Code Geass: Lazos de Sangre (English Version)

by AliceXS

Lelouch was a child when his family was devastated by order of the president of the Britannia Corps. Years later, he'll return as a successful lawyer to reveal the truth and cruelly do justice, since evil can only be punished with evil. Will he make it? Will you dare to relive Lelouch's rebellion against Britannia like you never thought you would? (Retelling)

9. Chapter 8: Sin

Code Geass: Lazos de sangre

Chapter Eight:

Sin

Villetta was examining the CCTV footage her team seized from one of the gas stations near the fire. There, Dr. Asprius was observed filling the containers of his car with gas. Every ten seconds he would turn his head from side to side, lean his hand against the wall, and straighten up again and again, waiting for it to end. She saw those expressions hundreds of times on rookie assassins. The video had the date of the incident, which led her to believe that it wasn't a premeditated crime.

With all the evidence gathered thus far, Villetta was able to obtain the purchase records. He paid a hundred and fifty with his credit card. The funny thing was that a car of the model he drove needed only a hundred. Even if it was circumstantial evidence, it was highly suspicious that he bought extra gasoline just thirty minutes before the fire. From her experience, she learned that it was common for arsonists to stay at crime scenes to view their work. She already sent for a video copy of the fire. If Asprius was captured in one of those images, his arrest was official. At the moment she was looking for an angle that would allow her to see the license plate of his car. When she thought she perceived something, she froze the image and magnified it. Villetta bent over the computer and memorized the license plate. She jumped up.

"We got it! Let's go!" She exclaimed loudly, as she put on her coat.

The officers abandoned everything they were doing and followed their superior out of the police station.

---

Lelouch was around seventeen when he realized the overwhelming power of seduction. Before, he couldn't help but feel puffed up and at the same time a little confused by the compliments he heard and the sighs he drew from girls. It wasn't until that point that he brought it up for consideration. Seduction wasn't just a means of pleasure. It was an art that intertwined charisma and words. It was a more effective weapon than violence itself and with which he could win favors and gain opportunities. And, like all art demands to be worked, he began to educate himself by spending his time with women to find out their desires, their tastes and how he could please them in the best way.

Of course, eloquence wasn't everything. Sex was another story. He decided that his first time would be with a beautiful and virginal girl like him for whom he felt a certain affection, in order to avoid being judged and rid himself of expectations. Even if the act was to begin once and for all, the choice was completely sentimental. Then he was with random women and whores. He perfected his techniques with each new encounter, motivated in part by a surprising "scientific" curiosity, and in part by his meticulous nature. It was thanks to that along with his charm and kindness that he became an ideal lover or if not, at least it was what he liked to believe about himself, not without a certain pride.

Lelouch was standing in front of the window drinking a brandy. His purple eyes reflected the movement of the traffic. Pendragon's lights blazed off his bare chest. Suddenly, he heard a noise. It was his companion rolling over in bed. He had poured a sedative into the glass that he served her on the pretext that it would be part of the foreplay. The poor girl fell asleep before he dropped his pants. He needed to drug her: sex was consuming his energy and it wasn't certain if he had to go out as Zero tonight. He would need it, in that case. Either way, he had his alibi and was already establishing his reputation as a playboy.

Time would prove him right because his cell phone vibrated on the nightstand. It was Tamaki. They had located the trafficker. They caught him talking to Luciano, which would practically confirm his theory. Lelouch then gave him two instructions: call C.C. to contact the reporters and summon them to the prosecution on the premise that they would see something interesting and send Urabe to pick it up. Zero couldn't come in Lelouch's car nor could he be seen driving around in the middle of the night. He had already booked hours in advance at the hotel, so he got his suit in storage. Upon receiving a message, he went down using the stairs to avoid the cameras. He would change in the truck.

---

After about twenty minutes, they reached the scene. They brought him up to date. Luciano had left not long ago. The smuggler re-entered the building and remained there. He deduced that the smuggler had done his mission or was about to. Either way, it was his new clue. With that in mind, he ordered Minami to block the exit routes and the rest to go with him. A black mask was placed, the most valuable piece of the set. His acolytes, on the other hand, armed themselves with a metal bat. They went into action. Without problems they entered the property. They went up to the fourth floor where they caught a glimpse of him for the last occasion.

The pawns, the bishop and their king stopped in front of the door.

"Shall we?" Zero asked.

There was a hint of chilling amusement in his question. Naturally, the answer was obvious. Urabe smashed the pommel by unloading the bat over and over again and kicked the door back. The smuggler was barely able to get to safety when the Black Knights jumped on him. Two each grabbed him by one arm. The trafficker was struggling to get loose. Sugiyama sapped his resistance by punching him in the abdomen several times. In parallel, the leader wandered around the apartment. He stopped in front of three hanging photos. He took his time recognizing them as the Black Knights lifted the dealer off his feet and carried him to the roof. When his inspection finished, he followed his companions.

"Who are you?! What is th... ?!"

Sugiyama silenced him by whipping him with the bat, cracking his ribs. The trafficker let a groan escape him. His legs trembled weakly and, as they had already lowered him, he fell to his knees.

"Your doubts may be resolved if you answer my questions," Zero stated. "Why did you meet with Schneizel el Britannia's bodyguard?"

"Who?" He wheezed.

"The man in the black suit and orange hair you were with. I want to know what they talked about," he answered patiently.

"Is he a bodyguard? I didn't know it! I really mean it. I never ask any of the people I associate with for those details," he explained, flustered, turning his face to his captor.

Zero stared at him for a few seconds, and then made a gesture. Sugiyama grabbed his right hand and jerked his pinky. The trafficker howled. His finger was suspended in such an unnatural position that it hurt just to see it.

"I'll ask one more time," he warned softly, "why did you meet with the bodyguard of Schneizel el Britannia?"

"I already told you! I know nothing!" The man insisted through clenched teeth, trying to keep his voice poised.

It was the wrong answer. Sugiyama already knew what to do. The annulment was next. This time the bone was heard breaking. It was an eerie noise. Almost every one of them felt the sensation it was their own bone that had been fractured. Although Tamaki already broke several bones in the past, he couldn't get used to it. Zero was the only one who was unfazed. Tears welled up in the smuggler's eyes. He could feel his life slipping away in those fingers.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, god damn it! YES!" He yelled.

"Okay," Zero agreed. "You're not afraid of death, are you?"

The smuggler took a while to interpret the meaning of his words as his mind disconnected from his body. He couldn't feel or think about anything other than pain. Having done so, he fixed his wild eyes on the mysterious masked man. His forehead was pearly and his black hair clung to it.

"You've no reason to kill me!"

"Nor do I've any to let you live. You're a criminal. A tumor," Zero pointed out. "You shouldn't be afraid of the Britannia. To them, you're insignificant. Check it out, look around you! They won't come to save you. If you die, it will be better: their illegal affairs will remain silent and they'll be able to find another trafficker. Your life isn't in their hands, but mine," he added coldly. "And I believe that your life will make up for the sins that you've committed. It's time to settle accounts. Throw him away."

Urabe and Sugiyama picked up the smuggler and hung him upside down so that he could appreciate the meters of height that separated the rooftop from the paved ground. Ironically, despite being enveloped by a chilly breeze, he lacked oxygen in his lungs; for by reversing his body the air had left them and his heart rose (or fell) to his throat.

"I'd love to tell your daughter that your loyalty to Britannia was more valuable than your life," Zero commented, walking away.

"You cannot do this! You're not above justice!"

Zero was amused by the accusation and turned to him. If Lelouch hadn't been wearing the mask, he would have seen him smile. A criminal reproaching him for his morality, it was a humorous scene.

"I'm not above justice," he corrected. "I'm justice and I got tired of doing nothing."

The smuggler descended a few inches, which, for him, was equivalent to a few meters and he shouted, almost crying:

"Fine! I'll tell you everything!" He moaned, surrendering. Tamaki pulled out a camera and began recording his confession. "He wanted to take someone to China today! That's what we've been talking about!"

"Who?"

"Someone called Bartley Asprius!" He answered with a hard effort, choking on his saliva. "He was supposed to come by right now."

Zero leaned out. Asprius was heading precisely towards the dealer's apartment.

"P-A, P-F, keep an eye on the hostage!" He ordered. "The others capture that man!"

The infantry rushed at breakneck speed toward the stairs. Zero grabbed the dealer by his shirt and violently pulled him towards him. He needed to tell him something face to face.

"Alright, garbage. You won't die today," he announced in a throaty voice, "but you're going to live the rest of your days rotting in prison and tell the detective and the prosecutor when questioned that Zero and the Black Knights will be the defenders of the helpless citizens of this nation. We'll chastise the unpunished and corrupt no matter how powerful they are. Our war is against them. The judicial system can join us along with this fight or be against us. Love us, fear us. That doesn't matter! They won't stop what we have started. Today justice will be reborn within this dawn dressed in black."

