was another wolf, fur a similar brown color as his own, but with eyes a hue more akin to coffee. "Master Todo, what are you doing here?" Suzaku asked with complete surprised, tail and head both cocking to the right. Takashi and Yosuke came bolting out of the cool spring, shaking and watching the other two wolves as they stared at one another, one confused and the other aggravated.
"You three are holding up the entire ceremony with your little shenanigans. Lady Kururugi's frantically worried you've been nabbed by Slayers," He scolded in his deep, harsh tone. At the thought of his mother going batty with panic and fear because he felt like goofing off caused Suzaku to feel shame and guilt cloud over his head. His ears and tail went slack, an obvious sign of his inner emotions. Yosuke scoffed, rewarding him with the attention of three pairs of eyes.
"What's the big deal? Nobody's even told us what the hell this ceremony is for," He barked carelessly. Suzaku growled a bit in his throat, a deep sound that only Todo and Takashi paid any mind to. They both knew it was a sign that if Yosuke didn't act like he was taught he'd be getting a through lashing from the other male, one that they both knew would only lead to sever trouble for the arrogant teen. Todo stood casually, clearing his throat to catch the attention again.
"The ceremony is for you to go find your Partners," All three boys gawked and went slack jawed at this news. Finding their Partner was what they'd trained and worked for every day! Yosuke let out a loud cheer and Takashi blinked, forcing the joy he felt from showing too much. Suzaku whimpered a bit, only feeling that much worse. This was the last day he and the other newcomers would be spending with the pack for a long time and instead of spending time with his mother here he was, worrying her and goofing off with his friends like always. He took off running abruptly, heading back toward the pack grounds as fast as he could. The wind blowing through his fur and causing his eyes to sting and water a bit only aided in spurring him forward.
"He's such a fucking Momma's boy," Yosuke spat with slight annoyance, glaring at the fading blur of his friend. Todo scoffed to himself before turning and beginning a some what lazy trot after the young prince wolf. Takashi looked at Yosuke with unconcealed disgust before shaking his head and jogging to catch up with their teacher. Yosuke blinked a few times, confusion and frustration etched clearly on his furry face. "What?!" He snapped indignantly before chasing after the others begrudgingly.
…
The torches were lit. Suzaku could smell the smoke, the light scent of burning oak and a faint hint of sage, before he saw the large clumping together of multi colored pelts. He skidded to a stop, panting and ignoring the stinging from rocks and small twigs digging in to his soft paws, as all faces turned to gaze at him. A few were annoyed, some thankful, others indifferent. "Suzaku!" The familiar voice of his mother called. He looked up just in time for her to come to a stop right before him. He had gotten his appearance, his eyes and fur and speed, from her, after all. She was the only person who could effectively sneak up on him. He smiled apologetically at her frantic, questioning gaze.
"Mother," He stated softly, gently brushing their muzzles against one another's, as was the custom greeting for family and close friends. After the small exchange was done with she wrestled him to the guard, jade spheres scouring every inch of him for any marks and her nose sniffing about for any trace metallic scent. Under his fur his entire face turned bright red as a few of the onlookers snickered and laughed. Only puppies needed their mother's to treat them like that! "Mother, I'm fine!" He whined loudly as he jolted up right. She blinked, a little startled by her son's speed, then narrowed her eyes a bit at him. She nipped him right on the cheek, causing him to yelp from surprise and stare at her.
"Suzaku Kururugi, what the hell were you thinking?!" She cried angrily. The relief at her son being found, though, had crept in to her voice and made her rage a little half hearted sounding. Suzaku blinked then smiled, eyes softening to a slightly lighter green.
"Calm down, Lady Kururugi," Todo stated calmly as he walked up behind them, "he did not realize he was this late." Lady Kururugi glared harshly at Todo, shifting her rage from her offspring to the male close at hand.
