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 Ten: Inner Conflicts and Heartache
Lelouch stared down at the mound of dirt now being recovered by his Partner. He had taken Clovis' life to protect his own and Suzaku's but still an uneasiness squirmed in his stomach. "Suzaku," He whispered weakly, ignoring the stiffness in his clothes from the dried blood on his uniform as he lifted his head to look up. The other glanced over, emerald eyes large with concern and curiosity, and Lelouch had the urge to look away. He felt so filthy, so revolting, with the knowledge tucked in the back of his mind. He needed to tell Suzaku what he learned. He was obligated to, by more than just the bond of Partnership. "We need to go see your pack. There's something important I need to make known."
Suzaku's eyes softened a bit on the raven haired male. "Don't worry, Lelouch. The pack security has been higher than usual since my mom went home. We have nothing to be worried about," He cooed soothingly. Lelouch shook his head and whimpered lightly. They weren't safe any more. No, that wasn't right; they weren't safe from the beginning. The pack's sense of safety, of protection, was all just a big lie.
"No, Suzaku, that's not it," He argued, still shaking his head. He closed his eyes tightly, debating. What good would come from telling Suzaku the truth? Was the pain it would cause worth it all? "I know something bad. If we don't go there soon they could all be dead."
"What do you mean?" Suzaku sighed, deciding to humor the blessed human. He had a hunch that Lelouch wasn't going to let it go until he at least heard him out. Lelouch looked up, an almost guilty gleam in his large amethyst eyes. This made Suzaku nervous. That look proved to him that what Lelouch had been saying, that this was a big deal, had been completely honest. "Let's get home and get you showered and changed first, okay? The member's of the pack will freak out if you smell so heavily of blood, even if it's the blood of a Slayer." He coaxed, grabbing the paler boy's wrist and basically dragging him back toward the clubhouse. He needed the time to sort out what his next plan of action was.
…
"Don't scratch at the eye patch, Yosuke," She chided softly to the lightly growling wolf pawing at a white patch wrapped snugly around his head. He perked up, his one visible eye gleaming blankly. She tried not to stare too long at his face. If she did he'd get angry, claiming she was wondering how she got saddled with a loser Partner like him. She instead shifted her attention to polishing the cold heavy gun in her hands. She remembered what her mission was, now that it had been concluded that Clovis was indeed dead.
"So we just have to go and kill pussy little Suzaku? No problem," Yosuke scoffed, ignoring her warning and again scratching at the patch. He growled when a stinging sensation came from his recently ruined eye and shoved his paw in to the ground, digging it in to the flooring. His nails scrapped on the nails, making marks in the tile.
"It's not that easy, Yosuke," She stated gently as she put the gun, fully loaded and on safety, back in the holster attached to her thigh. She then glanced back over at him again and sighed lightly. "Father said to make sure not to harm Lelouch and get away while leaving Suzaku dead behind. And we have to make sure he is not taking any more breath when we leave. We can't risk him living and making it back to the pack or coming after us himself."
Yosuke scoffed. "All you have to do is threaten the human's safety and wimpy puppy Suzaku will surrender his life more than willingly. It's not all that hard. He's too soft to be alpha or even a Partner worthy werewolf," He laughed mockingly, rolling his visible eye and shaking his head. To think his childhood friend was such a weakling, so pathetic. At one time Suzaku had been proud, had been strong and noble and deserving of the right to rule the pack. And now he was a pushover, a dirty human-loving mongrel not deserving of the title of alpha. He was an embarrassment to their entire race.
"Either way this has to be executed perfectly," She stated sternly. He sighed and looked at her sadly. How could she not see it? How could she not realize they were being used and she would never receive the reward her father promised? He wanted to yell at her and argue and fight for her to see, to understand, to listen to him and give his options a chance. All that mattered was to follow her father's orders and make sure it is "executed perfectly" to appease him. It was almost as pathetic as Suzaku, though it was more logical in Euphemia's case.
"So you really think they're going to head out tonight to go see the pack about what Clovis may or may not have spilled to Lelouch? I mean, how is he so sure Lelouch even believe the little weasel?" He growled lowly as Euphemia opened the door and they began walking the long stone path out to the entrance.
"You shouldn't speak ill of the dead," She chided softly, looking around with suspicion. If Lelouch and Suzaku had used the werewolf chorus line, the songs they sang to deliver news from miles apart, there might be a few packs of enraged beasts waiting around in the shadows for them. They were going to have to be even more cautious than ever, considering the wolves and Yosuke's injured eye and Lelouch's skill in combat, and she didn't like how the odds were stacked against them.
