The Chess Match
9
-L/L-
Suzaku was the pilot of the Lancelot.
"And now I'd like to announce the new positions resulting from our reorganization," Zero continued to his rapt audience. "Supreme Commander of Military Forces will be Toudou Kyoshiro. The Chief Intelligence Commissioner in charge of public relations and intelligence gathering will be Diethard Ried."
He had known that Diethard's appointment might not go smoothly, but he didn't quite expect Tamaki to turn and apparently threaten the man. Or Nagisa's firm words questioning his authority.
"Zero, I don't meant to sound like a racist," she began, and Lelouch knew she was going to sound exactly like a racist, "but what's your reasoning behind putting a Britannian in such a sensitive position?"
"My reasoning?" Lelouch echoed. He didn't need to put up with this right now. "So what do you think of me, I wonder? Certainly you all know that I'm not Japanese either. All I need is the ability to produce results. Race, past experience and campaigns are none of my concern."
"I get it, I get it," Tamaki muttered under his breath.
Lelouch flung out an arm dramatically to continue. "Ohgi Kaname will be Second-In-Command."
Ohgi looked surprised, even though he was the only one. Lelouch smirked under his mask. "Disappointed?"
"Oh, no," he said, shaking his head. Head-banded followers congratulated him.
Suzaku was the pilot of the Lancelot.
Lelouch shook himself mentally. He had to focus just a little longer. "Rakshata, you'll be Chief of Research and Development. Unit Zero will be led by Kallen Kouzuki. Unit Zero will be under my direct control. Think of it as my Honor Guard."
The screen flickered behind him to show the entire layout of the reorganization. "Unit One's captain is Asahina Shougo, Unit Two's captain Senba Ryouga, and Unit Three's captian is Kagesaki Kizuna. And finally—" Zero pushed forward, quelling Tamaki's open-mouthed protest before it had the chance to really start, "Tamaki Shinichiro will command the Second Special Operations Unit. That's it."
"Alright!" Tamaki shouted, punching a fist in the air and looking around at three girls who flanked him. They smiled and petted his arms in congratulations.
"Zero, may I ask one thing?" Diethard asked, his eyes looking firmly at the mask. Lelouch turned towards him. "There's an issue I'd like to discuss with you later on."
"Very well. I will expect you tomorrow." He faced the rest of the Knights, knowing he didn't really have the strength to continue being Zero any longer for today. "Everyone, please double-check your unit members and chain-of-command. Also, please review the handouts sent electronically for a complete list of your specific duties." He concluded, leaving the screen on and the room washed in a bluish light.
The Black Knights were all nodding comfortably and beginning to congratulate each other on their positions. It looked as if there were no further questions or objections and Lelouch couldn't focus any longer.
Suzaku was the pilot of the Lancelot.
"Meeting adjourned," he stated succinctly and made his exit stage left as quickly as possible. His office door slid shut behind him and he made a quick check for anyone else in the room. Thankfully, it was empty and he locked the door again.
Suzaku was the pilot of the Lancelot.
He took off his mask, setting it carefully on the stand on his desk. Suddenly, his whole outfit seemed too restricting and he unzipped down to his navel, stripping off the top of his suit and tearing off his tie.
Suzaku was the pilot of the Lancelot.
How had this happened? Lelouch walked to a couch, and flopped down onto his back. He didn't notice whether he was comfortable or not. He didn't notice when C.C. wandered into the room, glanced at him, and exited again. He didn't hear Kallen knocking on the door softly before eventually leaving.
Lelouch stared at the ceiling, his mind blank except for the image of Suzaku's raised head in the open top of the white and gold Knightmare frame.
-L/L-
Sitting though his classes had more or less been hell. He knew Suzaku could tell that he wasn't pleased with Suzaku's new position, but they hadn't had the chance to talk about it. Of course, the rest of the school was abuzz with the news that Suzaku had somehow gained the honor of Knighthood. Milly was already planning a school-wide party for the very next day.
However, the idea of Sir Suzaku Kururugi made Lelouch's stomach churn like he was being repeatedly punched in the gut. Suzaku was playing Knight to the wrong sister. If he had to overhear one more person say congratulations to Suzaku, he would surely Geass the entire—
"Lelouch?" Bright green eyes and a tentative smile appeared less than a foot in front of Lelouch's face. Lelouch jerked back out of his thoughts and away from Suzaku mentally and physically.
The other boy smiled. "Sorry to startle you, but you're so spacey today, Lelouch. Class is over—it's time for the Student Council meeting."
It was true, the room was mostly empty and the last few were trailing out of the room. Suzaku held out his hand, and Lelouch found himself taking it out of reflex. And politeness. Or maybe just out of exhaustion. He picked up his bookbag once on his feet and slung it over his shoulder.
