Hello Simply Hopeless here with a new chapter for you. I am so sorry this has taken me so long, but writer's block is no joke. I still wanted to write more for this story, but I just couldn't get over the hurtle plus I discovered the magic that is Netflix binge-watching. I honestly want to do better by you guys and I'm already working on some more chapters. Satellite Heart by Anya Marina really got me through filling in the blanks because I love listening to music while I write. Give it a listen, you might like. But it also made this story sort of sad at the end. Hope some people still like this story and I will be looking forward to your reviews. Look at my profile for possible update times.

Bad Luck Kitty

"It's okay; I know you didn't mean to hurt me. No harm, no foul right?" Gino said good-naturedly for what seemed the hundredth time after he came to.

He was very grateful to Suzaku that the brunette had the forethought to carry him inside and stretch him out on the couch with a blanket. The fact that Nunnally wasn't hovering about, worried sick for him, could only mean that her big brother had managed to come up with a plausible enough story for why he had been out cold.

Gino's head was pounding and his body ached slightly, but it could have been a hell of a lot worse. Like he could have possibly died or the kindhearted Suzaku could have left him out in the cold to come to because he wanted to cut all ties with him. Either one could be bad for obvious reasons; but seeing his best friend from some odd years looking ashen faced and apologetic warmed him up more than even the mug of tea with the shot or two of Jack Daniels.

Their friendship wasn't a lost cause. The blonde could fix this if he shows this little dilemma in the right light. Sure it might have been nice if Gino had forewarned Suzaku to the possible danger of walking into that magic shop. But then again he had never thought at the time that the unpredictable and picky Lelouch would take to someone like Suzaku so quickly. He had been under the impression that he was quite content with C.C. and yet part of him was glad Lelouch wasn't.

For all the stress and drama Euphemia had brought into his life by claiming him as hers almost as soon as he walked into the magic shop a year ago, he no longer had any regrets. He had fought against his fate just as surely as Suzaku was fighting against this now. He hadn't wanted to be a 'one woman' man or even own a cat for that matter. But she filled his otherwise bland world with magic and gave him a purpose he never knew he needed.

He turned his blue gaze towards her sleeping form curled up against him, knees to her chin, legs and tail lost in her voluminous skirts. Her pale hand clutched possessively at his shirt front, delicate brow wrinkled with worry for him even as she slept.

He wanted this for Suzaku. This fairytale. Sure he introduced hell into Suzaku's life, but there will be fulfillment and peace too in time. There was nothing so awe-inspiring and humbling then knowing such a powerful creature, who could have anyone in the world to choose from, needed him and was dependent upon him. It also didn't hurt if the grudge monster Lelouch became too busy dealing with Suzaku to worry about attacking the blonde as often as he did now.

"I've never… this had never happened to me before," Suzaku said remorsefully, cutting into Gino's thoughts. It was quite clear the brunette felt distraught and ashamed for his magical outburst. His previous anger at Gino was pushed to the side in lieu of the events that had unfolded a couple of hours ago. He knew it was there, the righteous indignation at his friend for dragging him into this shit in the first place. But Gino was still his friend when everything was said and done and there was no one else in the world he'd want to face down a situation with then the cocksure blonde.

"It's not really your fault or even my fault for that matter. It's actually kind of hard to explain this and I wish Lelouch had at least taken the time to explain everything fully before trying to get into your pants. The horny devil. But I guess I'll give it a shot," Gino said, straightening up a bit.

He shushed the protesting mew that fell from Euphemia's sleeping lips before he reassured her by rubbing her curly pink head. "There are humans in the world who can see magic. Humans like you and me who can see someone like Lelouch and Euphemia means power. We have the power to act as a go-between with the magical supernatural world and our ordinarily human world by forming contracts with these witch cats. They live long lives and sometimes they disconnect from humanity to the point of near disastrous results but we humanize them in a way with our daily interactions with them. Plus, we act as a conductor or lightning rod for which the witch cat's extract needed magic from the world to do spells."