"Calm down, you dare tell me?! You have some nerve, Sir Todo! You were the one assigned to make sure none of them ran off, weren't you?! Perhaps your age is finally beginning to catch up with you!" She snapped bitterly. Todo flushed a crimson hue under his coat, glaring at the sneering female before him. A few of the men were laughing in the back while some of the other women stepped forward, standing beside their Alpha's words. Todo silently cursed Lord Kururugi's smug mate and simply chalked it down mentally as another reason he didn't plan on settling down any time soon.
Suzaku gently nuzzled his cheek against his mother's, an affectionate gesture from his childhood. She blinked a bit and looked at his face, ears and tail down while a smile worming with nervousness covered his features. "Actually, Mother, it isn't Master Todo's fault. You see, what happened was Yosuke knocked him out and while he was out we snuck off," He trailed with a nervous chuckle just as his two friends made their grand entrance. All eyes shifted to them as Takashi slunk to Suzaku's side guiltily and Yosuke released a long slur of curses.
A slightly larger white wolf suddenly came barreling out of the heard, knocking a few pups over in crying heaps and ignoring the barking mothers. A long, haggard mark went from just above his right eye and curved down, following his face until the tip of the opposite cheek. It was the Beta male, Yosuke's father, Lord Raiga. Yosuke immediately shut his mouth, ears and tail falling as did his entire form. His belly was touching the ground and he looked up fearfully. Raiga's cold onyx eyes hardened on him, turning to stone in their sockets. "Are you completely fucking daft?! It's this kind of tom foolery that killed your mother, you ungrateful mutt!" He snapped and all three boys physically flinched. Suzaku remembered that day so well, the day they ran off to explore and were found by Slayers. If not for Lady Kururugi and Lady Kanna, Yosuke's late mother, the trio would not be here today. Suzaku specifically remembered how fearful he'd been when they returned, their mothers bleeding from severe injuries. His mother had survived but Yosuke's, unfortunately, was not as lucky.
"Raiga, you have made your point," Lady Kururugi stated smoothly, stepping between the father and son. Suzaku smiled warmly at his mother's courage while Yosuke stared at her with surprise and Raiga glared at her. She met his glare. "They're still just children. They have not encountered as many battles as the rest of us." Raiga scoffed at her lightly.
"They also haven't killed their own Partners!" He snapped at her vehemently and she froze. Cries erupted from the rest of the pack, calling Raiga multiple insulting names. Suzaku growled, fury painting on his face as his mother stared in horror at the larger wolf. A sinister smirk came to the man's features and he leaned a little closer. "You always say you did the right thing but did you really? Was killing your Partner really the right choice?" He mocked softly and she was shaken. Suddenly, in a quick blur, Suzaku ran head first in to the other male's side, sending him tumbling away from his mother. Suzaku growled lowly, snapping his jaw at the slightly dazed male.
"You keep your mouth shut! My mother saved us all from a tragedy!" Suzaku snapped, his rage clear and fangs bared. His father had told him what transpired, about how his mother's Partner went mad with power and killed an entire clan of wolves just for kicks. If his mother hadn't made that painful decision they all would have been wiped out by the traitorous human.
Raiga glared at the two Kururugi's before scoffing and returning to the group. The others hackled him as he passed, insulting him for daring to hurt their leader's mate. Suzaku shifted to his mother, looking at her worriedly. She looked at him and gave a weak smile, her eyes softened with her newly inflicted hurt. He whimpered softly, the sound almost identical to a pup, and gently licked her face. She smiled a bit more and a small giggling sound came from her. He smiled as well and stopped, thankful she was again herself. She glanced back at Yosuke, who watched them with an almost jealous look, before calmly walking back to the rest of the group. Suzaku followed, Yosuke and Takashi close behind.
Once they were merged with the rest of the crowd the leader, the Alpha male, stood before them on a small podium of stone. Suzaku took a deep breath, calming all the different emotions bubbling inside him, as his determination returned to his face. He was about to find his Partner, as ordained for all wolves, and his father was the one who'd be explaining it. His ears sat up erect, eagerly awaiting his father's words.