"Ah, that's right," Lelouch said offhandedly. He really didn't want to go—undoubtedly he'd be put in charge of planning Suzaku's celebratory party. Lelouch looked out the window and away from his friend. "I can't make it today, though."
Suzaku wilted in Lelouch's peripherally vision. Outside, students were walking around the grounds, leaving through the gates, waving at friends, and enjoying the sunny day. He saw Kallen's distinctive hair as she ambled out the gates and turned left. She would be at headquarters before him, as usual.
"But you didn't come to the last one."
"Neither did you." Lelouch countered, still not looking at Suzaku.
There was an awkward pause.
"I… I meant the last one I went to, Lelouch."
Lelouch finally turned to Suzaku, who was looking at his feet in embarrassment. Lelouch sighed. "I'm sorry. I'll be sure to be there tomorrow. I just have—"
A different, yet distinctive male voice called out from the hallway. "Lelouch?" A moment later, Light appeared in the doorway, looking in curiously. "Are you still in here?"
"—to talk with Light about something today, that's all," Lelouch covered, not sure if he was thankful for the newly-appeared excuse or not. This was Light, after all. "See you tomorrow."
Lelouch slipped away from Suzaku quickly and slowed as he reached Light's side. He didn't look back at Suzaku, but instead into Light's open face. "So?"
"There's something I wanted to talk to you about," Light said plainly. Lelouch didn't stop walking entirely, and Light fell into step next to him. The last thing Lelouch needed was for Suzaku to overhear and realize that Lelouch had just used Light as a convenient excuse to skip the Council meeting. Even though he had.
"I don't really have much time," Lelouch said. He had enough on his mind without worrying about his paranoia with Light. At least the boy hadn't shown up in his Black Knight ranks yet. And with some hope, maybe he wouldn't.
He glanced sideways to see Light's expression harden almost imperceptibly. It was in his lips, Lelouch saw carefully, and how they thinned when he pressed them together harder. Maybe a tenseness in his brows as well.
"This is something you want to know, Lelouch." His voice was evenly controlled and not one that suggested frivolous high school rivalries. Not that their rivalry was entirely frivolous, but this voice was colder. It commanded attention. Lelouch felt his paranoia around Light returning. Had this something to do with the monster… with Kira? His stomach dropped.
"I still don't really have the time, you know…." Lelouch tried to be evasive. Part of him just wanted to run away and not deal with any more complications. But then Light stopped walking and Lelouch was compelled to do the same. Out of reflex. Or politeness. Or…. He looked into Light's eyes, and the gaze was ferociously intense, burning with a piercing look that nearly made Lelouch look away.
"It's about you and your sister, Lelouch." The terrifying eyes held him still as Lelouch's blood turned to ice. "Trust me, you want to know."
Checkmate. Lelouch thought wretchedly. Light had him with his only true weakness. With that tone and those words, there was no way Lelouch could say no. He nodded weakly and gestured for Light to follow him to a safe room to talk.
He took Light to an unused extracurricular room with a single table surrounded a several chairs, and switched on the light. It flickered several times before seeming to take hold and reach the corners of the room. The shades were pulled over the windows, and Lelouch didn't bother to open them. He turned to face Light, his stomach in knots.
"Well?" he asked apprehensively.
Instead of answering directly and assuaging Lelouch's fears, Light unzipped his bag and pulled out a folder. Lelouch leaned against the table and clicked his fingernails on the surface impatiently. He could have sworn Light smirked ever so slightly at the noise and Lelouch immediately stopped to clench his restless fist instead.
"I figured that if I were able to figure this out, others might as well. And in these dangerous times…." Light trailed off cryptically, and held out a piece of paper.
Lelouch had the sinking feeling he already knew what the short printed article said. Ah, yes, so he wasn't the only one who noticed such an anniversary of death. And Lelouch had always figured someone would call him out on his secret… it was just that he had stopped being quite as wary after seven years had passed without a whisper. Lelouch scanned the short paragraph without moving a muscle or revealing an expression other than blankness. He stared at the crisp black ink several seconds longer, before looking up at Light.
There was only one thing to do at the moment. He sighed, leaned back, his amethyst eyes almost casually meeting Light's almond ones, and handed the paper back soberly. "Alright. What are you going to do about this, Light?"
His seeming easiness seemed to slightly confuse Light. As if Light had expected a bigger shock from Lelouch. Lelouch realized Light had probably wanted the news to shock Lelouch—his goal was to annoy and frighten and terrorize his rival. It might be better to use Geass to make Light forget this news… but then he'd be left completely unarmed if Light rediscovered it. No, more like when Light rediscovered it; the article was probably copied and saved to his computer, e-mail, and with several hard copies. Light would be thorough. And Lelouch couldn't shake the feeling that he might need to protect his other identity with the Geass if Kallen brought him into the Order of the Black Knights. If Shirley had been able to figure out he was Zero, then what would stop a genius like Light? Besides, at the moment, they were completely alone… and Light could have brought it up in front of others. That meant Light didn't want anyone else to know, at least not yet. Light's tanned features smoothed over quickly into a frown that Lelouch didn't trust.