Gino paused to wet his whistle with some of his Jack Daniels flavored tea and then dropped an indulgent kiss on Euphemia's brow. His heart brimmed with affection for this elegant creature curled up in such a way that her knees touched her chin and her skirts successfully hid how long-limbed and slender she truly was.

"Lelouch can't force you to take up a contract with him—" Gino began somberly.

Suzaku seemed to brighten at that statement even though he otherwise felt lost. How did him suddenly being a conductor, make him accidentally hurt his friend like that? He had been angry with Gino several times during his friendship and yet he had never done something so frightening before.

"But if you don't form a contract with a witch cat you might harm someone, maybe someone you care about. If you had never met Lelouch and his kind, like Euphemia, then things would have been fine. You would have never known you had that potential because Lelouch acted as a key to your powers. If you don't believe in magic, never see it, then it can't effect you. But you have and it does now. You can't put the genie back in the bottle once you let it out," he tried to explain delicately noticing how upset Suzaku was getting.

"I never signed up for this. I don't… I have Nunnally. Responsibilities. Even if I might be attracted to Lelouch he could still be dangerous. What if he decides to hurt her because I don't comply? What happens to her if I decide to agree? Do I stop being me and start being this witch-type person? I can't… I won't abandon Nunnally. Whether this is a once in a lifetime opportunity or might cause harm to others sometime down the road, she is my family. All I have left," he said steadily becoming more upset as he continued to speak.

Suzaku had every right to be upset. He thought exciting was an amusement park, speeding down an empty street and accepting the fact that he was gay. Not this. He had lost enough of his family, so he refused to give up on his sister. He'd fight tooth and nail for her. But he couldn't help being drawn to the siren that was Lelouch who oozed sex and mystery.

Maybe if he had more time to look at this properly then maybe… maybe… He didn't know what. He just couldn't right now.

Gino gave Suzaku a sympathetic look and leaned forward slightly to offer him a pat on the shoulder as he watch his best friend imploding in on himself. The brunette had been trembling with his growing frustration. His hands balled into fists, jaw clenched stubbornly. Gino wished he could do more than what he was doing now. But the decision for better or worse was ultimately his friends.

"Whatever you decide man, I'll support you. But it'll be a tough sell convincing Lelouch to give you up once he's set sights on you. Especially when it seems you are so clearly attracted to him." Gino murmured this, then let out a soft chuckle at Suzaku's sudden look of denial.

"I'm not… I… we… your mistaken," he said lamely, cheeks aflame. He had just admitted a few minutes ago that he was actually attracted to the witch cat. The raven had been haunting his thoughts since the first encounter. Suzaku doubted no one really quite got over someone like Lelouch. He might even be ruined for others but he had to try to abstain. He needed to move on or something because what else was there? "There are other fish in the sea."

Gino snorted and tried to hide his knowing smile behind his hand. He doubted his friendly truly knew how deep he was in now. Euphemia had chased him for weeks, suddenly flooding his thoughts, his dreams. He saw her on the streets, in his home, at his work. Whether she was actually there or not, she had become a virus that his body couldn't fight. Maybe things might be different for Suzaku but knowing the sadistic cat, Lelouch would squeeze out every ounce of pleasure stalking.

"You're a braver man then I," Gino said cheerfully, hoping to sound encouraging. He decided it was time to go. He might not be able to travel but Euphemia had her own ways of getting around that he could use. Suzaku needed this time to think things over and Gino knew his friend wasn't just some dumb jock that would easily play into the cat's hand. Maybe he'd be lucky… or maybe he'd fall just as hard. "Fight the good fight."

xXx

Suzaku didn't want to think about Gino's weird parting or the weird events that involved the raven haired witch cat. He just wanted sleep and maybe tomorrow he might try to look for a boyfriend before he went about his ordinary errands like work and shopping.

