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 Seven: The Curtain Lifted
"And then I told him… What the hell is that?" A girl whispered, covering her mouth with one hand and leaning toward her companion. Seated calmly near a park bench was a rather large wolf. It had calm yet friendly emerald spheres looking around expectantly. It's coat was a shimmering and soft looking auburn shade. It's ears stood up erect as it looked around and it's cold black nose twitched as if searched for some scent. "It's cute, isn't it? Do you think it'd let me pet it?" She asked eagerly. The other girl stared at her in horror as she approached the lion sized canine.
The wolf shifted and met the newcomer's gaze curiously. "Wait, Mimi, don't touch it! It doesn't have a collar and it's really big and it could be rapid!" The other girl fretted. Her friend, now known as Mimi, merely giggled and kneeled down, not caring that her new capris would get a little dirty. She reached out and the wolf dipped it's head, inviting her to touch. The fur was indeed soft as silk under her fingers and she squealed at the feel. The other girl, now interested, stroked the wolf's head as well experimentally. A wagging tail and open panting smile were their response. The two girl's chattered like little chipmunks' with giddiness, adorning the chocolate colored wolf with affection. And then, after deciding they'd done enough of that waved good bye and went about their business.
"Humans are so easily amused," The wolf hummed lightly. It perked up suddenly when another figure took up the spot beside it and then grinned. "It's not like you to be late, Marianne." She chided teasingly. A serene smile spread to the other woman's red lips.
"My apologies, Rin," She stated with a soft giggle, one hand coming to cover her mouth in that coy way of hers, "or should I call you Lady Kururugi?" The other female laughed a bit and shook her head, standing and stretching her long limbs.
"I shall always be your Rin, Marianne," She stated in a kind yet sure voice. The other woman's smile became more graceful and she gently tucked a few strands of long ebony locks behind an ear. "Even now, with everything that has occurred between us, I can still remember the days we spent together as giggly little girls, dreaming dreams far too grand for us."
Marianne smiled again before they began walking. "Do not put it like that, Rin," She stated calmly while watching the passersby. They stared with wide eyes glazed with either horror or curiosity at her Partner. "Also, it appears you are attracting quite a bit of attention."
"Let them stare at me! I don't care in the least!" Rin laughed in response. More people stared at the small laughing bark she had released. To the dark haired woman that self assured, cocky laugh was a long missed sound. "And I don't mean to say that those dreams were beyond us but… considering how we've ended up…" Her voice lowered with sorrow as she trailed off. A glint of sadness sharpened the silvery blue eyes of the other woman. She let her fingers fiddle idly with the long skirt of her dress before looking back at her Partner.
"I understand why it all happened now, Rin, believe me. My only regret is that Lelouch and Nunnally have had to go on like this, forever hunted because of what they are," She stated softly, shifting her gaze to the building they approached. It was the final day of Ashford Academy's winter hotel and they were allowing people to talk to the two blessed humans and their werewolf Partners. "I do have to confess, though, that I think this may just be the step forward we need. I'm very grateful to the Ashford girl for thinking this up." Her eyes lit up a bit as they halted at the gates, watching as people came and went excitedly.
Rin looked up at her late Partner sideways before a small smile came to her face. "Shall I do what you asked of me?" She hummed lightly. The other's eyes shifted to her and she nodded, her most beautiful smile in place. "I'll let you know what I find out and if anything happens later." And then they parted, both disappearing but in different ways and directions.
…
Suzaku had noticed, almost immediately, the way Lelouch limped a bit as he walked. He had grinned with self satisfaction at the sight, making sure to muse with joy in silence for fear that the raven haired human would get on the defensive if he knew where his mind was. Lelouch sat down and bit back a groan as the auditorium began to fill with people. According to Milly, there Q&A panel had sold out after the second day of sparring matches. Lelouch and Euphy were to act as translators for Suzaku and Yosuke, who were currently both in wolf form. With a small yawn, still a bit fatigued from the previous night's events, the auburn coated wolf rested his large head in Lelouch's lap. He and Euphy were sitting at the edge of the stage, their legs dangling over the side, and each had a microphone. There was a good ten feet between them. "Still tired?" He heard his Partner's soft voice tease while one hand scratched behind a furry ear. Now this was amazing, second only to the pleasure he'd felt that night.
