Rescue Angels

Me: (ducks a TV being chucked at my head)

Kallen: (picks up another large box to throw at me) WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN!?

Me: At school! I'm sorry!

Kallen: I've. Been. WAITING! JAPAN ISN'T GOING TO FREE HERSELF, YOU KNOW!

Me: I'm here, I'm here, I'm here, I swear! Stop throwing things at me, so I can write it all out! please?!

Kallen: (glowers) then get to work!

Me: (gulps)

Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass.

Chapter 15: The Night's Wish

Jiang Lihua, known to the world as the Tianzi, Empress of the Chinese Federation, was bored and lonely after being released from the latest 'meeting'. If it could be called that; her presence at economical and international meetings was purely traditional and to save face, and even the young lady herself knew it. The real power was in the hands of the Eunuch Generals, who would kill her if they believed she was a threat to their power – and there was more that she didn't know.

Though that would all end tonight.

It was late evening, and Jiang was still awake, musing over her impending, potential 'engagement'. She prayed that speaking with Princess Euphemia would ease her mind on the subject. The young pink haired lady was renowned all around as of late, for her kindness, compassion, forgiving nature and warmth. Jiang hoped that Euphemia's existence meant that some of her brothers were equally sweet and kind, or at least, that the girl would guide her through her new existence.

I wish that my power was true, Jiang thought unhappily. But no. I am merely a jewel in the crown, and the Eunuchs do the ruling. She sighed.

Then she heard a rustling at the window. Curious, Jiang sat up in her bed and looked out the window...

...To see a brilliant, snow white fox perched on the tree branch closest to her window, its blue eyes staring inquisitively at her. Jiang let out a gasp and jumped to her feet, and approached the window slowly so as not to scare the creature off. She had never seen anything like it.

It was some sort of spirit creature, it had to be! Had it come to give her wisdom? Comfort?

The fox remained where it stood as Jiang slowly opened the window. It seemed to purr at the sight of her, waving its large bushy tails. Timidly Jiang reached out and held out her fingers, wondering if this was a mistake...but the fox nuzzled and licked them, before hopping straight up to an upper branch.

"Oh, wait!" Jiang pleaded, before stepping up onto the windowsill and climbing onto the tree herself. Part of her registered that Xinge would be furious to see her doing this, but she desperately wanted to keep up with this strange creature.

The fox climbed onto the roof, and then looked down as if to see if Jiang was following her. To the child, this simply confirmed her suspicion that she was dealing with a spirit. "I'm coming!" She promised, grabbing on to the edge of the roof and struggling to pull herself up. The fox gently bit her collar and helped pull her up when her foot slipped.

The fox then scurried along the roof, leading Jiang along to the far right, which overlooked the city below. As they walked quickly, another figure was coming into focus...

It was a woman, dressed all in white, and even the sheltered Jiang recognized her straight away from footage she had been shown. However, that footage had not included the aura...and the new appendages she was seeing at the moment. A golden glow surrounded the lady, and from her back stretched two brilliant wings, white as crystal and beautiful like artwork come to life.

The fox let out a strange barking noise. The Woman in White turned around, her masked gaze settling on Jiang. For a second, the young Empress felt fear, but then the woman smiled and that sensation melted away like snow in summer.

"Hello Tianzi," she said warmly. "I wasn't expecting to see you out here." The fox ran up to her and rubbed against her leg. "I hope my new friend didn't wake you."

"Ah...are...are you an angel?" Jiang asked tentatively, awed at the sight before her.

"Yes and no. I am in an angelic state, but I was born and live as a mortal, like you," The Woman responded. Her wings spread out a bit. "Please, come closer – I wouldn't want you to fall, and the roof is steep."

Jiang obligingly walked closer and took the woman's offered hand. The glove was warm and secure to the touch, and her hold was gentle; utterly unlike the Eunuchs whenever they grabbed her while making a point in discussion.

"Then...you're really here to exert heaven's judgment?" Jiang asked, looking up at the older lady.

The Woman tilted her head; she seemed almost sad at the question. "I was sent here to set some things right. For all the good this world has, it is held under a blanket of darkness, fear and oppression."

"It...it is?" Jiang looked out across her city. "But...my home looks bright and happy, from here."

The Woman shook her head. "Those men who have taken your power for themselves have been lying to you, Tianzi, about how they have cared for your kingdom." She said. She didn't sound angry, but there was a remoteness to her voice that made the young girl shudder.

"What do you mean? My people...they're suffering?"

The Woman knelt down next to Jiang, so they were at eye level. Jiang couldn't see through the one way visor, but she sensed an internal debate within her companion. "I can show you what they've kept from you, Tianzi, but not if you don't wish it...knowledge is a terrible burden, especially with such as this."