"What do you mean, what am I going to do about it? I just came here to warn you…" Light replied, only playing the part of a worried friend. Lelouch knew they weren't friends. "After all, royals are specifically targeted right now."
"I know," Lelouch answered succinctly, offering nothing more.
Light returned his look, eyeing him with slight suspicion. "Aren't you worried that Kira will kill you?"
The room seemed to hum with tension. The table and chairs around them faded from focus and it was like they were the only two people in the world who mattered and made a difference. Instinctively, Lelouch could sense that Light's words were a veiled threat. Fear plunged through him, bathing him in a wash of ice and anxiety. Did Light know that the monster was following him? Light's eyes were catching him again in their strange thrall, but Lelouch didn't want to lose this time. He was stronger. He could look anyone in the eye and make them obey him. Geass or no, Lelouch wouldn't hesitate to prove to Light that he was stronger. The words seemed to leave Lelouch of their own accord, his strong will unable to stand down from such a challenge. He almost smiled.
"Unless Kira is in this room," he began slowly, his voice plying the words sonorously, "there's no reason I should be worried, right, …Light?"
Light blinked once, his eyes hard like amber, but the rest of his face softened. "I simply meant that anyone could figure out what I did. That means that Kira must be able to as well."
"But Kira doesn't need to kill those who are already dead. Light, the article states that Nunnally and I are dead."
"But you're obviously not!" Light hissed, stepping closer. His face was less than a foot away from the ex-Prince, and Lelouch caught the scent of sandalwood and juniper. "Don't you get it, Lelouch?"
"Of course I understand," Lelouch replied calmly against the stormy tide that was Light. He could tell he wasn't giving Light the reaction he wanted—the other student looked like he wanted to shake the calm acceptance right out of Lelouch. It made Lelouch feel even more smug because he wasn't giving Light what he wanted. "I've been expecting someone to figure it out for years. I didn't expect it to take seven years and a genius to do so."
"But what if Kira decides to kill you, Lelouch? Don't you care?" Light searched Lelouch's face for details other than seeming apathy. Lelouch narrowed his eyes in response, his voice coming out harder than he had expected.
"I am not a criminal."
Light didn't move away, but sucked in a short breath. Lelouch watched intently—what did this reaction mean? Suspicion about something deeper at work here between Light and Kira gnawed at the back of Lelouch's mind, but he held Light's eyes fiercely, refusing to back down. Light held his gaze as if he couldn't look away, even as his body posture calmed down. His eyes continued to dance with some inner fire that Lelouch took to mean the Japanese boy was enjoying himself. Light's voice was low and just above a whisper. "No… you're not."
"And if he actually reads, he'll know I'm no longer a Prince," Lelouch continued, his voice ringing out clearly after Light's softer words. "In fact, if he realizes I'm alive, he would probably understand that it's not him that I'm hiding from, but from the Royals themselves."
"Lelouch…" Light began thoguhtfully, "Why are you hiding from your family? You could be wealthy and powerful."
"And dead."
Light sighed with exasperation, and Lelouch realized he was beginning to be able to tell when Light was play-acting as a normal student. It was unsettling to simultaneously understand that Light was most often pretending. He focused on Light's words, their lilt too perfect for the situation. "Let's assume Kira's not around, since you make it sound like it has nothing to do with it. Why wouldn't you want to be with your family? I can't imagine what it would be like to make mine think I'm dead."
Lelouch snorted derisively. Not only was Light probably imagining it at that very moment—the lying bastard—, but he was comparing his family with Lelouch's all in an innocent-sounding fashion. It was actually funny. "Without my mother's protection, I'm fairly certain that the mothers of my half-siblings would have killed Nunnally and me. If not the half-siblings themselves. And don't think it would have bothered the Emperor to see his progeny killing each other off." Lelouch looked away, off to the right, even though his voice didn't waver or lose volume. "He didn't even care when my mother died and she was supposedly his favorite."
Lelouch heard Light swallow uncomfortably, and saw peripherally that his expression showed the same fascination one would have when watching a Knightmare burn with a man trapped inside. It was an honest expression, not a fake one. Lelouch realized his utter contempt and bitterness was showing Light a side that he hadn't been privy to before.
"I'm… sorry," Light said into the silence. "I didn't think it was quite like that. Or that there would be some of you who would choose to leave it."