With a fierce jerk, Zero threw him to the ground. The trafficker got down on all fours trying to catch his breath. His face had turned white with horror. Zero pulled out a nine-gauge semiautomatic pistol and struck him with the butt, knocking him unconscious and in charge of Urabe and Sugiyama. They held his limbs and carried him away. Zero joined the chase. Asprius wasn't that fast (it was laughable to see his double chin wobble as he ran). But he was eight floors ahead. He was about to get into the car he arrived in when another vehicle advanced dangerously towards him, cornering him. It was Minami. The doctor retraced his steps with fear of being run over. Yoshida was the first to catch up with him and landed a hit on his back, knocking the fugitive down.

"Good work," Zero commented, slowing down his pace after seeing that the doctor lay motionless. "Check the trunk. There must be the missing corpse."

Minami reached down and searched the doctor's pockets for the car key. He pulled it out and immediately opened the trunk. The disgusting smell of decomposition was what solved the mystery. Zero then divided his knights into two groups. The first was tasked with guarding the car in the absence of the police. As Britannia Corps went to great lengths to sneak out a murder suspect, they couldn't ensure that their thugs would later be sent to dispose of the body. Better to preserve the evidence until the police arrived. It was their duty to collect evidence. Otherwise it would be inadmissible in court.

Zero's duty was to unmask the corrupt and hand them over to the respective authorities. And, on that, the second group was going to take care of it. Too bad the judicial system could no longer be trusted. The lust for power of some officials had corrupted the system. That Suzaku had become a prosecutor was the best gift luck could prepare for him. He needed a knight on his board and his old friend was emerging as the perfect candidate for his righteousness, his heroism, his good reputation and his sense of duty. If he really wanted to help him, this would be the way. This would serve as his litmus test.

On the stairs of the prosecutor's office, two huge boxes destined for the prosecutor Kururugi were left. The security guards couldn't notice who placed them there, although they did glimpse a water delivery truck that briefly passed. Intrigued by the contents of the box and called to duty, notify the good prosecutor. He had to fight his way through a whirlwind of reporters crowding to take photos.

"These are the boxes they sent me?" Prosecutor Kururugi asked, surprised and spotting the guards. Immediately, he noticed the video cameras and microphones brought by the crowd that passed through. He hadn't realized they were reporters "why are you all here? We don't call any of you."

A woman with golden hair and a smile from ear to ear elbowed her colleagues to approach the prosecutor.

"Hello! How are you? I'm Milly Ashford from KT-TV News," the blonde introduced herself energetically. "Someone contacted our agency assuring that a trip to the prosecution would yield interesting results and we've come across these boxes, do you have any idea what's inside?"

Suzaku would've liked to know that and who the sender was, but the truth was, no. And if he did, he wouldn't tell her. Unable to contain himself, the prosecutor Kururugi asked the guards to open them. They broke the security sticker. When they were going to open one of the boxes, it shook which startled everyone and fueled curiosity. With a fear that hadn't existed before, the guards ended up cautiously opening them. Inside were the trafficker and Bartley Asprius bound and gagged. The first was awake, fighting his bonds and screaming who knows what. There was also a camera in its box. The second was unconscious. Both had a ribbon around them that when put together they formed a direction. Reporters pushed the bewildered Suzaku as he pounced to take more photos. Suzaku recognized Dr. Asprius; not the other one. He felt a genuine desire to find out more.

---

Eventually, Zero's purpose was successfully fulfilled. Pendragon's dawn was rocked by the capture of the alleged arsonist and suspect in the murder of the politician Sawasaki, not by the police, but by an alleged masked vigilante named Zero and his acolytes, the Black Knights. This was broadcast by the media that had collected the testimony of the detainee. The only one who got to see his captors clearly. By noon, no soul was unaware of its existence. The sea of opinions was made. Social media users and ordinary citizens interviewed, for the most part, welcomed Zero's feat with furious exultation to the detriment of the police's performance, as he had tracked and caught quickly and efficiently a murderer that the police had been hunting for a long time. Almost seventy-two hours. Maybe it was what they needed. They were fed up with the news of the underworld, the deaths and the disappearances. At the boiling point of the day, some officials came out to express their disapproval and, although their mouths didn't waver, their eyes were teary. They were afraid of Zero's actions and how they would resonate with people.

Suzaku chose to hand over the suspects to the police, shortly after the hustle and bustle in front of the prosecution, and went home. The next day or a few hours later, he turned on the television while he was eating breakfast. He put on the news channel and heard people's reactions. He was sad. He didn't want to imagine how disappointed the citizens in Pendragon must be with the justice system to hail a masked man as their protector. At that, they rang the bell. He went to open it. He was shocked to see Euphemia. He had forgotten that it was her turn to take care of Arthur today.

Suzaku realized the looks he was on and felt embarrassed. If he had remembered, he would've dressed in something better than plaid pants and a baggy shirt. Did he wake up that late? He wanted to see the time, but it didn't seem right to turn his back on Euphemia.

"Hello, Suzaku!" She greeted him happily. "Sorry I came so early. Today my schedule is full and I couldn't come later. Is it okay if I step in?"

"O-of course!"

What could he do? Besides, he couldn't deny that he liked her visit. She entered. Attracted by the voices on the television, she followed them into the living room. Arthur went with her, at first; then took a detour. Euphemia was familiar with the house then. She put down a bamboo pot she had brought with her and glanced at what the television was tuning in.

"Oh, Zero!" She exclaimed. Suzaku stood next to her. "Did you watch the news?"

"I listened to people's opinions, most of all," he clarified. "What do you think about this?"

"It's complicated…" Euphemia hesitated.

"Try it," Suzaku encouraged, smiling, laying down on the couch.

"Well," she began without avoiding returning his smile. Somehow, Suzaku managed or had something that made her feel comfortable. "I understand the people. Insecurity has taken root as one of our worst problems and Zero offers an effective solution, even if it's outside the law. It's normal for people to consider it a hope. He's the hero they want indeed, but not the one they need. And Zero is an ordinary citizen. What he does is dangerous not only against whom he'll fight, but for himself," she explained. Immediately, she glanced at her interlocutor, who had adopted an attentive expression. "And you?"

"My opinion is similar. I believe that Zero's intentions are noble; however, I cannot consent to what he's proposing. Not like he plans to do it," Suzaku emphasized, steepening his voice in that sentence. "That didn't occur to me. It's true. Zero is another common citizen driven by fury and the desire for justice. Neither the system nor the laws are perfect, nor are all people infallible or incorruptible, not all," he admitted with a sigh, "but they can change. If all good men came together, we would make a difference," he stated confidently. He laughed to himself after a pause. He ran his hand over his head in shame. "You must see me as an idealist and a fool. Go ahead. That's what several people tell me."

"Idealist perhaps. Silly, I don't think so. I hope you find more people like you!" She expresses.

Immeasurable relief and amusement washed over him. The happiness he knew wasn't even a shadow of what he was feeling. There was a person in town who didn't judge him as a fool.

"Thanks. And what is this?" Suzaku changed the subject, referring to the plant.

"It's yours!" Euphemia stammered, as if remembering why she was there. "I saw it on the way to your apartment and it made me think of the metaphor you told me. It is perfect for you because it is an artificial bamboo. You won't have to worry about watering it or anything," she added, excited by her own explanation. "You know what I like about bamboo, Suzaku? That always ascends in search of the light. It's what you must do," she dictated. "Do you like it?"

"I love it. Thank you very much," Suzaku replied, moved. Was he going to stop thanking this woman at some point? The answer was no.

He wasn't a plant lover nor did he have exotic tastes, but that she bought it for the meaning it held to his family was what made it special.

"You're welcome!" She replied, madly happy. "Suzaku, I didn't just come for Arthur and to give you this gift. There's another reason," she pointed out, lowering her voice and being serious. "My dad would like you to come to our house. He says he has something to show you. He didn't tell me what and I didn't mean to be nosy."

"I don't know."

"Oh! So much that he would love you to go," she lamented, pouting.

"Really?"

The naive prosecutor wasn't able to run away from female tactics, unlike his childhood friend. He really didn't want to go. It was surely a ploy to convince him to support his presidential campaign, something that he was opposed to. Well he would be lying if he didn't confess that he would like to know what President Charles wanted to show him. He was about to give in to the girl's charms when his cell phone rang. He apologized to her and went to take the call. It was prosecutor Waldstein. He demanded his presence in his office as soon as possible.

---

Kallen was in an excellent mood that morning. Not because of her wound, which, although it no longer hurt as much as it used to, did sting a bit when she moved roughly and, unfortunately, she used to forget that she wasn't fully recovered. Not to mention, because of her recent talk with C.C., every time she looked at her stitches while dressing her thoughts were channeled towards Lelouch, which made her nervous. The cause was breakfast. Ohgi had decided to make Miso ramen, one of her favorite dishes. Those days he had been very attentive to her because of her injury; therefore, he was taking care of cooking and washing dishes without asking for anything. However, that was just the beginning. While they were eating, he told her about Zero, the Black Knights, what they had done and what they planned to do in the long term. Although Kallen didn't express her opinion, a smile touched her lips as she spooned the soup into her mouth.

