Chapter 18: Lelouch Makes a Powerful Ally

(A/N: Ok, I didn't get to the event I've been planning for a while this chapter. That'll happen next chapter. Said event is the event I've said to a few people that I think will make a lot of you absolutely HATE me.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Code Geass

Lelouch's pov

It had been a couple of months since I had returned from my trip to Karakura Town and met the C.C of the past. Upon my return I had locked myself away in my office for a few days to both write my report and process all the information I had learned. I told Yuna I was just overly tired from my trip. She bought it.

Right now I was drafting plans for investigating into Aizen. According to Urahara-san, Aizen had the ability of creating perfect illusions. Hirako-taicho had been followed for an entire month by someone else entirely and no one realized it, including Urahara-san. This told me that Aizen's illusions worked on any and all that had ever seen his Zanpakuto release. It made sense then that he would turn Tosen-taicho into his subordinate. Tosen-taicho was blind. Gin also made the perfect ally because he perpetually kept his eyes open in slits. However, if Aizen only had to use his Shikai on someone just once to make them perpetually under his power then I had to be extremely careful around him. As a captain he could also call upon his Shikai without calling its name or release command. I could not go on a mission with the man and I could not confront him carelessly. It was way too risky.

However, all my thought process had given me a few places upon where to begin my investigation. To start with, there was the Soul Reaper Aizen used to follow Hirako-taicho around. Someone like that had to know what he was doing. I'd try and find said Soul Reaper…somehow.

The other interesting matter was Tosen-taicho's reasoning for becoming a Soul Reaper. I had read it in the Seireitai communication once. Tosen-taicho had a friend, a woman, who joined the Shino Academy, but was killed by her husband who flew into a fit of rage. Tosen-taicho demanded an audience with Central 46, asking why the man was not punished for his crimes. He wrote, in the article, that it was Aizen who had spoken to him next, who told him that if he wanted justice for his fallen friend that he should become a Soul Reaper himself.

I didn't buy it. If Tosen-taicho was following Aizen he wasn't around for justice. His goal…was vengeance. For one fallen comrade he was taking his anger out on the entire Soul Society. And somehow I got the feeling that, even though Aizen wasn't the man who killed Tosen-taicho's friend that he had something to do with it. Aizen's too cunning and also rather paranoid. He believes the entire world against him and so tries to keep himself secure by surrounding himself with people who throw themselves at him while he laughs at them behind their backs. Due to Kyoka Suigetsu's power, if he heard word of a blind man with spiritual power his options were obvious: kill him or have the blind man become his subordinate.

Besides this, there was one other place to look: Yoruichi's contact in the Soul Society. Urahara-san said that Yoruichi knew someone in the Soul Society and his shop got all his materials through this person. Unfortunately I didn't even know where to start looking here. I thought about asking Yuna about friends of Akari-taicho and Yoruichi, but, like Aizen, I was also a bit paranoid. Paranoid that someone could be listening in on any conversation I had with anyone. That's why I kept all my information pertaining to my investigation on Aizen in a safe that I kept behind the books on the bottom shelf of my bookcase. I also changed the safe combination every month and I didn't have a written record of the safe combination anywhere.

I also had another safe in plain sight that had a simple seven digit combination "1234567". Any monkey could get into that safe and inside I rigged the safe with a kido trap that would go off and let me know that someone was trying to break into my office. I kept all my important squad files where they belonged: In my file cabinet. I had a set of keys that opened important cabinets. I also had a lockbox I kept in my lower left hand desk drawer where I kept all my mementoes and memoirs. I modified the lockbox ever since I had entered the 12th division so that it would only open via a fingerprint sensor.

I closed my journal and put it back in my investigation safe. My hidden safe also had its own gimmick. It had both a keypad and a regular combo-turn lock. Attempting to use either one would trigger an alarm, alerting every division member in the general area to my office. The secret to opening it was by using a special Kido resonation that only reacted to my reiatsu specifically. The door would then open and I could put things in.