"Today, the pups we've raised are finally making their way to the outside world, to find their Partners and help us regain our rightful place," He began, his voice full of pride and hope. Suzaku smiled a bit at the way his father looked at him tenderly, if only for a moment, before again looking at the crowd as a whole. "With this comes danger, for both our children and our pack as a whole. Some of your Partners are cold people, people who will turn you over to Slayers in the blink of an eye for a cash prize, but do not waver. Try persuasion, try kindness, try everything we've taught you. Some of you will succeed and gain your Partners trust and affection. Others of you will have to kill your Partners to assure the safety of us all. That will be hard. Others of you will enter in to the lives of Partners who know nothing of their lineage. Do not be discouraged but be thankful. This means they will be more open, more willing to trust you and walk beside you. And a very few of you will find Partners fully awakened to their prowess and eager to your arrival. Today will be a day of trials, of tears, of joy and of decision. I am certain you will all make us proud." Genbu stated with a serene smile in place. He then threw his head back and howled to the moon, singing a prayer that all the young be safe. The other parents and adults joined in, their voices harmonizing in a chorus so beautiful it reduced any who heard it to tears. Suzaku smiled at this, pride swelling a bit more in his chest. When Genbu fell silent the others did at the same instance, as if they were all of one conscious. "Those of you that are going on the Search will be given your Partners scent and then it is up to you to locate them through that."
After his speech Genbu wandered off by himself as he always did. No one halted or stalled him, knowing better than that. He only listened to his mate and son when he was like this, when he was deep in thought. But they also knew there were times a man needed to think as a man, with no other company but himself and the moon above. Suzaku fell in line with the others, watching his father's retreat with only a small hint of longing.
Todo walked up, transformed from wolf to human, and watched them all. He nodded, counting to make sure all were present, before looking at them. "I will be handing out the articles that carry your Partners scent. I shall also tell you their names and ages so that you can make sure you find the right person. Humans of the same blood carry the same scent," He explained in his usually calm yet commanding voice. His features softened a bit, a small smile coming to his lips and the gleam of it touching his dark eyes. "I am proud of all of you for striving to be the powerful young men and women you've become." The teens all whooped and cheered at the praise, bumping sides and head butting one another jokingly to share and show their joy.
Suzaku watched and listened with interest as Todo went down the line of young teens. Suzaku had ended up at the end, simply because Yosuke was an ass who cut and he didn't want to ask Takashi to move aside. He watched the faces each of his pack mates made; some looked pleased, others made faces as if they'd just been sprayed by a frightened skunk, and others seemed indifferent. One girl had jolted upright, eyes wide, and had declared in sheer disgust, "My Partner smells like popcorn butter?!" They all had a laugh as she fumed, embarrassed that she'd made the remark aloud. Even Suzaku and Takashi, usually so polite and restricted, were rolling with laughter.
When it finally came to him Suzaku felt a wave of nervous nausea and a sudden dizzying spell. He remained upright, keeping everything he'd been trained and taught on display, as Todo held a small folded handkerchief between two fingers. "Suzaku Kururugi, your Partner's name is Lelouch Lamperogue and he's a seventeen year old," He stated as he had for the others. Suzaku blinked, the name imprinting itself in his mind. The last name seemed vaguely familiar but he could seem to drag up a specific memory to go along with it. He nodded and ignored the other wolves who now murmured, confused as to why Suzaku's Partner didn't have a Japanese name like the rest of them. Todo calmly unfolded the handkerchief and held it out by one of it's corners to the young male. Suzaku gently leaned forward, breathing in the scent slowly and calmly.
Suzaku was stunned by the smell. At first it simply smelt like lavender with a small hint of violets and a splash of roses but there were other mingling scents. The first other smell he caught was of honey and a few spices humans were found of using for cooking. Following that was a lingering swirl of burning sage and hickory, both smells comforting and familiar to Suzaku's well trained nose. After that he caught what he guessed was sweat, which had a more intoxicating note to it than most bodily fluids he'd been forced to inhale, and a dash of the coppery, metallic essence of blood. He blinked a few times, making sure to add all the aromas in to a little package in his sensitive nose before nodding at Todo. The older male nodded and, as he had with the others, tied the item around Suzaku's left paw. "These handkerchiefs were specifically designed so that only the scent of your Partner will remain on it. Even if you forget your Partner's smell just reference your handkerchief. Good luck to you all." Todo gave his final lecture before watching his students disappear in the direction of their Partners smell, rushing off to face their destinies.