"I'll speak however the Hell I want about him! I'm actually glad the little human brat killed him! At least he won't be a hindrance to us in the future!" He snapped back vehemently, visible hazel eye bubbling with rage. When Yosuke first arrived tension between them was high and after Clovis blinding the male wolf things only got worse. Of course Yosuke was happy he died! Euphy assumed his only regret was that Yosuke himself hadn't been the one to end the blonde's life.
"Hold in your grudges and wait until we've done our mission. Then you can gripe and whine all you'd like," She sighed, finding herself annoyed with his attitude. After all, Euphy had been raised as a rich girl and knew that commoner's complaining would just lead to trouble for higher up people like her.
…
Immediately after changing outfits Lelouch and Suzaku took off. Lelouch left a message with Rakshata, informing her of their temporary absence and the reason, while Suzaku paced nervously. How could his father even think of trading pack safety to Charles Britannia for a bunch of useless money?! What was a werewolf going to do with that money anyway?! It was completely useless to a creature that did not live in the world where the currency was accepted.
"That doesn't make sense! Father would never do such a thing!" Suzaku panted as they ran. Lelouch nearly slipped and skidded to a stop, grabbing a tree branch and looking at Suzaku with wide, slightly angry violet orbs.
"Are you saying you don't trust me?! Suzaku, I know what I heard!" He snapped angrily, grip on the branch tightening.
"I'm not saying I don't trust you, Lelouch. It's Clovis I don't trust. What if he lied just to trick us so their real mission could be done?" He argued calmly, trotting over with his eyes ablaze with distrust. A sharp pang jolted the ebony locked boy but he kept it from showing.
"Clovis was many things but his ability to lie was nonexistent unless it benefitted him alone. If it was something like this there'd only be group profit. Clovis hated sharing any sort of reward or glory. It was either all his or no ones at all," He explained softly, glaring at the ground. His mind played like when someone scrolls too fast through the photos in their computer; whirlwind blurs of color from his past that always ended in some sort of pain for him. Because, for Clovis, lying and saying that Lelouch was misbehaving gave him the praise all his older siblings wanted from the man they called Father. "That's why he…" He stopped and his head snapped back up to be greeted by pink hair and silver fur. He sneered at them. "How kind of you to grace us with your presence. It seems Clovis may have been telling the truth."
"Was there any doubt? Clovis was quite the chatterbox," Euphy scoffed, glaring down at her dark haired half brother as if he were scum on the bottom of her shoes. She pushed a long lock of pink hair back behind her ear. She reached down, twirled the gun on her index finger, and cocked it. "Let's do this like we would in a practice match. Only this time one wolf will be dead and you'll be getting dragging home, where you belong." She giggled lightly. In a flash Yosuke gunned it forward, charging at the other male he once called friend. They went tumbling back in a wrestling ball of snarls and clicking of snapping jaws.
"You're pathetic! How can you be following after that little boy like a puppy?! It's completely revolting!" Yosuke snarled, his teeth finding Suzaku's right front paw and yanking it out from under him. He tried to force his other paw down on Suzaku's throat but he rolled free and ducked in to the shadow of Yosuke's left side. As he turned his head to look Suzaku rammed right in to his side, knocking the wind out of him and dug in, sinking his fangs deep in to the flesh.
"Which of us is pathetic, Yosuke?! Who became the lapdog to the one who killed his mother?!" He bellowed back, emphasizing his point by digging his teeth in farther. Yosuke did not yelp but snarled loudly, trying to worm his way free and fight back. Sadly, due to his difficulty with the new blind spot, he could not judge how far Suzaku's neck was from his grip. He just squirmed and flopped like a fish in the sun.
"And you're any better?! That boy is the one! His death will bring about the end of all mythical beasts in existence! His death will bring about the glorious changes we need to see!" He declared bravely. Suzaku's jaw loosened and he used this chance to smack him square in the jaw with his back leg. The auburn wolf stumbled back and stared at him, emerald eyes wide with shock and fear.
"What?" He whispered, voice barely audible. Yosuke's ears twitched and he heard it. He then smirked, bowed calmly, and watched him with a sly grin.