After I closed my safe and locked it using a different resonation I got up and went to take paperwork to Yuna's office. As I did I heard an ever familiar sound of "HEEY…LELOOOOOUCH!" I sidestepped and watched Isshin-fukutaicho go somersaulting along the ground before landing on his back.

"Are you going to do that every time you see me?" I asked.

"One of these days I'm going to get you." He pointed at me. "Just you wait."

"Please, the only people with the proper ability to sneak up on me are members of the Onmitsukido and even then it would be hard to surprise me." I told Isshin-fukutaicho as I walked past him.

He got up and skidded in front of me. "Wait, hold on. I have something for you."

"All right. Just know that if Yuna asks for reason of my delay that I'm blaming you." I told him.

"Right then, I suppose I'll cut right to the chase." He reached into his shirt and pulled out an invitation of some kind. "This is for you." I looked at the invitation. It was to Shiba-fukutaicho's wedding and I was invited. "You're always stuffed up in your office and I thought you could use some time to kick back and relax once in a while. All the captains and vice-captains are invited, which is customary for a wedding involving nobles, and Kaien and cousin Kukaku and I put together the guest list."

"Kukaku?" First time hearing that name.

"Oh yeah. I guess you wouldn't know. Kaien's not an only child. He's got a younger sister, my cousin Kukaku, and a younger brother, Ganju who's still just a child."

"Interesting, tell me more about them." It was always a good idea to gather information.

"Well, Kaien's the only one who ever became a Soul Reaper. Kukaku quit during her fourth year at the academy and since she's a noble the Central Forty Six can't touch her. Ganju's still far too young. Of course, when you see Kukaku at the wedding be on your best behavior around her she's kind of…"

"I'm kind of what Isshin?" From down the other end of the hall came a woman with black hair wearing a red battle dress with the Shiba clan symbol embroidered on the front. She was a couple inches shorter than I was and she had a large sized bust, but nowhere near as large as Rangiku's. With her right hand she reached up and grabbed the white stick hanging out of her mouth revealing that she was chewing on a lollipop. "Hmm…well? Answer." She said before sticking her confectionary treat back in her mouth and folding her arms.

"Oh…c-cousin Kukaku…wh-what are you doing here?"

"Kaien asked me to come by to make sure you were giving the invitations properly. Apparently he can't trust you to get the job done right on your own. How sad." Kukaku commented.

"Ah…ahahaha." Isshin-fukutaicho laughed like an idiot and dropped to his knees in sheer terror.

Why's he so scared of her? I wondered. I don't find her tough girl act all that intimidating. Not like Unohana-taicho's smile. I shuddered. Ugh, I don't even want to think about that.

"So, who's the twig?" she asked.

Twig?

Well you are kind of underweight Lelouch.

Not the time. I retorted.

"Ah, yes, cousin, this is Lamperouge Lelouch. He's…"

"I know who he is." Kukaku said grabbing hold of the lollipop and yanking it out of her mouth again.

"You…know who I am?" I asked.

"Of course I do. What? Yoruichi and Kisuke never mentioned Kukaku the Mad? The Shiba Sparkmaker? No of course they didn't, you were too busy hounding them and disbelieving of them to actually care about them?"

"What?" What is she talking about?

Kukaku put the lollipop back in her mouth. "I know the story. You were after them and Soifon betrayed you to them. Even now you're probably still after them aren't you?"

"That's not true."

"And now you go and lie to my face." Kukaku responded. "I heard the story about what happened and it's bullocks. Kisuke and Yoruichi would never do something that evil. It's just not in them. Of course, someone like you wouldn't understand."

Wait a minute could Yoruichi's contact…be this woman? I pondered. Perhaps this wedding is worth going to after all. Perhaps I could tell Kukaku the real story while I'm there. Of course, since Aizen will be at the wedding I'll have to do my best to steer clear of him and make sure no one hears us talking.

"You're a friend of my idiot cousin and that's enough that I'm not going to bar you from the wedding, but," Kukaku grabbed my the hair and held me inches from her face, "I'm warning you right now if you do anything to undermine the good name of the Shibas, so help me, the amount of pain and torment I will rain down upon you will be so bad you'd find a fate by the infamous Unohana Retsu to be more preferable. Do you understand me?" Kukaku sneered at me.