Jiang stood frozen, wondering what all this meant. For several moments she warred with herself before saying, "My kingdom is my responsibility. If they are suffering...I must know. Please, show me."

The Woman gave her a small smile, which held a mixture of sadness and pride. Then she stood up and placed both her hands on Jiang's shoulders, engulfing the smaller child in her golden aura. And suddenly they were everywhere...all across China.

Jiang saw starving slums, overflowing with people who could not pay the sky high rent. She saw guards and soldiers abusing and extorting the people they were supposed to protect. She saw the Eunuchs blinding her to their responsibility for this, while they drained the country's bank on their own excesses. She saw death, both in battle and being doled out to innocents or harmless criminals under the harsh laws. She saw all...and she learned everything.

Eventually the visions came to a stop, and Jiang melted to her knees, weeping. The Woman knelt too, gently folding the young girl into a tender embrace. Jiang had never experienced such a thing before, and she leaned into it, seeking strength.

"Do the angels always see these things?" The girl asked through her tears.

"Yes," The Woman said solemnly. "It is our burden, myself and my friend. To try and remove these great injustices."

"Can you stop them? Those men who call themselves my advisors?" Jiang asked, righteous anger bleeding into her voice as she asked this question. "Can you help me help my people? I...I cannot regain my power alone."

"You do not have to." The Woman said soothingly. "I can help you, but your help does not just come from me. You have your protector...and soon, the Black Knights will aide you as well."

"The Black Knights? Those revolutionaries?" Jiang couldn't deny that the thought frightened her a bit. Zero and his men always seemed so angry and impassioned in their appearances; she imagined they would bring violence in their wake.

"Some bloodshed is inevitable, my lady Tianzi. But I know the man behind the mask of Zero. He will protect you, and give you back your kingdom. It is in his nature." The Woman said. "Do not be afraid. I am watching over you. Even when you don't realize I'm there."

Then she picked Jiang up, causing the girl to squeak in surprise. The fox clung to her leg as the Woman in White flew the young Empress back down to her room and placed her on her bed. "Rest, Tianzi... would you like my friend to keep you company?"

The white fox hopped up on the bed and nestled its way under Jiang's arm. The little girl smiled for the first time through her tears.

"I'll take that as a yes. Sleep well, child."

**~With Suzaku~**

Euphemia's bedroom was empty. Suzaku probably wouldn't have thought anything of it, had he not been, well, himself, and therefore noticed that Euphemia looked tired, furtive, and – which worried him most of all – quite stressed during the whole travel to the Chinese Federation and their arrival there. She had insisted she was fine when he asked, but Suzaku was convinced she was just trying to put his mind at ease. And now she was missing in the middle of the night.

Suzaku hadn't woken anyone else; he wanted to find her on his own, hopefully allowing him to convince her to tell him what was wrong. Euphemia, while outgoing, kept her sorrows and worries close to her chest so as not to burden anyone else. Most of the time, it was one of the many, many qualities that Suzkau loved about her, but now it was causing him concern.

Yes, love. Suzaku was through with lying to himself about his motivations now (he'd been doing that for a while). He was not loyal to the Britannian empire itself. He was loyal to Euphemia and the wonderful, innovative, just Empress he knew she could be, should fate give her the chance. She was the most important person to him now, and he would gladly lay down his life for her should it come to that. Even though he was laughably unworthy of her, she had made him her knight and her best friend without hesitation.

If only Lelouch could see the Empire's future through Euphy, Suzaku thought. The only thing that would make this setup perfect was if his jaded best friend was a part of it. Lelouch's palpable hatred of his homeland was a source of worry for Suzaku. He was certain that the other boy didn't hate Euphy – who could hate Euphy? - but Lelouch seemed to be quite content to watch Britannia burn under the revolution of Zero. Doesn't he realize that jeopardizes Euphy's future too?

Suzaku reached the other end of the hallway when he heard thumping, and a window opening somewhere behind him. Turning around, he saw the door to Euphemia's room move slightly. Spinning around, he rushed back to see the door to the bathroom close.

"Who's there?" He demanded harshly.

A startled, but blessedly familiar voice sounded from the bathroom. "S-Suzaku?"

Suzaku let out a relieved breath. "Oh, it's just you Euphemia." He walked up to the door. "What are you doing, up and about?"

"Er, I couldn't sleep." Euphemia sounded flustered. Suzaku swore he heard the rattle of clothes being moved around at great speed. "I just went for a walk...I'm sorry I worried y-"

Whatever else she was going to say broke off into a violent coughing fit, followed by a crash and a thud. Heart slamming with sudden worry, Suzaku forced the door open and rushed to his princess's side.