"He didn't tell you himself? I don't know all the details but if that kid is killed slowly on the Slayer holiday of Rebirth it will lead to the destruction of all of us. You see, this kid," He began in a slow drawl, "is a distinct relative of a werewolf and human Partner that fell in love and conceived a child about forty odd years ago. His mother has some relation to the kid and then she had him with Charles the Slayer, making him an all around abomination. His death, due to his bound to each different type of creature, will destroy all mythic beasts, Slayers and blessed humans around the globe! So in just one fell swoop we can take out all the revolting races and their apparent savior!" He laughed loudly.
Suzaku blinked slowly before glaring at the other male. "But what of the Slayers?! They'll all be dead as well! They have to die for their ultimate goal to be achieved! That's a contradiction to everything!" He snapped back, his chest hammering in his chest. Perhaps if he could poke holes in the Slayers story he could bring Yosuke back to the side of the good.
"Sacrifices must be made in order for all things to be repaired," He shrugged calmly, as if simply discussing the time of weather. Suzaku growled lowly in his throat, preparing to silence his friend forever, when they both froze. The smell in the air… It couldn't be…
…
Milly hummed lightly, stirring the large silver pot with a wooden spoon. Vladimir sat on the counter, tail swaying slowly from side to side, as he preened over his wings. The young girl got a small bit of the broth on to the spoon, took an experimental sip, and then turned to her feathery pet. "Vlad, can you taste this and tell me if you like it?" She quizzed lightly. The little griffin's head popped back up and he sniffed the liquid eagerly. He then lapped at it and shook his head, back up and stumbling backwards off the tile covered cabinet, screeching and struggling to get back up without using his wings. Milly blinked and then looked down at her spoon.
Vlad fluttered back up and shook his head again. "Not spicy enough for you?" She asked him lightly. He blinked three times, his tail snapped quickly from the left to the right, and he let out a little baby bird-like chirp. She nodded and turned back to the pot. "I didn't think it was spicy enough either but I wanted to make sure it would be okay with you to add more spices. Maybe a little more crushed red pepper?" She mused allowed, tapping her cheek in thought. The loud chiming of her cell snapped her and Vlad away from their almost ready dinner.
"Cause we are living in a material world, and I am a material girl!" The ringtone sang in Madonna's voice. Milly grinned, picked the phone up, flipped it up, propped it up to her ear with her shoulder, and returned to her cooking.
"Milly Ashford here!" She sang merrily, dumping another handful of crushed red peppers in to her brewing concoction.
"Hello Milly. It's Rakshata," The smooth, older woman's voice stated calmly. Milly blinked a few times, her smile disappearing and her stirring beginning to slow down to a slow, small circular motion in the center of the pot. What was she doing calling her at this hour?
"Why hello Rakshata. This is a quite a surprise," She managed, clearing her throat a bit as she moved about the small kitchen. She got down a red bowl with the name Vladimir painted on in gold letters. She then headed back to the bubbling pot, moved it to the cooler side of the stove, and began using a ladle to scoop the soup in to the bowl.
"Yes, well, we are in need of those of you in the student council. I've located the group rat and shall have them taken care of. I need you and the others to head to the woods and locate Suzaku and Lelouch. A new special agent from higher up will be helping you with tracking them," She explained calmly.
"And is this higher up agent Rin Kururugi?" The younger woman pressed gently, setting the bowl in front of the eagerly waiting griffin. A light laugh was heard on the other end of the phone.
"No, no, but you do know them very well," She hummed lightly before the line went dead. Releasing a long, heavy sigh Milly put the lid on the pot, shoved her phone in to her purse, tossed it over her shoulder, and grabbed her white jacket from the back of a nearby chair.
"I'll be back a little later, Vlad. Be good while I'm gone and don't destroy anything of extreme value," She called before waving, walking out, and locking the door behind her. Vlad leaned down, took a few licks of the broth, and then let out a loud keening noise, tail and wings drooping down. It still wasn't spicy enough!
…
Jaws were digging deeply in to Lelouch's right arm and he had to keep himself from laughing and making a smart remark like, "Well aren't you original! Skippy the Wonder Pup over there did this before once!" The main reason he forced himself to stay quiet was because these teeth were more painful, more pointed, and better prepared to gladly rip his arm right off. He wondered briefly if the strength in a werewolf's jaw was hereditary, because it would certainly explain why Suzaku's teeth were such terrifying pearly whites. Aside from that, Lelouch knew his theory was correct. Genbu Kururugi was plotting against his own people and now he was trying to scare him out of fessing to what he knew.
"Genbu!" Euphemia gasped in honest surprise. Unless she had become a better actress, which Lelouch had decided was in impossible feat with her microscopic brain, this was not something she or Yosuke had been planning on happening. Lelouch had once been told that Genbu Kururugi, despite being a phenomenal warrior and alpha, was a little too impulsive. This act would be filed under that category.