"Y-yes." Ok, now I know Isshin-fukutaicho is so scared of her. This woman is not good for my health.

Kukaku let me go and by letting me I go I mean she threw my head towards the ground. "Anyway, let's go Isshin. We have invites to give out."

"R-right away cousin Kukaku." Isshin cowered.

I scuttled over to him. "Your cousin is scary." I told him.

"You're lucky she's in a good mood." Isshin whispered.

He considers this a GOOD mood? I questioned.

"Isshin!" Kukaku called for him.

"Coming!" Isshin ran up to follow his cousin. I got up from the ground and went to Yuna's office.

"Paperwork for you Yuna." I told her.

"I heard the commotion outside." She said. "It sounded like you met Shiba-fukutaicho's violent younger sister."

"Violent doesn't even begin to describe it." I said putting the paperwork on the desk.

"Say Lelouch," Yuna stated.

"Yeah," I said as I was about to turn away.

"It's customary for Captains and Vice-captains to attend noble weddings."

"So Isshin-fukutaicho told me." I held up my invitation. "I even got my own invite."

"Ah…I…ok…um well…are you going?" Yuna asked me.

"I…am. Why?" I asked.

"Well…while it is customary for Captains and Vice-captains to attend it is also customary that they be paired with their spouse or Vice-captain when introduced, such is how things go. However, since Isshin is being introduced with his family…well…I…I was wondering…would you…would you...partner with me?" Yuna asked.

"I don't see why not." I said. Really, I don't have any problem with it at all.

"I…th-thank you." Yuna responded. "I…should get back to work."

"Yeah, me too." I said, and left.

Shiba Clan Manor

Three months went by in what felt like an instant and the day of the wedding arrived. The ceremony was dull and boring as all weddings. I remembered the several few I had to sit through as a kid when the nobles underneath my father got married. Many at the reception would always make remarks about how I was the 'little genius' of the family. Considering how I am now, I suppose that was never far from the truth.

The reception was outdoors in the crisp moonlight and as I stood around in line as one of the guests of honor as the reception was beginning I was having trouble spotting Yuna. I was wondering if perhaps she was running late. It would look bad on our squad if we didn't arrive on time. I looked over to my right where there was a full length mirror leaned up against it. I looked at my reflection. I never minded wearing a tux. Wearing one was a lot more comfortable than noble Britannian garments and it was a lot easier to dress like this than it was to be forced to be dressed for the crossdressing festival.

However, whenever I looked in a mirror, ever since Zero Requiem began. I always felt as if my reflection was a reflection of my very soul. I didn't look too bad with how I was reflected in the glass. I stepped closer to the mirror and looked deeper into it. I gazed at my reflection intently. The last time I had looked in a mirror, so many years ago, I had hallucinated of blood and carnage; I had seen myself as a monster and was forced to convince myself that what I was doing was for a just cause.

"Lelouch." I heard my name called out and turned my head to see Yuna. She was dressed in a midnight black, lace dress, with matching gloves and a hoop skirt.

"Oh, Yuna."

"So…how do I look?" she asked.

"Fishing for a compliment?" I asked.

"Is it that obvious?" she asked.

"I can read you like an open book." I answered.

Before Yuna could say anything back Miyako, Shiba-fukutaicho's wife, announced over the loudspeaker. "Now introducing the captain of Squad Ten, Homura Yuna, and her partner for tonight's events, one of her squad's own tenth seats, Lamperouge Lelouch." Yuna and I walked on stage. I saw the various single women shooting me looks like they were dying to take me to a little backroom and have their way with me or have me have my way with them. I kept a straight, stern face as I walked with Yuna.

"Smile a little." Yuna told me.

"I don't smile." I told her.

"Boy someone's sour."

I'll say.

No one asked you.