"I'm just resting my eyes, don't worry," Suzaku said with another yawn. He blinked sleepily and nuzzled closer to the other's midriff. "I'm still just as alert and totally boss as usual." He opened his eyes when he heard Lelouch snickering, covering his mouth with his other hand.
"Did you seriously just say 'boss'? That's so old school," The violet eyed male laughed lightly, watching as Suzaku jerked up and stiffened. The young wolf always did that when he was blushing under all that soft, curly brown fur. He waved his other hand, the one that had previously been soothing the young wolf, while its match remained over his mouth. "Sorry, sorry. Just pretend I didn't say anything." He giggled out. Suzaku let out a small whining growl and settled back down, using Lelouch's thighs as a pillow.
Finally Milly stepped out on the stage, Vladimir curled around her neck happily. "Hello everybody!" She giggled in to the microphone she held. She was answered by a festive and loud chorus of celebratory cheers. "Now I know you don't want to hear me prattle on all day so let's just get right down to business! Please enjoy!" She stated before darting back stage and looking at the dishwater blond setting up video, sound and such for a small camera set up at the back of the auditorium. "Is it going to work, Diethard?" She asked curiously while one hand stroked the cooing griffin's head.
He gave her a triumphant smirk. "Everything's perfectly placed. The channel we set up is broadcasting plus the visual and audio are at their best," He explained calmly, leaning back a bit in his seat. The blond nodded. Considering how many people wanted to see this panel, both guests at the school and people who had heard of it, Milly used the grand old Ashford family charm to convince Diethard, the public image coordinator of the H.A.W.W., to come here from his work in Britain to assure this all went over flawlessly. The mention of Lelouch speaking with his Partner was all it took, much to her delight. And now it was set so that all televisions in Ashford Academy could channel this interview. All the guests were watching in their rooms and the people who were intrigued from the rumors were all happily seated in the auditorium. Hell, according to Rivalz at the front desk, a large sum of people had paid the amount needed for a ticket just so they could lounge in the lobby to watch the presentation on the large screen there! Milly was proud that they'd accepted the money and also that, for today at least, she'd not have to listen to Shirley and Rivalz whining about having to watch the news or weather channel all day long.
"Excellent. Just make sure that it stays this way," She hummed happily, stroking the purring Vladimir's head. She turned her attention back to the stage for a moment before a soft whining noise caught her ear. She glanced over and smiled a bit at a set of emerald tinted eyes in the shadows of the stage wings. "Also, please inform Rivalz to ready some tea for me, a guest, and when they are ready, Suzaku and Lelouch. We have an honored guest in our midst." She hummed merrily before walking off, the owner of the eyes following after her.
…
Lelouch cleared his throat with a surprising delicacy. "Hello everyone, and thank you for coming today. We are delighted to help clear up any questions you may have involving us and our Partners," He stated with a charming smile. A few girls swooned at the sight. "Now, who would like to ask their question first?" Almost half the hands in the auditorium flew up. Lelouch glanced around, Gazing carefully, and spotted an eager little girl, hair in copper colored pigtails and brown eyes alive with hope, standing on her sit with little arm flailing about. He pointed to her, she indicated herself curiously, and he smiled. "Yes, little girl, I mean you." He stated politely.
"What is his name?" She asked loudly. Her little voice bounced off the walls, being heard by all. Lelouch gently stroked Suzaku's head and chuckled. He opened one eye lazily at the question and gazed at him curiously.
"My Partners name is Suzaku and Euphemia's is called Yosuke," He stated, gesturing to the calmly seated silver wolf with his other hand. Yosuke snarled lowly at him, fangs bared and fur standing up a bit. He quickly returned his hand to himself and chuckled. "It appears Yosuke doesn't like me very much." The crowd laughed lightly while Euphy set to calming the now enraged wolf. Suzaku sat up a bit, snapping out of his sleepy daze at the threat to Lelouch.
Euphy picked up her own microphone. "I'll answer the next one," She stated lightly. She indicated a man wearing a red stripped shirt and overalls. "Yes?"
"How exactly does a Partnership work?" He asked. Euphy blinked slowly, not understanding. Her father had never taught her of this but when Yosuke had arrived, declaring his undying servitude to her, her father told her to accept. He said having a werewolf who knew the woods well would be quite useful should the wolves try to shield Lelouch in their villages. From what Euphemia knew Yosuke was just supposed to follow her orders no matter what. And that would be the cause of the revolution.