…
Suzaku panted heavily, groaning softly as he slowed from a full blown run to a light jog. The black ground the humans made, he remembered Todo had called it asphalt, made the pads of his paws throb and helped little pebbles embed themselves under his nails. He whimpered, lifting his muzzle to the air and searching for his Partners scent, finding that only a faint shadow of it was present here. But another scent, much thicker and more potent, crawled in to his senses. The smell of blood, the bitterness of tears and the spice of death all mixed in to one darkly seductive perfume. It was the smell of a vengeful spirit lurking about in the world of the living. He growled lowly, knowing that this creature was probably using its malice to harm innocent people. He locked on to the smell, darting after it and forgetting that he had a mission.
As he ran Suzaku didn't realize that his handkerchief was loosening bit by bit, barely clinging to his might leg.
…
Suzaku ended up at what he knew to be a school. He sniffed about, looking for any means of entry to the peculiar building where the apparition was residing. His ears caught another heartbeat on the other side of the building followed by the soft jingling of a few objects clinking against one another. He padded over, peeking over the side of the building before approaching any more.
He was surprised to see it was a figure shrouded in a dark cape with a small hood drawn over the face and head. A white quiver filled with multiple arrows and a matching bow, coated in intricate markings, resided on the strangers back and left shoulder. His right and left hands were covered in what looked like black gloves. It was then Suzaku noticed the soft clanging noise he had heard was the keys on the key ring in the hooded figures left hand hitting each other as they tried to unlock the window they knelt before. Suzaku trotted up just as the lock clicked and the other creature readied to enter. Suddenly sensing his presence the hooded person faced him, letting out a small surprised noise upon sight of him. Using his agility to his advantage he tried to hop in the school before the person but was grabbed by them instead. He yelped in surprise before struggling with half his might, not wanting to hurt the other. "No, no! Bad dog!" The other snapped in an aggravated male voice. Suzaku, now equally aggravated by being called a dog, snapped his head back in to the others shoulder and hopped away with the greatest of ease, his handkerchief falling free and fluttering to the other male's feet.
Once inside Suzaku darted around, following the trail of the phantoms smell. He was grateful the doors were all open, for what ever reason, because he wasn't in the mood to barrel through them and have to later rip wooden splinters out of his flesh and fur. He literally jumped over the stairs, darting up to the third floor where the smell was coming from, without even getting a little fatigued. He skidded to a halt, leaving a few good gash marks in the freshly scrubbed and polished tile, as he reached the class the smell came from. He poked his head in wearily, looking for the little ghost that had earned his attention.
He saw her before she saw him. She sat on the teacher's desk, glaring out at the cabinet across the room from her. Dark ringlets in a hue of purple hung from her head, sagging gracelessly like wilted flowers. Her eyes watched the shadows, malice turning her golden gaze an even deeper shade. Freckles coated her apricot skin, making a long bridge from one cheek bone over her nose to the other. Suzaku then noticed she wore a peculiar goldenrod uniform with a dark blue skirt. Her arms were covered in strange, bubbling red marks, though, and Suzaku was a little repulsed by them. They bubbled, fizzled and popped, dotting the unmarked skin with the remnants of the oozing wound. Suzaku growled lowly and stepped forward. She jerked her head toward him and glared in boredom. "Just a stupid mutt," She mumbled bitterly. Again with calling him a dog! Suzaku could feel his blood boiling and the next thing he knew he pounced forward at the rueful ghost girl.