Later, she went to the firm. There were C.C. and Tamaki. C.C. was sprawled on the couch smoking. Tamaki was sprawled out on the adjoining chair. He watched television while lazily yawning and tearing a testicle. Lelouch hadn't arrived. Kallen went to her office, but since Vice President Kirihara's case was closed and no new clients had come, she ended up getting bored and emigrated to where there were people.

"Where's Lelouch? Will he give us something to do?" She complained.

"He didn't come back home," C.C. replied, watching the spirals her cigarette smoke created. "He must have spent the night with some woman."

"Oh yeah! Lelouch is a heartthrob," Tamaki laughed, turning off the television. "He told me once that a sexy whore with a nice butt and huge breasts didn't charge him after they fucked."

"Pfff! That must be a lie," Kallen snorted in disbelief. "That idiot would say anything to show off."

"Actually, Tamaki forgot to mention the most relevant detail: she told me she didn't charge me since she hadn't been with a handsome young client in months. I've never been offended so much in my life! I went to pay for a service. We didn't have casual sex or make love."

Startled, Kallen turned away. Lelouch was standing behind her. C.C. giggled, clearly amused. Tamaki quickly joined her. Kallen made a face. Her dislike of him was no secret. Still, it was awkward to have been caught talking behind his back.

"Where did you come from?! Ten seconds ago, you weren't there."

"From the depths of hell," Lelouch replied with a playful smile. Kallen snorted. At least they agreed on that. The lawyer moved to the center of the room to focus the attention of his employees. "We've got a new case. Dr. Bartley Asprius is accused of arson and murdering candidate Atsushi Sawazaki. We'll represent him in court."

"What?! Why?" Kallen protested. "He's a bad person. They locked him up for something."

"We're lawyers, charlatan. Our job isn't to judge our customers. Keep in mind that not all the defendants we'll represent are going to be innocent," Lelouch observed circumspectly.

"And why are we going to defend this one justly? He hasn't hired us, has he?"

"Because it's a high-profile case. We'll be in everyone's sights. If we win, we'll have the wealthy lining up in front of us with bags of money and if we lose, we'll have received good pay for being a difficult case."

Was that a fucking joke? No! He would do it just for publicity! How could women like a guy with such a disgusting personality? Being arrogant wasn't enough; he had to be greedy. Frustrated, Kallen rubbed her forehead and narrowed her eyes, dedicating him, incidentally, that stern look that she gave him every time she reproached his attitude. The cynicism in his tone was the icing on the cake.

"You're mean."

"Yes, Kallen. I'm very evil," he confirmed, snaking toward her. His face lit up with a dangerous smile that quickened his pulse. "I owe my wickedness to women. Throughout my life, I grew up surrounded by women. I sensed that they made up for their physical handicap with their tongue. Casually, I wasn't very strong either and this discovery suited me well. I saw in language a weapon much more lethal than force itself."

Being such a twisted man, it was no wonder his humor was too. She was tempted to laugh just because he was smart enough to go along with it and joke, although that statement was meant seriously. She contained the desire because she didn't want to become an accomplice.

"Don't throw shit on women justifying the way you are," Kallen warned. "You won't say anything?!" She asked, turning to C.C., impassive.

"Say what? I'm a piece of furniture," she excused herself listlessly.

"The most beautiful piece of furniture I've ever seen," Tamaki added.

He wanted to lie down next to her. C.C. pushed him away by kicking into the air. The redhead frowned. Was it a pretext for not intruding, or did she think she wasn't a person? It was too far-fetched to be the first choice. She would never know when that woman was serious and when she wasn't, definitely.

"I'm sure I can convince him to hire us and turn himself in. To do this, I've to visit him in prison," Lelouch commented. "C.C., I need you to go to your crazy ex-boyfriend and ask him to simulate an attack on Asprius. I'll buy you a pizza if you do."

"Deal."

"Did you freak out?!" Kallen questioned, raising her voice madly. "Look, one thing is for you to go lie to get things on your way and another is to organize an attack."

"It won't be a real attack. It's another lie," he countered. Seeing Kallen's cute disoriented expression, Lelouch explained to her with a smile. It was vital that she understand. "The truth is a matter of perspective. A lie can sound like the truth and a truth can sound like a lie. In the end, anything goes as long as it is credible."

"That's your philosophy of life, isn't it?"

"Okay, we'll go in my car," he laughed, omitting her hint.

"Sure," she growled, resigning herself. "Just one thing: the last time you asked me not to intervene and I agreed because I had no idea of the fucking case. This time you'll either leave me or find yourself a puppet."

If that was her condition, he had no qualms about agreeing. Lelouch asked C.C. to let them take the advantage for fifteen minutes. Better to avoid getting together to dilute suspicions. He put Tamaki in the care of the firm and to rehearse a script he had written, which he assured would be the key to the next stage of his plan. He suggested practicing with C.C. the first few times to guide himself.

As she waited for him, turning next to his dazzling Volvo, Kallen repeated her words to herself. He had a point, even if she didn't like to admit it. With his silver tongue and sharp mind, Lelouch could persuade him to surrender. She had already seen its power on other occasions. Against her wishes, Lelouch had earned the benefit of the doubt.

---

Suzaku met Gino in the hall in the direction of the chief prosecutor's office. He told him that he had also been summoned by a message, so curiosity doubled in both of them. Would they work together? They couldn't think of anything else. Anyway, they would find out shortly. They entered and greeted their boss. He soberly returned the gesture without even looking up. He was reading some papers. He left them standing, as if he had no idea they were there, until he was done. He took off his monocle.

"Good. The two must be aware that Bartley Asprius was taken into custody. He's the prime suspect in the murder of Atsushi Sawazaki. It will be the largest case we have had since we prosecuted the vice president of Britannia Corps. The media will be a problem: they'll cover everything. Lawyer Gottwald indicated that he'll defend him in court in a statement to the press," he explained. "Prosecutor Weinberg, you'll be assigned to this case. You can request support if you wish. Try to win."

"Yes, sir," Gino agreed.

"Get back and be prepared for the first trial."

Gino obeyed. Suzaku was speechless. He wanted to reserve that case! However, Prosecutor Waldstein, no, Britannia Corps had taken it away from him. In a fit, he leaned over him, planting his hands on the desk noisily.

"Sir! I'm sorry. With the respect that you and Gino deserve, that case should be mine..."

"You just worked on an important case and lost it; do you want another? How ambitious!" He pointed mockingly. Suzaku leaned back, as if remembering his place. He wasn't berating him on the surface, although he didn't like that he had rubbed his "defeat" on him. Did he just want to lock up those who judge without regard to their innocence or guilt? Inadmissible. "Don't worry, prosecutor Kururugi, you'll still have a more relevant case than your colleague's. I'm going to designate you as Zero," he declared. Suzaku's eyes widened. "Despite the fact that the citizens acclaim him as a hero and will protest as soon as they know our position, we can't set a man free who has violated the law. You must understand and I know that you've the determination to take this case to its final consequences. Is that good?"

The rhetorical question was unnecessary: orders aren't subject to discussion. He was formulating it just to make sure it was clear. He had no choice but to nod. Did prosecutor Waldstein put him in Zero's case to alienate him from those involving the Britannia Corps or did he just assign him because he was the fittest to solve it? Be that as it may, he was inside.

---

Lelouch and Kallen were waiting for their future client on the other side of the jail's visiting booth, on the freedom side. Asprius took a few minutes. As soon as he laid eyes on them, he recognized them. The lawyer Lamperouge, who had given a lot to talk about these days for having released the vice president of Britannia Corps. He had seen the redhead at the Britannia party. Her beauty hadn't gone unnoticed by anyone. He didn't have the pleasure of exchanging words with her, as he did with Lamperouge. Therefore, he didn't know her name. Either way, this visit obfuscated him. He barely knew how to take it. He was sure of just one thing, yes. He would've preferred his lawyer to come. It was unbearable to be in jail in the company of murderers, rapists and pedophiles. He wasn't like them. He never would be. Asprius couldn't wait to get out. He would feel more reassured if his lawyer shared his strategies with him. With some hesitation, Asprius sat down.

"Nice to meet you again, Dr. Asprius. Sorry if I skip the question that happens to greetings. I think it's obvious that you're not doing well in those circumstances. I don't know if you happen to remember me. We met a month ago at the Britannia mansion. I'm Lelouch Lamperouge, lawyer," he said, pulling a business card out of his pocket and holding it up against the glass. "This is Kallen Stadtfeld, my secretary. We came over because we're interested in taking your case."

"I'm sorry, I already have a lawyer," he said laconically.

"Yes, Lawyer Jeremiah Gottwald, the best of Pendragon. You must be calm, I suppose," he pointed out. Dr. Asprius crossed his arms and took a deep breath sending a quick glance to the floor. "Although, there's something that intrigues me, why would President Charles lend his company's lawyer at your trial?" He asked, first spotting the convict and then Kallen as a way to get his attention.

"President Charles and I are friends," he replied. "He understands my unfair situation and is kind enough to get me a lawyer."