After being introduced Yuna and I were escorted to our table by the Shiba clan servants. I ordered something I hadn't eaten in a really long time: Pan seared duck with a grilled salmon steak served with a side of sautéed mushrooms.

"Well, aren't you a gourmet connoisseur." Yuna teased.

I didn't want to say anything that might hint at the truth. I didn't trust anyone with my past, even Yuna. So I just said, "It sounds appetizing. It's nothing I don't normally eat." I said.

"Well, all right." Yuna said. She ordered a Filet Mignon wrapped in bacon with a side of broccoli florets.

"And I'm the one with the upper class palette?" I joked.

"I'm a sucker for good food what can I say?" she responded. Yuna and I were alone at our table; all of the guests of honor pairs were sitting at tables of two. To add to the increasingly soothing and slightly romantic atmosphere there was a large scented candle, hand made by Kukaku herself, at each table.

The only way Yuna and I could look more like a couple is if we started holding our hands and feeding each other food. I thought to myself, mocking the situation. The next thing I knew though, Yuna's hand found its way on top of mine.

When I noticed Yuna retracted her hand quickly. "S-sorry I…I was reaching for an extra napkin." She said.

As the dinner continued onward Shiba-fukutaicho's parents each made a speech about how proud they were of their son and Shiba-fukutaicho and Miyako-san each made a speech. Shiba-fukutaicho even convinced Isshin-fukutaicho to say a few words. Of course since Isshin-fukutaicho hadn't been prepared to give a speech he looked like a complete and total fool up on stage. I saw Kukaku several tables away, palming her face at her cousin's stupidity.

After the speeches the meal concluded and the guests were allowed to congregate with each other. At the same time, the music player turned on and a soothing, slow song came on over the loudspeakers.

"Oh, I love this song." Yuna got up from the table, but didn't take more than seven steps before turning to look at me.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" I asked.

"I…I thought you would be my dance partner." Yuna said.

"Me?" I pointed to myself.

"Yeah, come on." Yuna grabbed my hand.

"Wait," I said, protesting, "I don't know how to dance. I'll just wind up embarrassing the both of us."

"Come on Lelouch, can't you think of someone other than yourself for once?" Yuna complained.

Yeah Lelouch can't you?

You stay out of this! I ordered.

"If you don't know how then let me lead. I won't steer you wrong. Please Lelouch."

Please Lelouch. Eien Tamashi echoed.

Both of you are annoying. I growled.

"Have you never danced before?" Yuna asked me.

"Well no. I've never…not danced, but…I'm really bad at it." I told her.

"If there's one thing I've learned, it's that anyone who says they're a bad dancer just needs more practice. Mari-sama taught me how to dance. I can teach you too." Yuna said.

"I'm…fine just watching." I said.

"Don't make me give you a direct order." Yuna hummed. I growled and got up and went with Yuna to the dance floor.

Yuna and I moved in rhythm to the music. I was having a hard time avoiding being captivated by her long, dark green hair and her alluring red eyes. Dancing with her and standing so close to her felt so natural. Yuna was looking at me like she was the luckiest woman in the world. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why.

Eventually I started to get the hang of the dance number and started to lead. A short while after I did that Yuna rested her head on my chest, completely putting her faith in me.

You really are blind aren't you? Eien Tamashi asked.

What are you going on about now? I asked.

For someone who managed to come to a full understanding of Soifon and Yoruichi's relationship it's appalling that you can't see your own.

Eventually Yuna decided she didn't want to dance anymore so we just went back to our table. When we sat down Yuna lay her head on my shoulder.

"Tired?" I asked her.

"Uh uh." She responded. "I'm just…content." She said.

Clueless.

Quiet!

As we sat there together I looked for a way I could possibly get a chance to talk to Kukaku. Yuna was practically falling asleep next to me. She actually did eventually so I just put her head on the seat of my chair and got up to go look for Kukaku.

I'll wake her when it's time to go. I thought.