Maybe if he had someone special to share the ordinary with, he wouldn't miss those hypnotic amethyst eyes that shone with mischievous promises. Those slim milky shoulders that begged to be nibbled or that silky smooth hair that felt just as soft as the cat ears and tail. Maybe he'll find someone similar to Lelouch to forget him. Or maybe he'll succumb…

He groaned into his pillow, frustrated because he had a feeling he'd do the latter. He might just succumb in the end. But he'll attempt to do the right thing by Gino and by his sister. 'Fight the good fight.'

xXx

NEXT DAY, BLACK KNIGHT'S MAGIC SHOPPE

Suzaku burst through the magic shop's doors before hesitating on the threshold. The courage that he had managed to scrape together to get his ass here had quickly fled him as soon as he realized that no one was there. It was fucking empty, he realized as his emerald gaze took in the expanse of the darkened shop.

He paused a moment, longer, took a deep breath and began to stalk towards the shelves as if the crafty feline could be found behind one of the many shelves or even above them. Yet, no matter how much he craned back his neck or stooped low to see a furry little form he couldn't find that deceptively sexy Lelouch.

So he sighed in defeat and turned his wary gaze towards the shop's inner sanctum. He hadn't wanted to start his day in this magic shop but his feet wouldn't listen. So he figured why not confront the problem head on. Tell Lelouch that he was over him when he was clearly not and pray that the feline would buy it. His voice quivered in his uncertainty as he called out Lelouch's name. Courage long since deserting him.

"You don't have to worry mortal, he's not here… yet." C.C. said in an ominous monotone drawl. Her eyes shone with promise as she walked pass the spooked human and sat down on the couch with little grace.

"Damn… I… I mean that's great," Suzaku corrected himself. 'Where the hell did she come from?' he thought. He hesitated sitting down but finally bit the bullet and set on the edge of one of the chairs, hands clasped between his legs. He proved himself by coming here without prompting and with no seductively manipulative cat to sway his mind, he could neatly deliver his message to C.C. without being derailed.

"Of course it is," cooed C.C. even as she stared dreamily at her pizza box. She then lifted a cheesy slice out, looking oh so reverently at it as if it was the holy grail. Before she neatly demolished it like a raving waif. It was kind of amazing if not a little horrifying the way the kiwi-haired girl seemed to neatly and systematically demolish the entire box of pizza into the black hole that was her gullet.

"Wh… where did he go?" he asked curiously. He had turned his head away after the second slice not wanting to lose his breakfast.

"Oh," she said dreamily dragging a piece of cheese to her mouth before dropping it in. "He likes to run errands on occasion. He's a sucker for a good deal in the fish market. Completely dull and ordinary business," she murmured disdainfully.

It was just then that the store's bell rang, announcing another visitor to the party. Suzaku sucked in his breath, nearly choking on air at Lelouch's latest getup. He was prepared for the witch cat to wear anything scantily clad out in the open, because clearly this feline had no shame. But despite everything he could have imagined he had never thought that he would see how fitting it was to see Lelouch proudly clad in a summer dress.

"Wha… Why are you…Am I still asleep? I'm still asleep, right?" He choked out, unable to stop his babbling even if he wanted to. 'This… this is dull and ordinary?' he thought. He didn't think his heart could take Lelouch doing something that was more than dull and ordinary if this was the result.

His mind was barely able to compute how damn hot Lelouch looked showing so much milky white skin. The blue stripped summer dress was only held together by a pretty big bow that could fall and expose everything if given a strong enough tug. The thin fabric have every little curve of the slender and bewitching Lelouch. A sunflower headband and strappy sandals showing dainty toes, completed the witch cat's outfit and that was all that was needed to leave Suzaku dumbstruck.

"He does it for the bargains," C.C. said in a stage whisper, reminding the brunette of her presence. She wasn't impressed by her boss, but the human's reaction however, did amuse her. "He finds that if he puts on a dress and acts like a girl he is able to easily charm good deals on fish."