"Sure, that has to be it. You've nothing to offer president Charles like reporter Ried or Rector Stadtfeld to help him boost his influence, rise to power and consolidate it. In contrast, you're the one who owes your success to the Britannia Corps! You're insignificant, no offense," he added with a smile. Lelouch shifted his leg position and laced his fingers together in his lap. "You know, you shouldn't trust Charles zi Britannia. Weren't you curious that former Vice President Kirihara decided to replace Lawyer Gottwald by hiring me? Lawyer-client confidentiality doesn't allow me to disclose many details. However, I can tell you that he told me that he distrusted them. It's weird, being a central character in the company, why would president Charles want to get rid of him? I mean, destroying his reputation and putting him in jail was a neat way to do it," the young lawyer questioned in a seemingly harmless tone. A cloud darkened the prisoner's face. The questions had clicked in his head. "Ask yourselves, man, why are you imprisoned and not dead? Unless he has a reason to spare your life, President Charles would try to kill you...

"Or lock you up for life," Kallen murmured subtly.

"If you murdered Sawazaki on his orders…" Lelouch continued.

"I'm not a murderer! I'm innocent!" Dr. Asprius snapped back violently, as if it were the umpteenth time, he'd clarified it.

"I'm not a lawyer either. I'm a problem solver with an admission to law," Lelouch replied sarcastically. Kallen sighed rolling her eyes. Dr. Asprius didn't treat him as assiduously, so he couldn't tell he was scoffing. "And you've a problem that we can solve."

"And don't you think that if they haven't tried to kill me it's because President Charles has nothing to do with it and I'm innocent?" He argued.

"You see you're agreeing with me? If you didn't kill him, someone else did and that person wants you to take full responsibility. To cover up the truth, wouldn't it be safer to delete it?"

Lelouch stopped speaking so that the prisoner could logically assess the situation.

"Perhaps you should listen to the reasons why you should hire our services," Kallen interjected, taking advantage of the silence.

"Listen, doctor. Just as I got Kirihara out, I would make sure you get out of jail. My success rate is 100%. I never bet on a case that I'm going to lose."

"My lawyer told me exactly the same thing." He laughed skeptically.

"The truth is, it's possible to win the case," Kallen added. "From what we were able to study: the evidence against you is circumstantial and easy to explain. Depending on the position attributed by the prosecution, preparing the defense can be more or less simple."

"Basically, if your lawyer loses at the trial it was because he wanted to," Lelouch pointed out.

"Why do you both want my case? It's not usual for lawyers to be the ones who ask their clients to defend them. What do you want from me? Don't you have money? Do you think you're doing a good deed to protect me from the Britannia Corps?"

"Don't worry about us and think of yourself. What do you want? Be out of here?" Lelouch answered, elusive. "You've our firm's number there. I advise you to memorize it if you want."

Visiting time expired. Kallen and Lelouch had to say goodbye. As they left the penitentiary, the woman rewound each one's interventions in her mind, trying to reorder and study them. She had many mixed thoughts. She didn't think they had convinced the doctor. However, Lelouch's distinctive cool calm hadn't left his expression. Did that mean everything was going according to plan? Kallen remembered that Lelouch got an Ace up his sleeve that he had left to use. With a baiting question, Lelouch made him see how of little use he was to Charles and how he manipulated him to murder a man. If the president of the Britannia Corps turned out to be the mastermind of this crime and Dr. Asprius was just an accomplice, he was a threat. An attack would be the confirmation of that idea. Of course, if he still hesitated, they couldn't do anything. And if the Britannia Corps made him a successful man, as Lelouch said, it would be more difficult to demolish his confidence. The coup de grace would be that, in the end, Lawyer Gottwald lost in such an obvious way that it served as a slap to Dr. Asprius and it was, therefore, that he emphasized that it was an impossible case to lose. Certainly, Lelouch thought more agile than anyone she has ever met as if he had foreseen the scenario beforehand. Scary!

"Do you really think Dr. Asprius is guilty?" Kallen asked.

By natural law, a lawyer trusts his entire client, and when he categorically maintained that he wasn't a murderer, Lelouch was sarcastic by way of giving his opinion and, at the same time, playing his game. Or, at least, it gave her that impression.

"If he doesn't have anything to hide, there's no point running away from the crime scene."

"He might think the trial was going to be rigged or he was scared. People do stupid things when they allow fear to guide their actions," Kallen suggested. "Or maybe he's guilty. He was nervous and very reticent. He doesn't even trust his excellent lawyer, didn't that seem strange to you?"

"You noticed, huh?" He smiled, pleasantly surprised. He turned to her, giving her a greedy look. "You're better than I thought."

The woman straightened her shoulders and raised her chin to his face. At the same time, she was trying to get it into her head that the red in her ears and cheeks was due to the weather and not to Lelouch's compliment. She puffed out her chest with pride.

"Don't underestimate me. The fact that I don't have your lip doesn't make me less competent than you are," she grumbled with conviction. "Why do you think it is? Based on your powerful deductive skills."

"I don't think he met with him or received any messages from Charles. Possibly the only thing he has as guarantees of his speedy freedom are his own words, but promises are things that the wind blows away. So, he holds into his trust on Charles zi Britannia and the facts to stand by his decision."

"It will be complicated. He seemed ready to defend Charles to death."

"Trust is like a wall, charlatan: at first glance, it is solid," the lawyer observed with an evil smile. "But there's no wall that cannot collapse or break."

Kallen took a deep breath and crossed her arms.

"I thought you were going to convince him to turn himself in," she reminded him incisively. "That's what you said."

"Let's take one step at once. You saw he was defensive to us. Let's make sure he hires us first and then we'll plan the defense."

"I want you to tell me what you're planning!" Kallen demanded, uncrossing her arms. While she was making a claim, her tone rather sounded like a plea. "How can I help you or do something if you don't tell me anything? I must have looked stupid reacting just as surprised as Bartley Asprius for everything you blurted out. I don't like you leaving me out, Lelouch! Okay?!"

"That's true. I promise I'll tell you about my plans accurately," Lelouch conceded. His smile broadened. He seemed to be amused by her displeasure or was trying to cheer her up. Who the hell understood him? "If it's any consolation, you did well," he added. She wasn't convinced. "Accompany me. I'd like to take a look at the crime scene."

His intentions declared, Lelouch resumed his march, setting the beat. Kallen exhaled ostensibly and went after him.

---

C.C. slumped lazily into the chair facing the inmate in the visiting booth. Even though there was a glass in the way, she didn't feel like it could contain him. During the first few minutes of the visit, they recognized each other through their gaze. The last time C.C. saw Mao was five years ago outside his building, being escorted by the police. He was handcuffed. Before getting into the cruiser, he glanced over his shoulder to kiss her goodbye. Later, she heard that he would be transferred to Pendragon and now fate was bringing him back to her when they moved.

Years didn't pass over C.C. The fine complexion, the narrowed eyelids, the thin lips like two sharpen sandpaper and the drooping corners. It was her! She must have been thirty, but she retained a boyish charm. That pleased him. It felt as if nothing had changed. Excited, Mao laughed haltingly. He leaned down to admire her closely and unconsciously raised his fingers to his mouth.

The woman's shoulders were tense and her eyes were vacant. She was so focused on her breathing that she forgot the strategy she had in mind. The prisoner's bulging eyes and tousled white hair made him look insane.

"Hello, Mao," she finally said, blinking. "It has been a while already."

"A lot," he smiled, biting his nails. "I knew that one day you would come to see me."

"True. There's always been a special connection between us." She nodded, forcing herself to return a sheepish smile. "Isn't it ironic? You left one cell to enter another. You shouldn't have been doing well."

"How cute you are for worrying!" He exclaimed, moved by her words. "I've managed," he said, shrugging. "I entertain myself by counting the days until we get back together. Not so much is left. I even drew you on my wall. It doesn't console me more than hearing your screams in my dreams, but that's how I feel you're still with me."

Having adjoining cells, Mao and C.C. they were familiar with each other's screams. Horrible, although true.

"Even after all these years you still think of me. You mean if I asked you a favor, would you do it?"

"Everything for you," he declared, still with his fingers in his mouth and staring at her intently.

"I need you to go to a man named Bartley Asprius and attack him. Don't kill him. The intention's that he believe he's the victim of an attack."

The smile swept from Mao's face. He lowered his hand. C.C. noticed that he had almost no fingernails.

"He asked you, didn't he?" He ruminated.

"Are you jealous?" C.C. asked, playing innocent.

"Of course!" Mao barked, slapping his hand against the glass. The gesture caught C.C. who flinched. "That damn bastard was the one who took you away from me!"

"You shouldn't," she replied soothingly, placing her hand on the glass so that it appeared to be touching his. "Lelouch despises me for my past. I'm nothing but a criminal. There's always disgust in his eyes. For him, I represent the worst of human beings. It's hell to be with someone like that!" The break in her voice alerted Mao, who leaned forward anxiously. "He doesn't consider me his equal. I'm a tool to his ends," she sobbed. "Or that's what I let him believe," C.C. added coldly. She sniffed and wiped her watery eyes carefully so as not to ruin the mascara. "I'm only with him because our goals are aligned. You can read my mind. You know then that I'm telling you the truth, right?"

"I know," Mao agreed with obvious concern.