I looked around for Kukaku and found her sitting on a table downing an entire gallon of pineapple juice while everyone around her rooted for her. Kukaku finished it in 2.4 minutes and people clapped and cheered. I learned a little later that she had beaten out Shiba-fukutaicho by about half a minute. She noticed me as she wiped her lip. "Well, well, look who it is." The crowd dispersed and I got a good look at Kukaku as she was wearing a long dark violet Qinpao and high heels.

I should've tried to get her alone. Nice going Lamperouge. I scolded myself.

"I hear you like playing games Lelouch." Kukaku said.

"I do, but it depends on the game." I said.

"Yuka!" she called to a female servant and snapped her fingers. "Go get my deck."

"Hai, Kukaku-sama."

Kukaku got off the table and cleared everything off it, not even carrying what broke or fell onto the ground. The servants scrambled to gather everything. "Have a seat Lelouch." She told me.

I sat down at the table and Kukaku's servant came back with a deck of cards. It was a standard 52 card deck with cards going from 2 to Ace. "So what kind of game are we playing?" I asked with a light attitude. "Old maid?"

"What are you seven years old?" Kukaku growled. "No you idiot there's only one game I ever play with a deck of cards." She sat down at the table and shuffled the deck before slamming it down in the center of the table. "Yuka!" she ordered to the same servant. "Deal."

"Hai, Kukaku-sama!"

"Surely you know how to play poker Lelouch?" Kukaku asked.

"I…do, yes." I answered.

"Good then let's play a few hands." She responded.

"Don't we need something to bet?" I asked.

"You've never played poker with me before." Kukaku responded. "We're going to play best three out of five hands. If I win, you have to do something for me. If you win, I'll do something for you."

"No restrictions? No strings attached?" I asked.

"I'm a woman of my word and honor. If you aren't going to play though you can go ahead and leave the party right now." Kukaku sneered. "I find men with weak stomachs appalling."

"Then let's play." I said.

Kukaku's servant, Yuka, dealt the cards and we were each dealt a hand of five cards. Without anything to bet, Kukaku had made this game all about reading the other person and seeing what they were up to. The game became all about psyching out the other. It was also about pure luck of the draw.

On the first round my starting hand was the ace of spades, the seven and eight of clubs, the seven of diamonds and the six of diamonds. Well that's rather simple. I discarded the six the eight and the ace and drew three more cards. I was now holding two kings and the six of clubs. Kukaku only discarded one card from her hand.

"Ready?" she asked as she added the new card to her hand. I nodded. She put her hand on the table. It was a straight flush with the two, three, four, five and six of diamonds. "Read it and weep."

How…did she…?

"All right next hand." Kukaku said.

I sighed in frustration and just got dealt my new hand. I was holding a king, a queen, a 10, a jack and a two. Simple enough. I put my one card down and drew a new one from the deck. I now had a straight.

"I fold." Kukaku said. "Next hand."

What…just like that? I thought to myself. Is she…is she reading me? Am I…giving myself away somehow?

The next hand was drawn and I had a really bad hand: the two of spades, the nine of diamonds, the 4 of clubs, the king of hearts and the 7 of spades. Great what do I do in this situation? I wondered.

"If you've got a bad hand you can just fold and we can move onto the fourth round." Kukaku stated with a smug grin.

Ok, she is definitely reading me somehow, but just how is she doing it? I wondered.

You're the master of kido and you can't understand this simple trick? Eien Tamashi asked me.

Wait, you know how she's doing it? I asked.

Whenever you lose or gain confidence there are slight shifts in your reiatsu. She's reading you so easily it's laughable. You could have the best poker face in the world right now and she'd still know how you were feeling by your reiatsu alone.

So…she's cheating? I asked.

It's not cheating. She doesn't know what's in your hand. She just knows how well you're doing by your reiatsu.

Still sounds like cheating to me. I said.

Look just…you need to act like you do when you play chess…when you were a field marshal directing your soldiers. You were heartless and you were cruel. Dig into that ruthless side of you and make yourself an unreadable stone-faced individual.

Easily said, and easily done. I said. I slammed down my cards on the table. "I fold Kukaku. Next hand." I said.