"Father?!" Suzaku cried fearfully as he ran up, skidding to a stop before he reached them. His eyes were wide and horror-glazed, seeming a lighter green. Genbu met his gaze with a frightening amount of composure. It was as if he didn't care his son had walked over just in time to watch him mutilate the one he loved and cherished. This couldn't be real! His father would never do this to Lelouch! He was a good, kind werewolf who loved his family and his pack!
The older wolf released Lelouch's arm with a calm, almost gently opening of his jaw and stepping back. The gesture almost seemed guilty, apologetic. "Suzaku, I am sorry you had learned the truth like this. Ever since you were young you were to fulfill a destiny. However, your destiny is something we've never wanted to face. Now it is clear that today is the destined say. Today, my son, you must die at my very own hands," He stated softly as he slowly approached Suzaku. The younger male's ears and tails drooped down low, tail between his legs and ears flat against his skull, as he used to when he was a child afraid of the pains of the change. No! This couldn't be happening! He turned and took off running as fast as he could, struggling to get away. He could hear the close following pad of his own father's paws hitting the ground in pursuit of him. His own father was coming to kill him!
But why? Why did he have to die? Was his destiny that much of a terror to his father? Was he linked in with Lelouch? Was the death of them both what would cause the downfall of all creatures? No, no. His father wouldn't be hunting him if that was true. But what Lelouch had told him… Was it possible his very own father was planning to help wipe the world clean of their races? But how could that be? He would be killed as well! That would be suicide! His father always told Suzaku that suicide was a coward's way out!
Suddenly a loud, long, shrill howling came from the hills above them. Suzaku skidded to a stop and looked up, eyes wide, and froze at the sight. Before them stood his mother and a shadowed figure, a long black cloak bellowing behind them. Rin slowly stepped down in a menacing yet regal and graceful way, carrying herself as a true alpha female should. "Oh Genbu, you fool," Rin sighed lightly, eyes shimmering darker in the pale light and with the sheer shame coating it. She gently walked past Suzaku, shoving him behind her like when he was a young pup and Charles stood before them. "The shame you have brought to this pack, to myself as your mate and Suzaku as your son, is unforgiveable. And because of this, Genbu Kururugi, your time has come." Her voice became low, menacing, dangerous. Suzaku twitched and looked around frantically as slowly the other members of the pack began to surround, forming a large circle shape. The hooded figure stood among them, watching with an unseeable face as the events played out. The wolves' howls of pain, rage and bitter curses rang out loudly, vibrating with a shaking intensity from the trees and forest floor.
"Rin, have you forsaken me, your own mate?" He whispered softly, a look of hurt and betrayal crossing Genbu's face. She did not waver, however, in her appearance. She remained strong, standing as if she was a lone knight against a see of enemy faces. Genbu glared at her when his attempt to sway her failed.
"You are the one or has forsaken the world," She began slowly, "and I played the fool for too long. I always swore that as long as it never hurt the pack or our family your business was your business. But now I see you've been planning this for years. If you had your way we would all be dead. I now see that the one who informed Charles of the every last detail that would leave us weak was you. Seven years ago you were the one who told the guards to let Yosuke, Suzaku and Takashi think they tricked them and sneak out in to pack lands. Seven years ago you were the one who told Charles Britannia that our son, our beautiful wonderful son, would be put there and where they were likely to go. You wanted him to kill Suzaku! You wanted the money he offered! You, Genbu Kururugi, have been trying to kill my son for years!" She screamed wrathfully, sliding down in preparation to strike, haunches on edge and fangs bared. Suzaku flinched and stumbled back, the impact of his mother's words breaking his heart. The father he admired… The father he idolized… He had been the one to arrange an assassination attempt performed years ago. "And now, you imitation of my mate, you will feel the full fury of a mother and a woman scorned!" And in a second Rin and Genbu charged forward, narrowly dodging each other and twirling on the heels, facing each other with unadulterated hatred.
The world was crumbling around Suzaku, his entire body trembling as he watched his parents exchange blows. He knew what this was in the moment the first move was made. Pack law forbid the change of mates unless a few requirements were met. For one, if the two new mates were widow and widower the union was looked upon as another chance at finding love and happiness, which was approved by all. Another was that if one was dissatisfied and the other was single as long as the other person's mate agreed the split could be made, so long as the couple that split was a childless one. The last one was if one of the two in the relationship committed an act of extreme dishonor, such as kill another wolf or harm a blood relative on either mate's family. That one worked a little differently however. With the third condition a fight to the death would be held between the two arguing spouses. If the honorable one won they earned the right to take on a new mate and life. If the dishonorable one won, their honor was restored and they were given the chance to find a new mate. In this case, Genbu had made an attempt on Suzaku's life, and Rin was fighting to remove the shameful wretch from their lives.