"A Partnership works like a mutual sharing system," Lelouch stated before Euphemia could. She looked at him, alarmed, but stayed quiet. A low growl had begun to rumble deep in Yosuke's throat. "When a blessed human and werewolf find one another and become Partners they find their other half. If blessed humans don't use their power to hex a ghost than a werewolf can't wound the ghost. But in that same respect blessed humans cannot always exorcise an enraged spirit without a werewolf's power of persuasion. Also, the two become linked through their energy. Sometimes, if there's at least a certain amount of distance a werewolf can tap in to their Partner's head and see through their human's eyes. And, of course, vice a versa." Suzaku blinked, surprised at this. Not even he knew that a few of those things were possible. "Without werewolves ghosts would bring unholy calamities upon humanity. And if there were no blessed humans werewolves would be left unable to fulfill their duties. That's why the H.A.W.W. exists; to protect the natural balance and order of things." As Lelouch said the end, his words filled with strength and determination, he looked at Euphy side ways. She looked away.
"What happens to a werewolf's clothes when they change?" One boy cried from the back. It was too dark and too far back for Lelouch or Euphy to see the strange. Suzaku barked something out lightly and waited for Lelouch's translation.
"Unless the werewolf takes them off they pretty much explode," Lelouch stated calmly. A few people gasped in surprise and disgust while other laughed for joy or to cover up embarrassment. "That's why a werewolf strips down before changing forms. It'd be a waste of money to continuously destroy their outfits, even if it was for the greater good." And from there on Lelouch and Suzaku basically answered every question, while Euphy and Yosuke were left to sweat under the spot lights.
…
After the questions were done Suzaku changed back to a human, got dressed and then went with Lelouch to the Stuco room. According to Lelouch, Milly had left a message for them to join her and a very special guest for a cup of afternoon tea. As they walked Cici floated beside them, watching them with a devious glint in her eyes and an all-knowing smirk on her lips. It made the raven haired male blush while it just got on the brunette's nerves. As the door was pushed open by Lelouch a familiar scent struck the young wolf hard in the face with memories.
Seated at the table with Milly, clad in a long pale blue dress with long sleeves, was a petite young woman. Her hair was a chestnut hue and curled down along her back, resting by the edge of her shoulder blades. Her eyes were a lively dark green and shimmered kindly as she giggled, a smile helping her pretty face look great. She turned her attention to the door, blinked as her gaze landed on the gawking curly haired boy, and then softened affectionately. Her smile became more sincere, more motherly. "Hello Suzaku," She stated cheerfully in her bell like voice. In seconds the young man's face was burrowed in to his mother's lap while she just smiled, letting her right hand slip through his short hair. He had missed his mother so much!
"Mother, it's been so long," He whispered softly in to the cotton of her skirt. He heard her giggle and a long drawn out sigh come from his Partner as said male took a seat beside Milly and across from them. He lifted his head and looked at his mother and then Lelouch curiously.
"Have you been torturing my son, Lelouch?" His mother asked teasingly, looking at the light hearted amethyst spheres across from her. The other merely chuckled as he picked up the small teapot, filling a cup placed in front of his spot.
"I've tried to avoid corrupting him too much. I've not done anything you'd protest over," He stated cheekily, causing Lady Kururugi to laugh out loud. Suzaku smiled and stood, taking the seat up beside his mother. He was glad to see that she and Lelouch got along.
"Well then my poor son is doomed! Between the two of us his poor gullible nature will be tarnished!" She cheered whiel Lelouch chuckled and nodded in agreement. Milly smiled at the light exchange.
"So you two already knew each other?" She asked curiously. The little fit of joy and laughter began to die down, slowly draining from Milly's question. The two looked at each other awkwardly and then down at the table, sparking concern from the other two parties present.
Lady Kururugi lightly cleared her throat, looking to the side nervously. "Yes, well, we do know one another decently well. After all, Lelouch's mother was my Partner when I was younger," She forced out, the strain of admitting it clear in her tone. The pale young boy winced a bit at this and his fists clenched tightly. Suzaku and Milly stared, wide eyed, between the two of them.
"You mean that the Partner you had to kill… Mother, how long have you known that Lelouch and I were to be Partners?" Suzaku pressed softly, too stunned to speak any louder. Was it possible that his mother had known all along that he was destined to be by Lelouch's side? Why hadn't they told him sooner or let them meet? Wouldn't that make them better comrade, help them fight together?