If only Todo and the others had taught Suzaku and the other rookies that the reason wolves were partnered with humans was because wolves could not touch a ghost without a blessed human placing a hex on it first. Suzaku passed right through her, the air sucked straight from his lungs by her scornful energy, and slammed in to the opposite wall instead. A few pictures fell away and shattered upon him, little bits of glass nicking him up. He whimpered and shook his head, ignoring the little burns from the various cuts, and tried to figure out where he'd gone wrong. He was supposed to be able to force ghosts to the other side, wasn't he? He looked up as she lifted herself, floating in the air.
She raised her arms, glaring at him coldly, and the shards of glass all around Suzaku flew up, retreating away from him a bit but pointed at him. "It'll end now. I'll kill them and I'll regain my light," She whispered, her arms beginning to drop. Suzaku shut his eyes tightly, waiting for the large shards of glass to pierce his skin and end his life but instead he heard the soft tinkling of the glass falling back to the ground. He opened his eyes and stared in sheer surprise as the ghost girl fell, an arrow jabbed through her shoulder and blood soaking the material of her top. Suzaku then saw his chance. He pounced up, hopping over the glass carelessly, and landed right on her. He pressed one paw to her throat and used the rest of his weight to keep her down. He growled lowly, baring his fangs, as the soft sound of approaching footsteps echoed in the room. The hooded figure knelt down, looking at the horror stricken face of the ghost girl.
"You need to rest now, Miss Fiona Welter. You are no longer permitted on this plane of existence," He stated in a smooth, soothing voice. She blinked, snapping from her daze, before glaring with teary eyes.
"They stole my light from me! They locked me in that cabinet as a joke and didn't let me out! They forced me to kill myself!" She shrieked in distress. The hooded figure shifted, stood, and walked away. He went to the door and flicked a switch. With a small clicking the white glow of the classroom lights flickered on. Suzaku winced for a moment but adjusted rather quickly. The girl blinked, looking around a few times, before she started to cry.
The hooded figure returned and knelt again. "Your light has been returned but you must go now," He stated in that same voice but with a bit more conviction. She looked at him tearfully before nodding and disappearing in small slivers of white shining light. Suzaku felt the cool tile touch his paws as she disappeared and watched as the arrow lightly clattered to the ground, free of any trace of her blood. The hooded figure reached out calmly and picked it up, placing it back amongst its brothers, and stood.
'He has powers, meaning he must be a blessed human. Whoever gets him is lucky to have him as a Partner; he's pretty good,' Suzaku mused with a bit of jealous to himself before he blinked and realization dawned on him. He looked at his left paw before he was gripped by panic. 'No! I lost the handkerchief with my Partner's scent on it!' He howled inside. The hooded figure looked over at the frantic wolf curiously.
"Are you looking for this? It fell off of you earlier when you passed me," He stated calmly, holding the missing item out to Suzaku. Emerald spheres lit up with hope again as he pressed his nose against it, remembering the scent in a second. He smiled and sat before his nose twitched. His Partner's scent was close by! He perked up and suddenly realized that this hooded figure, this strange hidden person before him, was the one! He had just laid a ghost to rest with his Partner without even realizing it!
"You're my Partner?!" He barked in sheer surprise, forgetting that humans couldn't speak in wolf tongue. The hooded figure tilted their head for a moment before tilting it up a bit in understanding.
"So you must be Suzaku Kururugi," He stated calmly, reaching up with one gloved hand and slowly pulling his hood back. Suzaku was too stunned that this person had understood him to give any form of agreement on his name. The dark hood fell back, revealing a set of calm amethyst spheres transfixed on the chocolate colored wolf. The eyes were set in a handsome pale face, the milky tone making the eyes a bit brighter. Midnight tresses fell in his eyes a little bit and gently trailed down , trimmed in a clean, proper and yet charming cut. He looked at Suzaku lazily, who was anything but that. "My name is Lelouch Lamperogue. It's a pleasure to meet you."
END
Thank you for all the lovely reviews you gave me! They warmed my heart~! The same rules apply here though; you review and I'll update. You give me nothing and I give you nothing. Well please review and hopefully I'll see you in the next chapter!