"I have no shame in flaunting what I have," purred out Lelouch with a nonchalant shrug. His smile became a bit lascivious when he noticed how those awestruck green eyes of Suzaku's was greedily roaming over every bit of milky flesh exposed as if a thirsty man eyeing an oasis. His fingers nonchalantly went to tug at the big bow behind his neck, giving it a hard enough that without preamble the outfit slid down his body like running liquid.

Suzaku didn't notice his nose bleeding as he got an eyeful of the prettiest pink nipples, a slender, tapered waist with just the barest hint of abs and a pair of lacy panties that had him choking on air before Lelouch snorted and snapped his fingers. Just as quickly as his outfit had fallen to his sandaled feet was just as surely he was now clothed in a pair of jeans and a simple enough long sleeve striped shirt.

"As much as I enjoy seducing you, shows over. I didn't expect you to be here and I unfortunately already have made plans," Lelouch said all business like as he raised sleeves up to his elbow. This was the time of year that he got ready for some serious spring cleaning and inventory checking. There were others to come and he would have to feed his extra workers, hence the early shopping.

"Although I shouldn't be surprised if you left a message with C.C. and she never gave it to me. I swear I think she has cheese between her ears, as much as she eats pizzas," the raven murmured sneeringly. Then moved to indulgently pat his witch's head as if that would cut his insult in half.

He ignored the way she seemed to tense up naturally in favor of thrusting one of his floating grocery bags, that had trailed behind since entering the store, into her arms "Here, take this into the kitchen and get the cutting board out so I can start the prep work for dinner."

"So mean," C.C. grumbled as she stood up. She poked out her bottom lip cutely in hopes of garnering sympathy. Then flinched back when Lelouch gave her a withering look that left her no wiggle room. "I… I'm sorry. I'll do what you said," she murmured timidly. She even went as far as to pick up another parcel before wandering to the backroom, nervously glancing back to see if she was still in trouble.

Lelouch let out a deep sigh as soon as she disappeared behind the beaded door. He knew he had done the wrong thing again by rebuking C.C. like that. He always seemed to be doing wrong by her in the last century or so. But she knew what time of year this was to him, whether there was a potential human witch in his midst or not. If he allowed himself to indulge the witch, then she'd make herself sick with the junk food she wished to consume instead of the homemade things he was more than willing to make later today.

"What's the point of me going out shopping if you are going to only eat junk food? I'm only trying to keep you healthy and happy idiot." Lelouch grumbled this to himself as he waved his hand at clearly empty pizza box. He honestly didn't know what she'll do in the real world once she was replaced. She couldn't cook, she barely cleaned. He had been her only family and friend after centuries of them being together and those dying the natural way. He'd miss her, no matter how annoyed he might seem at her right now.

"Y…. You cook?" Suzaku finally breeched after it looked like Lelouch would dismiss him in favor of gathering the rest of the food and walking into his shared living quarters. He sluggishly moved to fish out a Kleenex to dab at his dribbling nose. Even dressed as a female, Lelouch seen to get a big reaction out of him. Although seeing those nipples and what was clearly trapped in those panties was no help either.

"As much as I've tried to teach her, C.C. can't handle anything more complicated than the ice maker and the microwave. So I do what I need to survive. I've grown to love it actually," the witch's cat admitted even as he allowed the human to follow him into his inner sanctum, the kitchen.

"Y… You look different. Not ju… just the dress, this outfit he… here," Suzaku stumbled out. He wanted to smack his head against the wall. He was more than capable of articulating and causing higher conversations. He was saving up money to go to college in fact but Lelouch… Lelouch left him tongue tied.

"Well I don't walk around the mortal realm in short shorts and tight clothes. What would the housewives think?" Lelouch said sarcastically covering his mouth in mock modesty. Then he hopped backwards onto the kitchen's counter with all the grace of his feline heritage and offered Suzaku an apple.