"Suzaku, you and Lelouch are destined for greatness," She began slowly, looking at him seriously. He met her gaze, not showing any amount of fear or curiosity, with his usual stubborn determination. "You two are the only Partnership that will be able to save all mythical creatures and return the world to what it was. We are to be integrated with humans, living in a civilization where all are equal and can work together. We knew this when the two of you were born but there in which lies the trouble." She stated, her voice getting darker and eyes narrowing as she spoke the last sentence. She closed her eyes, fell silent for a while, and then looking stern again. "You see, Charles is desperate to kill all mythical creatures in the world. He wanted to corrupt Lelouch when he was young. He only needs one of you to destroy everything which is why he wants to kill you and recapture Lelouch. No matter what happens, Suzaku, you must stay alive and keep both of you safe."
Lelouch stood suddenly. "I baked a cake about two days ago. How about I bring over some plates and we enjoy a little treat?" He asked with a small hopeful smile. Suzaku gave him a bright smile and nod, thankful at Lelouch's eagerness to change the conversation. The black haired male nodded as well. "I'll be right back then."
…
It wasn't a long walk down the stairs and across the hall to the club houses' kitchen. Lelouch opened the fridge calmly, finding the baked good easily and pulling it out. He set it on the table, looking it up and down once to make sure it was perfect. It was a circular shaped cake in a see through glass case, lightly coated in a white frosting. It was simply but it was the simplicity of the yellow cake that made Lelouch like making it. He turned around and went toward the cabinet where the plates were. He perked up when he heard a light tapping noise, implying something was behind him. "Suzaku, I don't need help with this," He began with a small chuckle before turning and having the plates violently swatted out of his hands. The shattered loudly on the cold tile floor and blood dripped down from long and deep gashes on the blessed human's left hand. Slowly violet eyes shifted to lock with furious hazel ones. His face relaxed from the momentary panic to a cool and collected mask. "I was expecting this from you but not this soon. Not very smart to reveal yourself this early on, is it?" He asked flatly.
"Shut up! I'm doing this to help Euphemia!" He snarled before pouncing at the human. Lelouch threw one arm in front of his head, making sure the others jaw clamped down on his arm instead of his face. It was a vice grip and Lelouch had to bit his lower lip tightly to keep from crying out. "Just let me take you out. If I can get you weak enough to move around easily I can keep Euphy safe."
"What do you mean by that?" Lelouch grounded out lowly. A loud snarling emitted from the silver wolf latched on to him.
"If she brings you back Lord Charles will appreciate her for everything she's done for him. She deserves to be praised for all her hard work," He snapped bitterly, keeping his grasp on the raven haired boy's arm.
A small drop of blood plopped lightly above Lelouch's left eye, causing him to wince and utter a small curse. His eye caught movement and he quickly came up with five different plans, two involving keeping Yosuke from leaving and the other three involving the use of a kitchen utensil to temporarily stun his opponent. "What do you mean by that?" He growled lowly, closing his eyes into a dagger sharp glare. The other didn't seem intimidated by the look.
"Lord Charles has promised that whichever child was able to kill Suzaku and capture you would be given their own freedom from his control. Euphy deserves that freedom!" Yosuke added emphasis to the last sentence by biting harder. Lelouch let out a small gasp. He could feel the jagged fangs beginning to drill in to the bone.
"That bastard is nothing more than a liar and a cheat! He's tricked you and Euphemia! Once he has me he'll simply lock her up and have you executed!" Lelouch declared in a tone mixed with rage and a small bit of sympathy. The male wolf was about to say something else when a large mass of brown fur rammed right in to his side, knocking him across the floor and forcing him to release his grip on the blessed human. "Thanks." Lelouch panted, dragging the bloodied and throbbing arm to himself as Milly and Lady Kururugi ran over. Cici, floating a few feet from the dark brown werewolf's side, looked at the gawking sliver.
"Yosuke, you have betrayed me! Have you forgotten who you are or what those Slayers did to your mother?! Have you gone insane?!" Suzaku cried, voice desperate and confused. The addressed male simply stood back up and licked his chops, a devilish smirk coming to his lips.
"His blood tastes so good, Suzaku," He drawled on the word 'so' as if he were a girl gushing over how attractive her crush was. The emerald eyed wolf's rage flared higher and ran at the other, fangs bared in threat. "Come and get it, twerp." Yosuke mumbled to himself as he stood, readying for the blow.