"And you just said you would do anything for me. Don't you want to help me?"

"Yes…"

"Then help me by helping him," she urged. "I'm asking you to do it for me, for us."

There was a long pause in which nothing else could be heard the hammering of Mao's finger against the surface. C.C. waited, still. Suddenly, he exhaled through his mouth with such force that it fogged the glass. He moistened his finger with his tongue and outlined a heart.

"You should've started by explaining how important this was to you." His lips twisted into a strange smile. "Alright, my beloved C.C., I'll do it. For you, not for him!" He emphasized writing "C.C." inside the figure.

"Thanks, Mao".

"Will you visit me again soon?"

"It's very possible."

"Perfect," Mao replied. She got up to leave. She had done her job. "Oh, C.C.! When I'm paroled, I'll find my rival, dismember him, and deliver the pieces to you one by one in a nice wrapped box." The woman slowly turned to him, who was still motionless in his seat. The man said nothing until he burst into a breathless laugh. "Don't listen to me! That is a cricket that I have in my head and sometimes it talks..."

C.C. nodded slowly. Once she closed the door behind her, she clung to it and exhaled as if she had held the air for centuries.

---

Kallen and Lelouch arrived at the crime scene. The detective, the police and the criminalists had left their mark as a sign that they were there: a seal surrounded the house restricting access. On the outside, it was in good condition. Inside, it was all black. There was no one around, Lelouch lifted the tape and slid underneath. Kallen hesitated. It was one thing to take a look, as he said; another was trespassing on a crime scene, which they were forbidden to enter. But she didn't feel like staying outside either: it made her look more suspicious. So, reluctantly, Kallen entered. Indoors the furniture store had been charred. There was rubble and ash everywhere. Lelouch was in the room firing flashes with the cell phone camera. Of course! She must have assumed it was another lie. At this, Lelouch bent down and picked up with his handkerchief a piece of a lamp or a broken vase.

"Hey, you!" A voice burst out. Lelouch left the fragment he found where it was, straightened up, and tucked his cell phone into his jacket. "What are you both doing here?"

The owner of the voice was a police officer who came along with others and an uneven couple who weren't wearing uniforms. The man was tall and athletic. The woman was small and expressionless.

"We were watching," Lelouch replied lightly. "If you will be so kind as to allow us, I'm going to introduce ourselves: I'm Lelouch Lamperouge and she is Kallen Stadtfeld. We're lawyers. And you two are…?

"They're prosecutors Gino Weinberg and Anya Alstreim," Kallen intervened. "Are you going to work on this case together?"

"That's correct," Gino smiled, winking at her. "I haven't seen you from the pizzeria, Kallen. I passed by several times and I was saddened not to greet you. Does that mean they gave you the license back and we'll see you in court?"

"No, remember that Lawyer Gottwald will represent the defense," Anya interrupted, barely moving her lips. "So, you're the lawyer Lamperouge. I've heard a great deal about you. Are you here to steal another case from your colleague?"

Gino shot his partner a look, censuring her for that indiscreet question and her lack of tact. Lelouch chuckled, not offended at all. You could say that he had gotten a lot of practice out of the frank and forthright people with C.C. and Kallen, later.

"I'm flattered knowing you've been researching me," Lelouch said, scratching an eyebrow. "I must seem curious to you. I fear that it's a bad attitude that I have ingrained from my youth. I like to bet on big cases and fortunately I have never failed when I decide to get my hands on a case. I don't stop until I make it mine," he confessed with a mysterious smile.

Lelouch's eyes rolled over to where Kallen was at, realizing that she was looking at him, felt her neck redden. "What was he doing? Why was he telling the prosecutors that?" The redhead was urged to get involved by replying to Anya, though she addressed both of them:

"Don't get us wrong. We were just passing through and, technically, it's not illegal to watch. We'll leave immediately so as not to disturb you anymore."

"It would never have occurred to me if I saw you both together, but you make a good couple."

"It's true. A successful lawyer and an ass-busting lawyer make a good team. Too bad the prosecutor isn't up to our standards."

Kallen left with an unfriendly face. She couldn't wait to pounce on the prosecutor's neck with another nasty innuendo like that. Already her colleagues branded her as an unethical lawyer for attacking that judge. It would provoke them more if she earned a reputation as a violent woman. Lelouch was on her heels, stealthy.

"You defended me."

"Don't set fireworks," she roared. Her back was turned to him, yet she imagined him with that irritating mocking smile. "I don't like prosecutor Alstreim. I said that to annoy her."

"Still, it was an uninhibited reply," he insisted. "It seems to me that you don't hate me as much as you think. Who'd say. You can be a good liar, charlatan. Just like me."

"Have you seen my heart to know what I feel?!" She yelled, standing up and facing him, giving him a chance to catch up with her. He was about to answer her when he felt a slight prick in his left eye, he instinctively closed it. "What's wrong?" She asked suspiciously when she saw how he was holding onto his head.

"Don't worry. It's a migraine. I'm prone to them."

"Oh yeah? Isn't it another invention?"

Lelouch had no need to reply, nor did the discussion have to drift into an unpleasant or uncomfortable brawl because his cell phone rang. Without losing his focus, he pulled it out of his pocket and verified who it was. It was Suzaku.

"Yes?"

"Lelouch?" Hello! It's Suzaku. Are you free right now?"

"Not really although I'm not alone. Kallen's with me."

"Even better! I want to invite you to eat at Pizza Hut. Kallen knows where it is. I would like you to accept, there's something I need to consult with you," Suzaku stammered immediately pausing, as if he didn't know what words to use.

"Okay. I don't see why it would be wrong to go," Lelouch agreed.

"Great. I'll see you there," he said, before hanging up.

"Well, we've been invited to have pizza," Lelouch announced to the redhead, putting the cell phone away. "I hope you're hungry."

---

Lelouch hadn't been to a pizza parlor since his teens. Why? Aside from the usual absorption of work, he lacks of initiative. Either way, he continued to order them at home. Pizza was maybe his favorite fast food, if not his most consumed. He and Kallen went to the establishment. As soon as he parked, they got out and went inside. The turnout was moderate. A delicious smell of pizza was blowing from the kitchen. It was snack time. They looked around. Suzaku wasn't there; however, they distinguished C.C. sitting at one of the circular tables in the back eating a pepperoni and anchovy pizza. Lelouch started toward her, automatically. C.C. rendered them two fleeting glances without stopping eating.

"Your pizza looks delicious," Lelouch observed, fighting his irritation. C.C. nodded nonchalantly. "How did you buy it?"

"Not me, you did it with your debit card," she explained, wiping the melted cheese and sauce with her napkin. She brushed her hands on her thighs and pulled out a blue card from her purse on the adjacent seat. Lelouch tore it from her. "You offered it to me. Remember."

"I have to change the security password again…" he muttered, tucking it into his wallet.

"I'd find out again or force the box."

"At least I assume you did your job," Lelouch grumbled.

"Have I ever failed you?" C.C. replied, taking another slice.

Lelouch didn't get to answer him because Suzaku crossed the threshold of the pizzeria. He spotted his friend and Kallen and joined them relatively quickly.

"Hey! Lelouch! Kallen!" He exclaimed. "I'm here. I hope I'm not delayed."

"Absolutely. We had just arrived here," Lelouch clarified. Suzaku smiled, relieved. He glanced at Kallen and then at C.C. "This is my secretary. She has been working with me since I graduated from college. She prefers to be called C.C."

"C.C.? It's an, uh, unusual name. Nice to meet you," he greeted, extending his hand cordially. "I'm Suzaku Kururugi."

C.C. looked at Suzaku with wide eyes and then looked down at his hands. She checked which one was cleaner and with that one she shook it with some discomfort.

"Nice to meet you too".

"Cool! Let's sit together," Suzaku suggested.

Kallen slumped into the seat next to C.C., which left Lelouch and Suzaku the only option to sit side by side in front of them. They had a hard time agreeing on the pizza they would order. Either someone didn't like a condiment or it caused an allergy. Ultimately, they voted unanimously that it was best to order two family pizzas and a few sodas. Spontaneously, on that triviality the conversation turned. They commented on the varieties they had tried, the ones they would like to eat, their preferences, the pizzerias they had gone to, and they compared their prices and the flavors of their pizzas. It was a friendly and dynamic discussion. Even C.C., who adopted a taciturn attitude in conversations of more or less large groups, participated. It was such a great atmosphere.

Not well, as soon as they reached for the pizzas and sodas that had been brought to them, they realized that they locked themselves in a bubble. On television and at neighboring tables, Zero and his Black Knights (and forceful communiqués from law enforcement officials) were the subject of dispute. Discontinuous fractions of the dialogues flew into their ears. No one spoke a word at Lelouch, Suzaku, Kallen and C.C.'s table. No one, not at all, until…

"What do you think of Zero?"

… Suzaku made up his mind. Ultimately, for this, he had summoned Lelouch. He raised his eyes for a few seconds, blinked, and fixed them on his plate again. C.C. nibbled on the tip of her pizza, pretending that the question wasn't with her, at once of the fact that the cheese trickled down her chin. Seeing that the Viper Tongue wasn't going to make any witty comment, surprisingly, Kallen intervened:

"Do you want the short or extended version?" She inquired. "Zero is the best thing that has happened to this fucking city in years."