For the first time, Lelouch actually could believe Light's apology was genuine. It wouldn't be strange if Light disliked Britannia either—he had been more or less grandfathered in as an honorary Britannian by his father's position as a police officer working with Britannia on the Kira investigation. He was still Japanese. He had been in Japan at the same time Lelouch watched the bombs fall in sunflower fields where children played.
"To be honest, Light," Lelouch said, and then turned to look him squarely in the eye. The space between them was utterly still, and Lelouch's voice came out deep and dark as it filled the void. "I hate Britannia."
Something seemed to click inside Light with those words, his eyes widening and growing more luminous. He seemed to radiate a strange, yet oddly benevolent power that disconcerted Lelouch and made him wonder if he shouldn't have stopped himself from telling Light that fact. But a slight smile appeared on Light's lips, and he looked at his opponent candidly as if he had removed the usual mask that smoothed his pretty features into a normal high schooler's. It was captivatingly criminal. "To be honest, Lelouch, so do I."
There was no doubt in Lelouch's mind that Light spoke the truth. Britannia had ruined both of their lives, all the clearer to the two of them. Their intelligence wouldn't let them pretend otherwise, their strength wouldn't let them forget, and their arrogance… in Lelouch's case, he knew he wouldn't let Britannia get away with it, so how could he assume anything else in Light's case?
They were very similar, and the thought simultaneously relieved and concerned Lelouch. It meant that Light was less likely to reveal Lelouch's royal secret—what good would it do?—but Lelouch was fairly sure he still hated Light. Light could be a liability if he disliked Lelouch enough to simply want to blackmail or use him in any way. Which was actually a relatively high possibility considering their past. It might be safest to use Geass on Light immediately, to protect himself and to protect Nunnally. But there was always the question of Light being ushered into the Black Knights by Kallen and his identity as Zero was far more important to hide than his princely status. It would be a shame to waste Geass on Light for something the other boy might not tell anyone anyway.
It was probably best to wait and decide. He wouldn't have to use Geass on Light… yet. And if Light tried to blackmail Lelouch, he would first have to make sure Light couldn't figure out his lineage again or anything related to Nunnally. Whatever it was, Lelouch would have to be very careful and specific with his Geass order. If there were anyone intelligent enough to work around a Geass to obtain what he wanted, it would be Light. Why on earth was this frustrating boy in his school? Light was turning into a paranoia headache, and Lelouch could no longer force himself to believe Light was just another student.
"I won't tell anyone," Light said, and Lelouch suddenly had the terrifying suspicion that Light could read his mind—but no, that was Mao, who was dead, and Light was simply just intelligent enough to guess the obvious. "You can trust me."
Lelouch just stared at him. "Light, while we're on the subject of honesty, you should know that I trust you as far as I can throw you."
Light laughed easily, seeming pleased with Lelouch's flat response. "And everyone knows you would be hard-pressed to even lift me."
"Exactly," Lelouch replied, a tight smile appearing on his face. At least they understood each other.
"Well, that's all I really wanted to say, and it seems like you've got a handle on things yourself," Light said, stepping back finally and turning towards the door. He reached for the knob, but let his hand rest on it while he tilted his head back over his shoulder towards his fellow student. "We should talk again sometime, Lelouch. I find you very interesting."
The door opened, and then swung shut behind Light's back. Lelouch stayed frozen for several seconds trying to digest Light's words, and then sagged with exhaustion and bewilderment. The ordeal had been quite trying and… what on earth had Light meant by the last statement? They both knew they were playing with an unknown fire—otherwise Light wouldn't have hinted at his own true character to Lelouch and Lelouch was strong enough to face him back. And all the talk of Kira… Lelouch realized there was probably a significant connection, considering the invisible monster was in all likelihood still following Light. But the real question was whether Light knew it or not. And was it really Kira? Or was Light simply all too obsessed with the killer because of his father's work and the reasoning behind Britannia's invasion?
He really was getting a headache and he was still just Lelouch Lamperouge at school talking with a highly intelligent classmate. Granted, he was trying to hide that he was an exiled, presumed-dead Prince of Britannia, but it wasn't like he was worrying about being discovered as Zero—
Damn. Lelouch suddenly scrambled to the door and dashed down the hallway towards the clubhouse. He needed his briefcase and to ask a favor of C.C. before he left the building.
He still had a secret meeting to get to and an army to lead.
-L/L-
Why hello, my dear readers. It's been a long time, no? I would like to start by apologizing for the wait and give my puny excuses of being busy and having two computer crashes in the last... er, year. Has it really been THAT long since I updated? *winces* But, no, I haven't given up on this story and luckily, the next chapter is mostly written already (reasons being it was originally going to be the second half of this chapter, but then got too long and intimidating, so I cut it at 9 pages). So. Thank you all for your patience and I will do my best to live up to your expectations and update sooner.
As always, please enjoy and leave a review.
~anja-chan