She seemed stunned by my outburst. By the look on her face I think I had succeeded in throwing her off. Now that I knew her trick she didn't know what to do.

"Right…next hand Yuka." Kukaku said, now sneering.

I got a hand with the three, four and five of spades. I discarded the other two cards not even caring what they were and drew from the deck. "Come on Kukaku, play the game." I taunted.

She growled and discarded three cards and drew. "Don't get so smug. If you lose one more hand, you lose the entire game." She said.

"I know." I said.

We put our hands down on the table. The two cards I had drawn gave me a flush. Kukaku had a flush too, but my highest card was the king of spades and hers was the 7 of hearts. "Next hand Yuka." Kukaku knew the pressure was on. I wasn't playing with my head anymore and I was throwing her completely off. She couldn't read me as easily as she was earlier and it seemed that was a large blow to her confidence at winning. Now that she couldn't read me her chances of winning were purely based on the luck of the draw. The same was said for me, but as long as I stayed confident, even if I drew a bad hand, I figured I might be able to psyche Kukaku out into possibly folding this last hand.

Our hands were dealt. The only card I had in my hand that was worth keeping was the ace of spades. I discarded everything else. I didn't even bother to look at the cards I drew and just watched Kukaku squirm. She drew her hand, discarding two cards and drawing and then we laid our hands out on the table.

"What's your deal, you didn't even look at your hand." Kukaku said.

"I don't have to. You see, I've already won this match." I bluffed.

"Your buffing." She grit her teeth.

"You want to test and find out. I'll reveal my cards one by one and you can still have the option to fold at any time." I told her with a smug grin.

"All right, fine. Let's see this perfect hand of yours."

"Very well." Well, here's to me placing my hand in the hands of fate. I went to turn over the card I knew was the ace of spades. "I'm predicting that this card right here is the ace of spades." I turned it over and put it down on the table. I shocked everyone around me.

"Oh come on, like I'm going to fall for that. That was obviously the card you didn't discard from your original hand." Kukaku said.

"Think what you will." I said, "Let's turn over the next card, shall we." I flipped the card over. It was the King of Spades. "Well how about that." I said. "Let's turn over the next two cards, shall we?" I flipped them both over, jack and queen of spades. Kukaku's shocked face was priceless. "So Kukaku." I said. "Care to fold?" I asked. "This last card seals your fate. None of the cards I discarded from my original hand were spades and you discarded two cards from your hand and judging from your tension I'd wager that none of the cards you drew and discarded or the cards that are in your hand are spades. There are fifty two cards in a deck. There are 15 cards we know are absolutely not spades, which means that there is an approximately one in four chance that this card will seal my victory. Even if it's just the two of spades, in poker, the ace of spades is the deciding factor in the event of two hands of equal power. What do you think Kukaku?" I asked.

"I…"

This is working all too smoothly. I grinned. "Just so we're clear on the situation. If you decide to fold there are no recalls. You concede that I win."

"I…know." Kukaku grit her teeth. There was a minute of silence between us and those watching the game. After it passed Kukaku gathered her hand together and put it on top of the deck. "No, there's no need to continue." She smiled. "You win Lelouch. I concede." Everyone was shocked and people were stunned. I was just surprised that Kukaku was smiling. "Quiet!" she shouted at everyone.

"Well all right then." I said. "Then I decree…"

"Hold on." Kukaku held up her hand. "Before you go telling me what you want me to do and whatever, mind showing me the card you were concealing."

"What would be the point?" I asked with a sly grin. "The game's over."

"It's because the game's over that I want to see it." She said, folding her arms.

"All right then." I turned the card over. It was the nine of diamonds.

Kukaku laughed, but it wasn't a laugh of mockery or anything of the sort. She was cheerfully laughing that I had bluffed my way to victory. Kukaku put me in a headlock and ran her knuckles over my scalp. "Hahaha!" she laughed. "Lelouch I take back everything I said about you three months ago. There's no way someone with the kind of balls to pull that kind of bluff could be that bad of a guy. Come to the backroom with me." She told me. "You can give me your order there."