Kallen gulped down the edge of crusty bread. Suzaku stared at her steadily.

"Maybe. He found and locked up those criminals practically alone, but…" Suzaku pursed his lips. "He cautiously resumed after a dubious pause. "It's illegal to put a person in a box and send it to the prosecution. That's kidnapping and false imprisonment. It doesn't make him any different from other criminals who break a couple of laws one night."

"You can't compare Zero to other criminals," Kallen growled. "He was able to kill those two guys and instead sent them to the prosecution to be judged."

"You're right," Suzaku conceded once more. "But, to put a person under arrest, you need a warrant. You don't do it arbitrarily. Nor do you exert force. And Zero resorted to violence to obtain information."

"A masked man who attacks others left and right as if he was the justice itself! He must be an arrogant man!" C.C screeched, pretending to be scandalized.

Lelouch fixed his penetrating gaze on C.C. Since his chin was buried in his neck, his bangs overshadowed himself, giving Lelouch a sinister look. C.C. winked him mischievously. She took another big bite of his pizza. Kallen snorted.

"Well, all of us here study the law in one way or another," she affirmed, rolling his eyes at the three diners. C.C. could be a secretary; however, working with a lawyer, she needed to have some basic notions. "That's clear to us. But you won't pretend they were going to ask him for tea. Zero spoke to that dealer in the language criminals understand. He did what was necessary."

"The point is, it's still illegal," Lelouch interceded softly. "Doing what's necessary isn't always up to the standard of the law."

"Wait! What?! You too?!" Kallen barked.

"And it doesn't justify the fact he has causes fractures to him. A criminal is still a person and Zero violated his human rights," Suzaku added. Lelouch, for the first time in the debate, peeped at him. His eyes flashed. "I'm concerned that citizens will look up to him, to be honest. Zero isn't an example to follow; he's a lunatic," he emphasized, "Even though he's on our side, punishing with violence doesn't solve anything."

"Perhaps we wouldn't have this conversation or Zero ever existed today if justice had done its part," Kallen snapped, leaning back on her chair rudely.

"Kallen, justice does work. It's slow, but it comes. The system isn't perfect either, but it can change," Suzaku assured without losing his temper. Kallen snorted in disbelief. Suzaku ignored her gesture and continued explaining his point: "With Zero's modus operandi, it's indisputable that everything would be easier and faster as we all wanted. If we don't impose limits, the world will act as it pleases. It would be worse."

"Worse than now?! What the hell could be worse?!" Kallen snapped, frowning at him. "Disappearances are doubling every week; crime is overwhelming and public officials cannot be counted on for fear of corruption and the law does nothing. There's a person out there who noticed it and he's getting shit on his hands for what is right," she explained. Her cheeks were shaking with rage. "Your fucking laws and this rotten world were that created Zero."

In the course of that frantic and passionate speech, C.C. caught a glimpse of Lelouch, who was eating his pizza slowly. There was the hint of a triumphant smile on his lips. C.C. pouted.

"I think this discussion has escalated to another point," C.C. added, with an absent-minded gesture. "Are the limits necessary or are they interference? Would the laws be more efficient if they are amoral?"

"Kallen," Suzaku insisted, still keeping his tone reasonable. "I understand your displeasure and your disappointment. I swear to you that the judicial system does as it can..."

"It does what it can, sure. It also did everything it could for my brother," she spat. Her face had become an unflappable mask. The quiet Kallen was more intimidating than the enraged Kallen. "I'm tired of you three. I'm off."

She put her hands on the table and stood up sharply. The table wobbled. In no minute was she embarrassed to think that she would have liked a masked vigilante to find her brother and beat up the cause of his disappearance. When she left, she still thought the same. C.C. wailed to herself. Now eating would be uncomfortable. She glanced at Suzaku, who was visibly disturbed, and at Lelouch, whose expression was unfathomable. She sensed what they wanted at that moment, so she searched her purse for her pack of cigars and a lighter and announced:

"I'm going to smoke, it's forbidden here."

And she took off. A little more intimate, poor Suzaku sighed sadly.

"Don't worry. Kallen is impetuous, but not unfair. She knows it's not your fault," Lelouch comforted him. "Tomorrow the anger will pass and she'll treat you as usual."

"I know," he whispered in a muffled voice. "But she's right and so is your secretary," he admitted. "The truth is that I understand her better than she supposes. In this job as a prosecutor, sometimes I've reached my limit and I've considered doing the same as Zero..."

"And?" Lelouch asked, hiding his curiosity, when Suzaku fell silent.

"I come to the same conclusion," he answered with some resignation: "I can't. If I cross that line, I'll never be able to come back. That's why I can't let someone else do it and luckily, I'm on duty," Suzaku expressed. His friend looked at him without understanding. "Prosecutor Waldstein assigned me the Zero case," he reported. "It was what I wanted to tell you."

Lelouch felt his neck stiffen.

"Are you going to catch Zero?" He asked, in disbelief. "I'm sure you'll do! I don't wish you luck because you are a terrific prosecutor."

"Thank you, Lelouch," Suzaku smiled at him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You're a good friend. I'm glad to know that you understand me."

He was alluding to the recent debate, as Lelouch had sided with his prosecutor friend. Indeed, we know the truth written in his heart.

---

Lelouch showed up at his house on time to have dinner with his sister. Last time he couldn't eat with her because he was invited to the Britannia mansion and it was important not to miss that dinner. That day he would also go out with Euphemia li Britannia, however, he could be with Nunnally for a while before going to his appointment. With the intense pace of office work, they could no longer enjoy each other's company as much as they did when they were a student, leading the siblings to learn to appreciate each moment. Plus, from time to time, he could screw it all up and elope with her for an afternoon on a family plan.

Another positive thing was Sayoko, the Japanese woman maid who had been in their service since they were in the Ashfords' care. Her priority was to attend to both of them, but she had favored young Lamperouge for reasons that the reader can easily conceive. To Nunnally, Sayoko was a member of her special little family and he was grateful to her unparalleled dedication. As long as she was there, he could rest assured that his little sister was in good hands.

"I heard on the news that you proved the Britannia Corps vice president's innocence," Nunnally commented. "You talked me you were working on a sexual harassment case. You didn't tell me the details and I didn't ask you why you don't usually share that data with me..."

"I didn't want to make you uncomfortable, sorry," Lelouch murmured. "I know I shouldn't have been involved in a case involving the Britannia Corps. That company did us a lot of damage in the past. But I refused to leave this innocent man to his fate."

"I know it seems that I'm the one with the greatest reason to hate the Britannia Corps," she hinted, resting her frail arms on those of her wheelchair, "but that's far from the truth. The resentment doesn't produce anything good, neither for the one who harvests it nor where it planted," she sentenced. "Don't underestimate my comprehension, dear brother."

"I won't."

"Well, I'm proud that you did the right thing." She smiled at him from ear to ear. "You're going out with a woman today, right?"

"Yes."

"Uhm!" Nunnally hesitated. "I would feel calmer if you went out with only one woman every so often," she indicated, weighing the effect of the phrases that were forming in her beautiful little head. "Don't take it bad. I respect your private life. It's just that I… I've wondered if you haven't thought of getting married."

"I haven't really thought about it," he confessed.

He didn't like to lie to his little sister. He told her the truth…, whenever he could.

"I do. You know, I've dared to imagine what your ideal partner would be like," Nunnally said, smiling. Allowing herself to be carried away by her imagination, she began to paint it for her brother to visualize, with the vague illusion that this image would be recorded in her mind. "I think it would have to be a gentle, sincere woman who loves you and cares deeply about you and with character to prevent you from doing crazy things!"

"Me?! Crazy things?" Lelouch questioned, gladly dumbfounded.

"Forgive me for contradicting you, dear brother. When an idea fixes itself in your head, be it good or bad, there's no god to take it away from you. You would move heaven and earth to make it come true."

"Hahaha! How well you know me!"

"It's because I'm your sister," she stressed. "As a bonus, she would be pretty and, most importantly; she would make you very happy! Tell me, don't you think the same?"

"Nunnally," Lelouch whispered, softening his voice. His chair moved away from the table without making the slightest noise. The lawyer dropped to one knee and clasped her hands in his lovingly. "I'm already happy, really. We finally have financial stability; I love my job and you're with me. I don't need anyone but you," he assured her, kissing the back of her hand.

"I can't give you the same happiness that a girlfriend could, you know and yes, you've those things, but none can compare to the warmth of a person," Nunnally explained. "I would hate for you to plan your life based on me. I don't want you to stagnate because of me. You're too generous! That's the problem. You should think a little more about yourself. You deserve to be happy; do you understand?" She asked slightly uneasy. It was essential that Lelouch understand that.

"Since when did my sister get so mature?" Lelouch smiled, stroking her head lovingly. "I understand," he stated. "Maybe I haven't thought about getting married because I haven't met the right woman. As soon as I do, I'll introduce her to you. It's a promise," he added, linking her pinky with his.