"Stop!" A loud, female voice suddenly screamed, causing all to stop and turn to her. Euphemia stood there, hair tied up in a ponytail and purple eyes alive with determination and pride. She looked at Yosuke sternly and with a final glare at the wolf prince he retreated to her side, sitting beside her. She turned her attention to Lelouch now. "We were not sent to kill anyone yet, if that's what you think. Father asked us to simply check in and see how you were. We have completed our mission and we shall now be taking our leave of this place. Or, rather, we shall take a temporary leave of here. We will be back and when we return, Lelouch, all façades shall be dissolved."
Lelouch hide the pain he felt from showing on his face. "He's lying to you, Euphemia. No matter what you do he'll always want to have control over all of us. He thinks that since we are his children we should obey no matter what. You'll always be nothing more than a possession to him. He'll always force you to stay," He stated strictly, meeting her gaze. Upon hearing his words her eyes softened a bit and a rueful smile came to her lips. He blinked, stunned at this sudden change in personality.
"I'll do what I like, Lelouch, and it is no concern of yours," She stated before turning and beginning to walk off. Yosuke stood and looked at his friend.
"Next time we meet, Suzaku," He began slowly while his eyes narrowed dangerously, "I'm going to rip open your throat." And then he followed Euphy faithfully. Suzaku watched him go before turning his attention to his own Partner, lightly licking a small blot of blood from a pale cheek while whining softly. A small smile tugged at Lelouch's lips and he reached up with his good hand and gently ran his fingers over the top of Suzaku's furry head soothingly. It was Suzaku's unspoken apology and Lelouch's unspoken forgiveness.
…
Cici and Lady Kururugi looked at one another. Lelouch, Suzaku and Milly had left the room to treat the gash marks now marring the young man's arm. "It's been a long time, Rin," Cici drawled with deliberate slowness. She knew what the alpha female was going to say and she was afraid to hear it. Even if she knew the other woman was right, even though she knew it was only fair, she didn't want to accept it. Why should she let her heart be broken again just because it was the right thing to do?
"It has and I wish I wasn't here for the reason I am," Rin agreed calmly, gently sitting on the kitchen table. Cici glared at her a bit. It was that casual, easygoing nature that had always rubbed the amber eyed ghost the wrong way. It even bothered her with the female wolf's offspring. "You know what will happen if you remain here too much longer, Cici." Her voice was a low, warning hiss.
"Of course I know what will happen," She snapped back angrily, hugging herself tightly as she tried to fight back the pain blossoming in her chest. The spot where her heart should have been, where it used to be, felt even colder than it usually did. She held herself in an attempt to feel the warmth of her life, the warmth of blood rushing in her veins, but she knew it would never be. "I don't want to go, Rin. I… I've found someone I really like here." She mumbled, a brief image of Kallen flashing in her head.
Rin looked down at the tiled floor, noticing the small crimson puddle that had formed from Lelouch's wound. She got up, got herself a few paper towels, and began cleaning it up. "If you don't move on soon, Cici, your soul will be trapped here forever. You've been playing guardian for long enough," She said simply as she wiped up every last trace of the red fluid previously spoiling the tidy kitchen. If Lelouch was anything like Marianne the slightest imperfection would drive him to a bitch fit. She saw it her duty, as a mother, to help protect Suzaku from any scolding he might receive for the small mess. She looked over again at the ghost with lime green hair.
"If Marianne was still here she wouldn't be telling me I had to move on," Cici mumbled bitterly, not looking at the other female. Rin twitched a bit but then clenched her fists and hardened herself. She stood, tossed the ruined paper towels in the nearby trash can and looked at the ghost in an almost hateful way.
"If Marianne was still here you'd have an arrow in your shoulder and we'd be forcing you to go on to the next life," She stated in a harsh, unforgiving tone. The other jerked up, golden spheres wide in horror, at the other's words. She then looked down sadly. "Tomorrow you will say your goodbyes and go on to the after life." Rin then turned and walked away, forcing her poker face to stay in place.
And for the first time in years Cici resented the fact that ghosts couldn't really cry.
END
Sorry if it's a little short; I'm trying to move the plot along without making it seem too rushed. And now Yosuke's betrayed Suzaku! But for what reason? Only because Euphy's his Partner? You'll have to wait and see how it all turns out! Review and I'll answer all your questions!