"What's this?" The brunette asked catching it automatically. He had been a softball pitcher at his high school year three years in a row even if he had no plans of doing much with it after he graduated.

"Apple. Give you something to occupy your mouth if you feel your mind going elsewhere," Lelouch offered with a playful wink and a shrug of his slender shoulders. "Now, would you prefer it if I slipped into something a little more revealing. Maybe that sundress you were drooling over."

"I… I… I…" Suzaku took a healthy bite of the apple, abashed at Lelouch's approving nod. That dress sent his mind swimming in the sewer because nipples and panties and… urgh, he had come here for a reason… he thinks.

"You're going to break him and I want him to last long enough to replace me," C.C. said insistently. She had been unpacking things on the kitchen table, absorbing her owner destroying the poor human with careless ease, the sadist.

"You didn't warn me what being a witch cat's human may entail," Suzaku said finally getting to the nitty gritty of his visit. He was oddly thankful for C.C.'s interruption because it gave him enough to look away from Lelouch and focus on what he needed to really worry about.

"Entail? Such a big word for a pretty little mortal to worry about," Lelouch purred as he slid off the counter and slinked towards the brunette. "Do you think I won't take care of you? I always take care of my toys, no matter how naughty they are," he murmured seductively coiling his arms around Suzaku's chest.

Suzaku could feel the vibrations of Lelouch's purrs up against his back, could imagine those pink nipples that he only had a brief glimpse of pressing back against him, even as those mischievous fingers seem to be unbuttoning his shirt. He left out a needy moan because kitty played dirty and he didn't mind rolling in the mud with him if it meant Lelouch would stay pressed against him, fingers roaming his body. But then he spied C.C. giving a carefully disguise head shake of disapproval and he stiffened.

"I'm not a toy," he suddenly asserted. His fingers quickly grabbed at the raven's wrists, tugging them from under his half-open shirt before he took purposeful steps away from Lelouch and looked at the ground. He wasn't stupid, but he was horny and he needed not to listen to that head right now when his whole life might hang in the balance.

"But you could be. You could be so much to me," Lelouch countered. He then affectionately bumped his head against Suzaku's shoulder, making the brunette flinch because he hadn't seen him walk over again, too busy looking at his shoes.

Suzaku tried to squeeze his eyes shut moments before Lelouch could tempt him with those big, amethyst orbs.

"I have a life outside of you. I can't just drop everything because you just discovered you need me," Suzaku said thickly. He squeezed his eyelids tighter, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously as he felt a chill nose nuzzling against his throat. Warm nails scratching teasingly at his own abs.

"But I could make your life that much brighter with me in it. You need this just as much as I do. I know you do. I can feel it," he purred, his hot breath ghosting against his bare clavicle even as his slender fingers moved down to stroke the noticeable bulge in Suzaku's jeans.

Suzaku swore colorfully, trying to take another step back only to trip over Lelouch's ottoman. He laid their dazed for a moment, trying to gather what happened before he looked at the evil little deviant sitting between his legs, on the accursed ottoman that tripped him up and swore again because Lelouch still wasn't letting up as his pretty bare foot ran up his jean-clad leg to his obvious bulge and he was trapped.

He wanted to think Nunnally. He needed to remind himself that him giving in now would not help him later because he still had a sister. Lelouch's seduction won't erase such a familial bond but that low chuckle of Lelouch's and that damn foot was sure doing things to his libido. Suzaku could feel the hot tears of frustration because both his heads were waring against him and Lelouch wasn't helping one iota.

"Lelouch maybe it's time for Suzaku to go. W… We need to get ready to clean," C.C. insisted. She was like a needed cold dose of reality as Suzaku suddenly shot up, nearly knocking his head into Lelouch who had apparently leaned forward to see the emotions playing out across Suzaku's face.