---

The truth was, he had considered marriage. We already knew it. As well as that this indicated woman was Euphemia li Britannia. Lelouch picked her up at her mansion in his car shortly after that dinner. They would go to the theater. It wasn't a common place for a date. Nevertheless, Euphemia found his old-fashioned style elegant and special as he humbly acknowledged. For two art lovers, moreover, this was an invaluable gift.

The evening show was the most crowded. Lelouch obtained seats in the box to admire the work in its technical, visual and interpretive section, at its entire splendor. Without being taken out of their experience by annoying neighbors, they would see Macbeth. Again, it wasn't a piece that someone would choose to watch as a couple. The lawyer said that he liked to read Shakespeare, when he really meant that he was a huge fan of the English playwright's play, and that was his favorite tragedy, additional reason to attend together. It wasn't for less. Several of the characters' dialogues were known. Sometimes he would lean over sweet Euphemia's ear and recite them to her ruining her concentration with his breath ruffling her hair and blowing her neck, causing her to tickle.

How did it make sense for that icy glow to peek into his eyes, being so warm?

Lelouch had low expectations of the play. In contemporary times, Macbeth couldn't be well represented. It was a work designed to inspire fear. No one was afraid of witches or ghosts or the dark. Technology destroyed those little superstitions. Still, he had to highlight the effects and lighting work, he could see they put a budget into the work, and the overall performances were decent, Lady Macbeth's was superb, as it had to be. Euphemia did get scared sometimes. Not with the supernatural, but the scenes involving the murders of Banquo and MacDuff's son, the scenes that showed the worst in humans, in short. Lelouch watched as she dug her nails into the arms of her chair and her chest rose and fell rapidly. It reminded him of Nunnally when she was a child. Thunder and vermin used to terrify her. If she was near a wall or sitting, she would crouch and close her eyes very tightly; meanwhile Lelouch was taking care of the perverse animal. They both looked just as cute. He took her hand, believing that it was enough to let her know that she wasn't alone. Euphemia thanked him for his generous gesture with an abashed smile. She resigned herself to blush for the rest of the night. She couldn't fight the strong attraction she felt for the handsome lawyer. When the play was done, they went out. They didn't rush to get into the car. Before, they were overcome by a need for air. Macbeth was short, but intense and felt eternal. A cool breeze was blowing that night, thankfully. Once they were ready, they set off for the Britannia mansion.

Along the way, they naturally shared their views of the play. Euphemia had read it when she was a teenager. She didn't remember certain events of the play and was astonished as it was the first time. Lelouch found it marvelous how Shakespeare cleverly conjugated the themes of power, ambition, nightmare and time in a story under the curtain of a spooky everlasting night taken over by creatures of the supernatural, albeit the apotheosis, in his opinion, of that work was that...

"Shakespeare masterfully explores the psyche of a murderer. Macbeth is a dark character. A man destined for tragedy," Lelouch commented without taking his eyes off the wheel. "Ambition had nested in his heart before. The witches and his wife stimulate it. Lady Macbeth is sublime! One of the greatest characters written by Shakespeare. Her death was necessary for him to fall for good. She represented his rational part. I like to see Macbeth as a ship and his wife as the rudder that brought him to safety. A ship without a rudder can only hope to crash into the rocks."

"It's true. Lady Macbeth always appeared when Macbeth was overwhelmed by doubts. She could see from the actor's expression how protected Macbeth felt with her. She was kind of like his battle shield, since he's a warrior," Euphemia pointed out shyly. "I found it nice that they were in love with each other. They weren't just plain accomplices," she added. "What I really loved about the play was that it didn't demonize Macbeth. He was a murderer, but despite everything, he was a man. And Shakespeare shows us through his constant sufferings. He was aware of that and could no longer change it. I felt compassion on him. I daresay he was very miserable carrying that burden on his shoulders."

"Macbeth was obsessive compulsive," Lelouch explained, glancing at his companion in the rearview mirror. "He killed the king to seize power. If he didn't keep shedding more blood, all he did would've been in vain. Even all that he suffered."

"I think it would be incapable of killing. I couldn't," Euphemia whispered, lowering her head down.

"Macbeth did it because it was necessary to fulfill his purpose," Lelouch stated, refocusing his vision on the road ahead. "Many people in real life actually. To be honest, you can kill anyone for other non-premeditated reasons, such as defending someone..."

When Kallen collapsed in front of him, he feared the worst. He pounced on her body, which, for the first time, seemed vulnerable to him. He tried to keep her awake. He begged her to stay with him, however, her eyelids were heavy, she was having a hard time holding them open any longer, and her wound was bleeding profusely. He couldn't stand to survive another murder in which he had to be forced to watch with cruel and painful passivity. His mind was scattered, his heart was in a fist, and then he looked at the gun that was a meter close to him and regained control of himself, coming to mind that it wasn't over: the perpetrator was still there. Everything happened in a minute.

He knew where to put his fingers and where to pull the trigger. He heard the shot and imagined the guy falling. Everything before it happened. He spotted Kallen's blood on his jacket and was filled with determination. It was gruesome. Not because of the contorted limbs or the pieces of brain scattered around or the pool of blood that little by little was painting the pavement. It was from the electrical discharge that the impact sent his senses, his heart and his head, revitalizing them. It was almost terrifying how he could think so calculatingly and coldly at such a time. With deadly diligence, Lelouch concealed the body, returned to Kallen, and checked her vitals, discovering with relief that her pulse was pounding. It was urgent to take her to a hospital. It was beneficial that they were incidentally in a public university. Sometimes they had their own hospitals. He was further relieved to learn that she was out of danger. He had acted on time!

In the early morning of the next day, he returned to the place where he had put the body, wrapped it in the carpet of his car and put it in the trunk. He got rid of it by dumping it down a sewer. In the passing of days, often, when he did anything, out of nowhere, the images of the corpse dragged by the current of black water materialized in his thoughts. His conscience would take its toll on him with sudden musings such as "he was a human being and you're now a murderer" that lashed at him with the harshness of a whip. To which he responded with the same coldness that he did that was necessary to protect himself and Kallen. If he didn't come to the idea that he had to make difficult decisions, he wouldn't be able to carry out his objectives.

Beautiful words couldn't change the world, the actions they promoted did.

He couldn't judge his actions based on the moral compass. Principles didn't share power or revenge. If his will was strong, then he would prevail over situations and hold onto his feelings never to forget what the purpose of his plan was or his humanity. Otherwise, his war would lose its meaning. That moment was a life or death choice, he was against the clock, he had to choose his life or theirs, and what was worth more? A despicable thug or a couple of lawyers with reasons to live? His rhetoric disturbed him in a way that it never did before, although afterwards he was appeased.

The hypnotist who hypnotizes himself was capable of anything.

"I know," Euphemia whispered, bringing him back to where they were. "But I couldn't… live with it. It's easier for me to sacrifice my life before the others."

Euphemia hugged herself. Lelouch knew the cold wasn't from the air conditioning.

"You're brave."

"Oh, I don't think…!"

"You owe it to your disinterest," Lelouch smiled at her. "Not everyone is willing to sacrifice themselves for others. On the other hand, there are people who would exceed the borders to achieve their goals."

"Yes, like Zero..."

"Exactly. What do you think about him?"

He didn't think it would instill suspicion if he asked innocently. It was that everyone was talking about. He could claim it was instigated by curiosity, which was true.

"I'll tell you the same thing I told Suzaku," Euphemia warned. "It's worthy of admiration that an ordinary citizen defends justice; but if he wants to help the rest of the inhabitants of Pendragon, he must remove his mask and join the elected officials, which is their job," she explained, tilting her head towards him. Lelouch returned her glancing gaze. "Zero is a hero, for now, only because he caught two suspected criminals. If he died on one of those nights of surveillance, it would be a martyr and of what use would that be to the city? Nothing. It would be one more tragedy on the event page. Not only is it illegal, It's dangerous. That's why there are institutions. They are the ones who are trained to provide security to the people. And it's their duty, too."

Lelouch gave a dry laugh, pinching the bridge of his nose with two fingers. Pretty Euphemia's eyes widened. She watched him silently.

"Nunnally told me more or less that," he confessed grimly. "She and you seem to be alike. Sometimes I can't help thinking about her when I'm with you."

Although she wasn't technically alluding to Zero, she did say something similar when she learned that he and Kallen were "mugged." Euphemia let out a relieved laugh, which was half laugh, half air.

"Ah! You tell me so much about your sister that I would like to talk to her one day. I'm sorry I didn't know her name when you mentioned her the first time. I'm sure she's a lovable person."

"She is," Lelouch agreed with a smile so painful it had to be genuine. "That day will come. You'll adore her, as she'll adore you. Do you and Suzaku continue to see each other?

"Yes, we're good friends," Euphemia answered in a tremulous voice. "Dad invited him to our robotic engineering lab. I think he's interested in making good friends with him," she added, changing the subject to avoid an awkward situation.

"Did Suzaku accept?"

"He hesitated at first, but he did it. I managed to convince him."