Lelouch darted up, Euphemia and Yosuke close behind. He blinked a few times, watching with wide eyes as the wolves cheered their female on and jeered their male to places he didn't know wolves believed in. He shifted his attention to the trembling ball of chocolate colored fur just barely out of where the action was occurring. He darted up, shoving past werewolves and ignoring their hissing arguments. Wolves' loved watching contact sports where fighting was included, such as boxing or wrestling. When something big happened, such as a marriage or a birth, violent yet friendly competitions were held in celebration. An activity, such as this, was simply phenomenal to them, though they seemed to not notice the horror-stricken son watching everything happened. "Suzaku!" He cried out, ignoring how his right arm jerked from side to side painfully. The other perked up, vert eyes shifting and finally focusing on reality and the sight of his bloody and battered Partner rushing to his side.
"Lelouch," He whispered as the other dropped to his side, left hand massaging lightly at his neck and gliding back up to oh so delicately scratch that sweet spot behind his left ear. Lelouch's touch was almost like Chap Stick applied to chapped lips with a crack; it was a bit painful but at the same time an almost addictive kind of comfort, like a drug. Suzaku pressed his head in to Lelouch' left side, resting the top of his skull against the raven haired boy's ribcage softly and keeping it set up so that Lelouch could continue to run his soft, pale fingers through his fur in that soothing way of his. "Lelouch, Lelouch, Lelouch." He began murmuring the other's name as if it were some secret mantra that would release him from this world that seemed to be so unkind, so harsh, so unforgiving, that sent his mind reeling over what he was truly worth and what was truly his. Instead of shoving him away and scolding him for his cowardice, as he half expected, the other just resumed trying to calm him back down.
The howling and snapping and cheering and screaming all around them refused to silence, despite their struggle to block it out. Rin hopped backward just in time to narrowly miss a swipe of Genbu's large paw. She glared, ducked down, and charged forward again, ramming her head straight in to his chest. He let out a loud 'oouf' sound as she slammed him back on the ground and knocked the wind out of him. Rin then hopped back again, pacing in a slow circle around him. She had learned this technique many years ago when she and Marianne were Partners and students at Ashford Academy. She had found it useful both in the field and in close combat with her fellow wolf. "That's not all you've got, Genbu. I know you better than that," She whispered, more to herself than him. A stall aura filled the area, causing her and the other to stiffen. The wolves scattered like sparks of a wild fire, retreating to pack land as fast as their legs would take them. Euphemia and Yosuke dropped to a graceful bow and Lelouch clenched on to a fistful of Suzaku's fur.
Rin and Genbu turned as Schneizel stepped forward slowly, seeming to be the same proud Slayer who years ago pursued their son in these very woods. "Rin, it's good to see you've been well. Suzaku, I see you are still alive. And Lelouch… Ah, Lelouch," He smiled sweetly as if he were a loving older brother being reunited with his long lost but still adored little brother. Lelouch kept the shakes and tremors of his body, the sudden rush of his heart, the way his blood had turned to ice water, to himself and well concealed. Schneizel, however, was extremely grand at reading people. "Are you not glad to see me again dear brother? Didn't you miss me? How unkind of you." He said with faked pain, reaching out to cup one of Lelouch's pale cheeks.
Suzaku perked up as the smell of Lelouch quickly reached him again. The smell of blood was stronger and mixed with pure fear. For the first time since stepping foot in to the woods, the Suzaku Kururugi that Lelouch knew oh so well snapped from his daze and back to the surface. In a second sharp, ragged fangs dug in to the pale flesh hidden under Schneizel's dark blue tunic. Pale lavender eyes met enraged emerald orbs. "Don't you dare lay a finger on him, you undeserving bastard!" He spat in complete loathing. Lelouch blinked a few times, snapping from his own panic-induced delirium, and looked at the auburn wolf before him. "I swore to protect him no matter what! I won't let you ever hurt him again!"
