One

The Day A New Demon Was Born II

Its been six years.

Six years of hiding.

I lay next to her, her green hair woven between my fingers. Her steady, deep breaths calm me most nights. But tonight my mind runs amok. Thoughts of a past life flow through my head, The events that led to my demise six years ago. Suzaku, cursed with a will to live, an immortal geass, gifted by me. From the occasional news over radio, Zero is fully alive and well, acting as a right hand of skewed justice. Suzaku's ideals never met mine completely, but he is the only one I could have entrusted that role to.

I reach to my bedside table for the bottle of liquor I've reserved for nights such as this. The late October air is cold, and my body draws goosebumps as it ventures from the blankets. In the cabinet, all the way to the left, I try to reach as quietly as I can. Gently uncorking the bottle, A faint pop of air escapes. C.C stirs. She'll never know that I hide these nights from her. Bringing the bottle to my lips, forgetting the formalities of a glass, the bronze liquid slithers down my throat.

Sipping until I feel warm again, my mind becomes blurred. As my mind continues to wander about, thinking of events of the past, my 'death' replays in my head. I became the martyr of hate in that world, my death is the death of evil. At least then, my death was. My last moments as the demon emperor were spent in Nunally's arms, her hands touching my very core, her eyes watching my true thoughts unravel. She cried out as I stopped breathing. My body went limp in her arms.

As I remember death, I remember embracing it. But as I drifted in the void, in what I would only call C's world, I learned that I had Charles's code embedded deep within my being. I inherited his code, much like genetics are passed down through humans, through a father and son bond, unwillingly. When both of my parents dissolved into C's world, After I commanded God not to stop the march of time, I learned I couldn't die. During the years between that day and the demon emperors death, I tried every idealization and scenario possible to kill myself.

Shuddering at the thought, I gulp at the bottle, swaying openly while trying to keep my eyes open. Through blurred vision, I see a paper crane next to the bedstand, on the floor. Nunally...Today would be her birthday.

My guilt grows, I feel my eyes grow wet with tears. My reservation eats at me for leaving my sister behind to live an immortal life off-grid with my immortal witch. I shudder with tears, the memories haunt me. The bottle is soon empty. Very drunk and riddled with exhaustion, my body walks itself to the bathroom.

Staring in the mirror now, my eyes have lost their concealment. The contacts sit on the ledge of the sink. My long black hair rests right below my chest, long bangs cover my glowing pink eyes. Scars riddle my body from the physical abuse I've put myself through. Hallowed eyes sink deeper as I scan my eyes for a hint of recognition. I am not myself, the thought continues to pulse through my head. I am not Lelouche. He died six years ago.

"Lelouche…?"C.C. calls from the bedroom. As if to purposely break my concentration, Her voice penetrates my drunkenness, resurfacing sobriety. I place my contacts back in, breaking my gaze from my own empty eyes. "What are you doing this late?" Her footsteps echo through the room, as she walks over to the door. My oversized shirt hangs from her body, her bodacious figure reminds me of my lustful human needs.

"You wreak of scotch, love. Lets get you back into bed." Smiling, she reaches for me with a hunger that only I can satisfy. A low moan escapes her lips as she guides me to the bed, back under the sheets. The warmth of her body moving atop mine with an even pace, I groan in pleasure.

"Lelouche...I remember when I thought you wouldn't survive the Zero Requiem, how foolish I was. I didn't realize that Charles's code could be passed onto you in C's world." She says as she collapses. With a wide grin she jokes, "You still didn't fulfill my contract,"

I laugh lightly, "C.C. you know you can never die now, with you at my side."

Untrue. My head rings. C.C's code is mine now too. As I toppled from that ledge and by Nunally's side six years ago, I stole her code with my sister's touch. I've been protecting her for these six years. She has become my reason for life.

"I'm not sure I would want you to fulfill that contract now. I enjoy you too much." She smiles, cuddling the blankets to her face.

"I don't think I would have, even if I had a choice in the matter, witch." I brush my hands through her hair. Kissing her forehead lightly, I wish her back to sleep. Soon I hear her snoring lightly, and through closed eyes, my mind drifts. Somewhere between awake and asleep, I hear a lock click.

…

I wake to tingling all over my body, as if I bathed in warm sunlight. A deep inhale, the smell of liquor tinges my nostrils. My eyes still closed, I stretch, my spine cracking with a thick sleep. Wiping my mouth, my hand wet and sticky. Did we make a mess and forget to clean it? I sigh, smiling, nuzzling my nose into her hair. She must have gotten up and rinsed off, her hair is soaking wet. I curl my arms around C.C. Her body is cold.

Opening my eyes, I'm greeted with blood. Blood everywhere. Her hair, stained red, saturated with blood. It stains the sheets, freshly pouring from a gash in wrist. Her artery must have been cut, I'm quick to act with adrenaline. I tie the sheet around her arm, holding her elbow firmly. I manage to stop the steady flow, and with the safety kit I have hidden away, stitch her gash up.

Her eyes flutter open. She looks at me, with almost lifeless eyes, I can tell she is having a hard time focusing."Run..." She gasps. "It's Zero..."

"C.C!" I yell, "Stay with me! I'm right here!" She drifts off, her pulse weak. I cry out. "Our love is eternal, C.C, open your eyes! Look at me!" I remove my contacts, cringing at what I must do to keep her by my side. Selfish and fool hearty, I make her last wish a fantasy.

Her amber eyes flutter. I use my fingers to pry them open, tears streaming down my face. "You mustn't die, C.C!, You can't die!" My geass unleashes into her, the immortal curse laid upon Suzaku is now hers as well. I watch her fight it, much as Shirley did. "I order you not to die!"