"She managed to convince him." Those words encrypted a second meaning that only the young lawyer was capable of interpreting. The thread of the conversation turned to more superficial topics. Lelouch asked her about the maid who had cut him off by accident. He told her that he would like to clarify that he hadn't feel a grudge against her. Euphemia replied that she was fired. He regretted it. Even when she indicated that it wasn't his fault, he was so sorry that he promised to give her the number of the company that hired Sayoko, the faithful servant who had turned out to be a godsend, to contact it and hire a replacement. Euphemia thanked him.

---

This was their interaction until the car stopped in front of her house. The return trip was less long than he had budgeted it would be. Lelouch came out and opened the door for her. This was the crux of the appointment. Depending on the decision Euphemia chose, the rest was done. If she told him to leave on the spot, they were friends. If she invited him to come in, they were lovers. He read the dilemma in her uncertain expression. She was more distant than on other occasions. Lelouch decided to take the first step. He kissed her slowly. Euphemia responded shyly, still absent. He placed his hand on the small of her back gradually drawing her closer to him. His lips slid down her jaw line, her ear, and then down her pretty long swan neck. He spread kisses around the area. She ran her hand through his hair and kissed his head. He returned to seek her lips and met her eyes that looked at him with an unspeakable sweetness. Lelouch felt his stomach churn. It wasn't lust or fear or shame, it was something else, a feeling that he didn't fully understand. He ignored it. To waver would be, at this very moment, unforgivable. He saw the spark of her love reverberating from the depths of her heart. The decision was made.

Euphemia opened the doors of her home and her room to him. It started out as a gentle kiss. With the care that's taken to the dolls, he stripped her of the clothes while he grazed her eyelids, her cheeks, her lips, her ears, her neck and her shoulders with his mouth. He noticed her a little stiff; so, he worked to relax her with his caresses and kisses. Lelouch had the belt taut in his hand, both literally and metaphorically speaking. Euphemia had given herself to his complete disposal. One by one the garments were falling: the blouse, the bra, the belt, and the pants. The woman felt chills of pleasure cascading through her body, as his lips lit roses of passion as they descended lower and lower. They were so cold it took more than one breath out of her. Finally, he yanked her panties off using his thumbs. With a new, much bolder determination, he pressed his lips together and anchored his fingers to the back of her neck. She hugged him lovingly. Lelouch was cornering her until he carried her on the back in front of the bed.

Naked, he gently pushed her onto the cold sheets. He undressed with shaking hands; with the awkwardness he had lost years ago. He was surprised. He reached into his pants pocket for his wallet and pulled out a condom. She tried to lean out. She wanted to bask in the beauty of his marble body and admire his proportions. She had hunched her shoulders, when Lelouch suddenly placed his mouth between her legs. She whimpered from pleasure to embarrassment and vice versa. She clung to the sheets as she felt his tongue dance sensually across her labia, massaging her clitoris, invoking rituals of howls of ecstasy at the moon.

Just the sheets became damp, like a cat on the lookout for its prey he crawled over her body. Euphemia tried to stroke the folds of his muscles. He grabbed her wrists and planted them on both sides of her head roughly. He wasn't going to let her see or touch him. Nor did he want to see her.

Lelouch always felt that she was the type of woman who liked sweet and warm romances; therefore, he thought of procuring that for her on their first night together. Almost like a "second first time." Overall, women, by nature, were looking for an idyllic love in the first part of a relationship. That was the plan, until everything changed.

Lelouch ran his cold tongue over her belly and navel, showing off his experience. He knew he was on the right track when he felt her squirm under his body. The act that had begun sentimental and candied was approaching a frenzied and dizzying climax. In bed, Lelouch was perfectly capable of disconnecting his cold mind from his burning body. So, as long as his hands were busy; in his head, he wondered what the fuck was wrong with him. It was then that he realized that he was being dominated by a mad desire for it to end. The epiphany came when his muscles bulged.

This was the opportunity to back down. She would understand. But if he did that, he would throw everything away, would he do that every time he hesitated? At the minimum! In his mind the memory of the night he decided to kill that man circulated.

Euphemia was on the hunt for his eyes. She needed to look at them, even once, before the long-awaited end, which wasn't going to happen. Nor would he allow it. He just couldn't. It would ruin all his efforts. He picked up the condom where he left it, put it on, attacked her neck with his lips, tightened the grip on her wrists that he hadn't released at all, and burst into the deep darkness of her body. Euphemia let out an inaudible scream of surprise and delight. Automatically her thighs twitched. The gasps were accentuated by every movement of their hips. Wrapped in his arms, Euphemia became water and he drank from her through her saliva, her breath and her pores, as she plunged into her walls. Her orgasm came without screaming, in silence, just like the waves that crashed against the rocks in the early morning. For Lelouch, it was much better.

Neither of them dared to say it, but both knew that it wasn't as expected.

By the time he was done, curiously, they were both thinking of the same person. It was neither one nor the other.

Euphemia wrapped the sheets up to her breasts. With a disgruntled gesture, she observed the beautiful panorama of the moon that her balcony offered her. Why did she feel that she had committed the worst of betrayals? Why didn't she think of him even once? Why couldn't she freely admit that she had enjoyed that night? And why was Lelouch so aloof with her? Had she done something wrong?

Lelouch stared at nothing in the dark. His features were hardened. His eyes were cold. His countenance was an inscrutable mask. That afternoon, Suzaku told him that he was a good friend, and later that night, he had slept with the woman he liked without a second thought. Well, not really. If he intended to marry Euphemia, he couldn't repeat the mistakes of that night. Judging from her character, she would think the problem would come from her. Wandering about that, Lelouch turned her towards him and kissed her forehead lovingly, thus fleeing her eyes. A cold shiver ran through him as he felt Euphemia's finger caress him.

"What's this?"

She was referring to a dark spot in the middle of his collarbones. Its shape was vaguely similar to a bird raising its wings in mid-flight. Or that's what it always reminded him of.

"It's a birthmark."

Feeling that the silence of the room was crushing them, he released what was biting the corners of his consciousness:

"Do you regret having been with me?" He murmured, already regretting asking.

"No," she groaned.

Euphemia's eyes closed. She rested her head on his chest. She sobbed. Overcome with pain, Lelouch took her in his arms, comforting her.

If there was one thing Lelouch and Euphemia agreed on, it was that they couldn't stand the urge to shower and start to remove all the dirt they had on them.

---

A / N: This chapter is one of my favorites from the first book. It seems to me that this chapter is an epitome of fanfic: violence, intrigues, endearing relationships, bloody action, manipulations, lies, good dialogue, memorable phrases and an erotic scene slipped into us. It had been a long time since I wrote one, I was afraid my skills would remain orthodox, but it has turned out well for a scene that is uncomfortable. I wrote it soft and to a certain point poetic. Just the way I like it. There are more hardcore scenes and other mature topics that we haven't touched yet, but you may already understand why the fanfic has this label.

I think the most anticipated thing in this chapter was Zero. In the series, Zero is a terrorist, the leader of the most important rebel faction against the Holy Empire of Britannia, just like V for Vendetta, and a later politician. In this fanfic, on the other hand, Zero is a masked vigilante just like Batman. Although I would prefer to compare it with Daredevil since both Matt Murdock and this Lelouch have in common that they are lawyers who lived through a tragedy in their childhood that changed their lives completely, they share violent methods and are inserted in a sordid city. Just like Kallen said: Zero is a son of Pendragon. I had the idea when in the first episodes of the series I realized that Zero did the typical thing of the masked vigilante that I'm referring to, that's take justice with his fists; for the sake of gaining the admiration and support of the people. Later, in R2, we see that Lelouch continues with his double life: in the meantime, he solves political issues like Zero; as a student, he's dating several girls. Beyond it being because of the trouble Sayoko got him into, I think it's a good facade that pays tribute to heroes, whose life in society is radically different from their nightlife: to name a few examples, Diego de la Vega and Bruce Wayne were rich, playboys, frivolous and "useless," weren't they?

Zero wasn't covered in the first draft of my story. It was after watching a series that I realized that it was possible that Suzaku's work forced him to chase Zero like in the series. Since then, the idea has taken hold of me. I really liked it and considered that it enriched the narrative arc of Suzaku and another character; so, I managed to introduce it and I succeeded. We'll see if Suzaku wants to play the role of Commissioner Gordon. For now, it looks like Suzaku wants to catch him.

So, tell me: what did you enjoy the most about the episode? What do you expect the most from the next one? What do you think of the presentation of Zero and the Black Knights? Are you hoping for a cat and mouse game between Lelouch and Suzaku that will make Light and L ashamed of theirs? Okay, no xD Do you think Bartley Asprius will sign with Lelouch and Kallen? Do you think Bartley Asprius is innocent as he claims? What do you think President Charles invited Suzaku for? What's C.C. with Mao in? What do you speculate will happen to our love triangle after the end of the chapter? What will be the sin referred to in the chapter title? Let me know that and more in the comments.

Without further ado, roasted marshmallows, Lelouch vi Britannia orders you to vote and comment on this chapter!

We'll read each other in the ninth chapter: "Brother."