He stood up quickly and was making a beeline towards the door before he let out any other word. The apple that Lelouch had given him other probably fell out of his lax fingers, like it helped much. He clearly had no immunity to Lelouch. The witch's cat set his soul aflame and he was going to burn. No, he needed out, he needed air. Or at least a good screw.

"NO!" shouted Lelouch waving his hand, locking the door before Suzaku could escape. Panic was clear on his face before it contorted to anger as he turned on his female witch. "This is all your fault Ceceila. You could have been free of me if he had just given in but you can't let me be happy can you. You're worthless so shut up for now and stay put," hissed Lelouch coldly. With a careless flick of his fingers C.C. found her lips zipped shut and her bottom planted firmly in a chair. "Now where were we?"

"That wasn't nice," Suzaku voiced his disapproval. He was trapped but he wsan't going to take this type of abuse sitting down. Even if the witch's cat made him weak-kneed, he didn't like wht he was seeing. 'Was he going to treat me like this once he gets bored? I'm not stupid, she fears him,' he thought to himself as he lifted his chin stubbornly, prepared for fight. His cock may have still throbbed in his pants begging him to reconsider, but self-preservation was slowly icing down his carnal impulses.

"Oh, but I'm soooo much better when I'm being naughty. I thought that was what attracted you to me. That I'm such a bad, bad, boy that needs to be spanked," Lelouch drawled as he tried to close the distance between the two of them. "Don't you want to put me over your lap and spank me? Watch my milky behind become so so pink with your handprints."

Suzaku let out a strangled type of sound unable to compute anything intelligent but he curled his hands into fists and shook his head vehemently 'no'. "I am not a toy and I am not somebody to be easily cast aside when you think you're finished with me. I am not C.C.. I am Suzaku Kururugi and I dreams and a sister and… and responsibilities," he said shakily as the cat eyed him predatorily.

"You'll regret not giving in," Lelouch said simply, a tinge of disappointment in his voice. The barest of pouts were forming as he looked at the human, wished he would reconsider. He didn't mean for him to see such an ugly side of him because he had been so eager. He hadn't been this excited about someone in such a long time. He had been dead for so long and Suzaku… Suzaku made him feel alive for what seemed the first time.

"I…" Suzaku began, voice wavering in lieu of just the mere glimpse of the Lelouch's vulnerability. He had been sure that Lelouch would fight him more. Would hunt him down, tie him up and demand he gives in. But this…this creature here, with his bowed head. He couldn't leave him… but he had to. "I need to—" He began, bracing himself for whatever may come, except someone pushing at the door.

"Excuse me, is the store closed? Why is it locked if there is an open sign?" question somebody behind Suzaku causing the brunette to clamp his mouth close and pull away from the door.

Lelouch let out a hiccupping laugh, waving his finger at the door and opening it. His hand quickly made another complicated hand movement and suddenly C.C. was untied and able to stand before he made a quick pivot and began to work purposely towards the door. "I'm going to give you time to consider me Suzaku… No rush," he murmured, pausing just a second to deliver the message before walking away.

Suzaku was already walking towards C.C.'s retreating back before he felt C.C.'s hand pressed against his shoulder, giving him pause. "Go. You need to go and rethink your approach. He's walking all over you and you don't want to end up like me. If you're going to give in anyway then fight for something more… Something that could end this cycle and make both of you happy. Just go," C.C. said pushing him now with both hands.

Suzaku looked dumbstruck. He wanted to protest. He wanted to say more to this messed up situation. But when he saw C.C.'s tears as she pushed uselessly at his chest… he couldn't. He might give into Lelouch eventually but he didn't want to end up like C.C. either. He deserved better… so much better.

"Okay then C.C., okay," he said softly. He rested his hand against the witch's head in comfort, not sure she was the type who would accept a hug from her replacement. Then after a few awkward heart beats he turned away and walked out of the shop.

Damn right he deserved better and he wasn't coming back until he could figure out how he could make that happen.