Euphemia had collapsed on the floor, and was coughing into her hands. The cupboard under the sink had been jammed closed over a filled to capacity space...which Suzaku might have noticed, had Euphemia's hands not come away from her mouth with bloodstains.

"Euphy, you're hurt!"

He got to his feet to call for the doctor, only for the pink angel to grab his arm and hold him there. "It's...it's not something they can help me with, S-Suzaku."

"What's wrong? What happened?" Suzaku asked frantically, taking Euphemia's face in his hands and making her look at him. Her beautiful eyes were dazed, as if she were thousands of miles away.

"It's...happened before. No consistency. I think...it's some sort of sickness. Nothing the doctors I've seen recently could make anything of it." Euphemia shook her head. "Maybe god has cursed my family."

"That's ridiculous, Euphy. You've done nothing to deserve that." Suzaku's hands were shaking, and he cursed himself for it. He had to be strong for her, when she was so vulnerable.

"My family has," Euphemia said, and her voice was so full of despair it shattered his heart into millions of pieces. "Oh, I could live ten lifetimes and never make up for the cruelties they've brought against so many innocents!"

"Don't talk like that Euphy! Don't say that about yourself!" Suzaku begged. "You're the kindest, most wonderful person I've ever met. Your family could consist entirely of demons from hell and you would still be worth saving! You're nothing like them and you deserve to live!"

He wanted to hug her, and since no one was around to see him and she needed it more than decorum demanded otherwise he did so, letting the pink haired princess shiver and cough and lean against him, giving her his strength, his belief in her.

"I'm sorry..." Euphemia coughed twice, thankfully much gentler this time. It no longer seemed like the force would tear her apart.

"No, don't apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for."

"Thank you... but I do..." She smiled weakly at him, straightening up against the wall. "I'm sorry I kept this from you, Suzaku. You already worry over me so much, I..."

Suzaku shook his head, determined to keep the tears away. What classic Euphemia nonsense. "Worry is nothing, Euphy. I live to keep you safe and happy. Are you sure you shouldn't see-?"

His question broke off when suddenly Euphemia's eyes welled up with tears, and she tackled him to the floor. And before he could formulate a response to that; god she was on top of him, his knee brushed against the curves of her hip, Euphemia crushed his lips under hers in a frantic kiss. Suzaku tasted blood, apples and lust in her mouth; his mind utterly blacked out and he gently placed his hands on her back. What is – I don't – I can't – I – what – oh, Euphy! The princess crawled forward slightly, until she was straddling him, her tongue brushing longingly against his lips and teeth. Unable to resist, overwhelmed by his feelings, Suzaku granted her access and felt heat rush through her veins as she buried her fingers in his hair, forcing him as close to her as possible and pressing him against the floor. Her other hand dug into the edges of his uniform, pulling at it as she finally released his mouth to take in desperately needed air.

Suzaku stared up at her through love blurred eyes before Euphemia kissed him again, more violently than the first time, full of love and desperation and longing and passion. He was a knight yet she held him a completely helpless prisoner, caged by her sweet love. Euphemia released his lips again, muttering something borderline illegible in Japanese, but Suzaku understood it immediately.

"Aishiteru" Euphemia gasped out. "Aishiteru, aishiteru, aishiteru," she repeated several times before kissing him again. It was a shorter kiss though no less heated. She held him there for another momentbefore covering his face with quicker kisses, while pulling most insistently at his shirt.

Finally managing to put together some sort of coherent thought, Suzaku placed his hands on top of hers. "Euphy," he whispered. "Euphy, you'll get in trouble..."

"I don't care," she sobbed, looking lovingly at him, before beginning to speak rapidly in Japanese – she had asked him to teach her his language "I don't care, damn it, I don't. I only want you. I don't want to want anyone else."

"Euphy..." I'm dreaming...I have to be...Suzaku's eyes drowned in hers, those beautiful tortured blue oceans.

"Aishiteru," Euphy whispered like a prayer, leaning over him again. Some invisible force closed and locked the door to her room. "please, please say it back. Just once. Please."

The last faint strands of Suzaku's self control snapped. "Aishiteru," he responded softly. "I have since the moment I met you."

Euphy's eyes lit up with joy. She kissed him again and the moon cast its silver light over the pair of star crossed lovers truly reunited.

End Chapter

Euphy's made her dramatic confession, though she was in better shape to pounce on her beloved than Shirley was at the time. I hope you like the fluff! That's what I wanted for this chapter; lots and lots of fluff. I hope you like it and it makes up for the wait. Don't worry, Shirley will get her chance before everything goes to hell...quite possibly literally, given the circumstances.

Shirley: What do you mean, literally?!

Me: (pales) Oh dear, I gotta go do homework! (bolts)

Read and Review please!