"You're a fool, Suzaku," Yosuke scoffed calmly, coming to sit up from his previous bow. His eyes were cold on his once friend, who glared at him while still holding the Slayer's arm between his massive jaws. "This whole system is corrupt. The only way for things to ever change is for it to all be destroyed. It's been like this for far too long and it's time for it all to end." Suzaku scoffed and gave a quick jerk of his head before spitting the blonde male's arm back out from his jaw. He ignored the wince and glare the other gave him in response.
"Do you say this because of your mother's death?" He asked bluntly. Yosuke chuckled deeply in his throat before tossing his head back in the air and laughing loudly, a hysteric edge to it. "Things can change with time, Yosuke. Your mother's death doesn't have to be in vain. If you strive to make this world better, to make this world more justified, you can make sure no one ever suffers like her again."
"You don't get it, Suzaku. You can say those pretty little words, weave them together in whatever gorgeous design you have muddled up in that noggin of yours but no one ever practices what they preach. Especially in the world of werewolves and Slayers and blessed humans," He stated while shaking his head and smiling.
"I don't just give lip service, Yosuke," Suzaku stated sternly, "and you should know that better than anyone." They stared at each other a long time, hazel orbs and green orbs battling over who was the more determined. Finally, silver colored lids closed over one set of eyes and again Yosuke chuckled and shook his head.
He opened his voice to say more but was cut off by a short, "It's time to return home you two. Father is not very satisfied with either of you," The fear written clearly on Euphemia's face was the only reason Yosuke could think of for the sharp tongued male to bite his blade sharp tool back. They walked over to the older Slayer, a long staring match taking place between the two male wolves. And then they left, causing things to get quiet for a moment. And then, with no warning, a shot was heard and in a spurt of crimson Genbu Kururugi fell to the dirt, the entire left side of his head blown clean off and his blood and brains dripping evenly to the ground close by.
…
Euphemia kept her eyes closed tightly as her father glared down at her, eyes hard as steel. She knew she'd be severely punished for this. Again she and Yosuke had failed to recapture Lelouch and kill Suzaku. "Forgive me, Father. I did not know the Kururugi she wolf knew the truth or that Genbu Kururugi would be making a personal attempt on Suzaku's life. If I had known things would have gone in a very different direction," She stated as politely as possible, keeping her tone even and body drooped below him submissively. A scoff was heard but she did not lift her head even a centimeter. She had learned better than to do something as completely disrespectful as that.
"You are becoming a far too useless burden on the family, Euphemia. A long time ago I thought there was hope for you, when Cornelia began teaching you. But you let yourself become weak with the pampering and kindness she extended to you. Instead of being grateful for the undeserved tutelage your full blood sister offered you used it to fulfill you need to be in the spotlight. And now, with this mutt giving you all the things you have not yet earned, you are getting fat and lazy with thoughts of love and friendship. You have become a disgrace, a liability," He stated flatly, eyes just as cold as his tone. She flinched away from his words, sincerely hurt by them. She always thought that by trying her best, though not always succeeding, she had proved that everything her family gave her was appreciated.
"Let's see you try doing it, you old shit!" Yosuke snapped suddenly, lips curled up to reveal his sharp teeth. The color in Euphemia's face drained and she looked at her Partner with wide horror stricken amethyst orbs. Charles regarded him coolly.
"It appears that neither of you is any good for the other. Therefore, one of you must go," He stated evenly as he lifted up his crossbow. Euphemia didn't look at him, too busy trying to hurriedly shut up her snarling Partner. In a whirlwind of motion that left her dizzy Euphemia was sent rolling on her side across the tile, her back hitting a stone statue with a blow that left her reeling for air and unable to move properly. For a moment all she could do was hear a loud gagging, coughing sound somewhere near where she had been. After a seconds hesitation her vision, body and organs began again listening to her dictations. She forced herself up and her heart froze again.
Yosuke was standing on shaky, unsure legs and an arrow from her own father's crossbow was stuck clean through his throat. She screamed, forced herself up, and ran over to him. He was coughing and choking on his blood! "Yosuke! Yosuke!" She shrieked desperately, falling beside him and trying desperately to figure out what to do. He gave her a small, cheeky grin like he did the day he arrived, before his eyes shut and his body fell forward, a bit of his blood splattering on to her.
End
I am hoping and praying this chapter may redeem a little of my lost honor in your eyes! I really do love when you guys tell me what you think is good and what isn't! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, plus helps me improve so more people may enjoy my writing. So, again, sorry about the update lag last time but I really hope the next few chapters can help revive your passion and love for this little tale. Well, I'll be awaiting your feedback anxiously and once I get it I'll give you my answer! Until then ciao!