Kukaku led me to a private lounge, just the two of us where upon she poured herself some sake, which I politely turned down. "You might wanna stay sober for what I have to request of you." I told her.

"Ah, don't worry, I can hold my liquor." She shrugged off. "Before we get into that though, just how big of a set of balls do you have that you made that kind of gamble. You had no idea what cards you drew. That gamble could've as easily backfired as it did succeed."

"Of course it was a risk, but my hand started poorly and since we weren't betting anything, plus the fact it was the final round I knew you wouldn't hesitate to go for the safest best hand possible. So, I bluffed." I responded.

"Well you had me fooled. That's why I asked to see your last card, to see if it really was a bluff." Kukaku stated.

"So why are you being so friendly to me?" I asked. "Three months ago you hated my guts."

"Poker isn't always about the cards Lelouch," Kukaku said, "It's about the person holding the hand. I analyzed you while we were playing. Midway through the game you saw through my little parlor trick and didn't call me on it. To make things even more interesting you gracefully accepted your loss and turned the game completely around. For someone I pegged as being a complete untrustworthy prick, you're all right. So, why don't you start by telling me the real story about what happened those thirty years ago, hmm?"

"But…"

"Don't worry," she said and went over and banged her fist against the wall. "This lounge is constructed with an ultra-tight soundproof sealing. Even if someone put their ear right upon against the door they wouldn't be able to hear even the dust falling in the room." Kukaku sat back down on her couch. "I'd never let the truth be spoken only for the speaker to get dragged away by the Central Forty Six. Tell me everything. I want to know why my friends were dragged out of the Soul Society." Kukaku glared.

I sighed and told her what I knew. I told her that Aizen was behind the whole incident. I told her that her framed Urahara-san for the crime and I that magnificently broke him, Yoruichi and Commander Tsukabishi out of the Central Forty Six with an ingenious plan. Kukaku sat there and listened intently.

"So, Aizen's the rat bastard to blame huh?" she asked when I finished. "I always knew there was something fishy about that guy. No one can be as nice of a guy as he makes himself out to be and not have some skeletons hiding in their closet."

"So, now about what I want from you…" I said.

"Go right ahead." Kukaku said.

"Tell me everything you can about your relationship with Yoruichi Shihoin that would be relevant to my taking down Aizen." I scowled.

"Hoho, so you're interested in bringing the big guy down are you?" Kukaku said. "Any chance there's room for a partner in your ploy?"

"Possibly." I answered.

"Then I'm getting in on this bandwagon." Kukaku said with a gleaming grin. "Aizen's going to pay dearly for framing Kisuke and Yoruichi. I told you about undermining the Shiba family honor when we first met. Of all the things we hold close to us in the family, friendship is one of the highest clan values. You mess with our allies, you mess with us. You need only say the word and I'll jump right in alongside you."

Looks like you've made a powerful ally Lelouch. Eien Tamashi stated.

I nodded. "All right, but you can't tell Shiba-fukutaicho."

"Three can keep a secret if two are dead huh?" Kukaku asked rhetorically. "All right, I'll keep this a secret from Kaien as much as I can. I can't make guarantees. My older brother is sharp as a tack. The moment he catches wind of my unnatural actions he'll want answers. Of course, I can get him to join us if he starts to make a fuss."

She can make ever her older brother cower before her? I thought to myself.

"Now as for the answer to your question, Yoruichi and I go way back to when she, Kisuke and I were all children, but of course you just want the juicy details. I'm going to take a stab in the dark here and say you met Yoruichi in the world of the living and she told you she had a contact here in the Soul Society, who turns out to be me. Am I right so far?"

"Spot on." I said. Maybe partnering with Kukaku won't be so bad after all. She's certainly rather perceptive.

"So then what you're looking for is what I've already given you, an alliance. Really not much else I can give you considering I didn't know Aizen was a complete and total bastard until you told me." Kukaku stated.

"That's fine." I said. At least I have someone to watch my back. And if all else fails I can use the Shibas as a scapegoat if absolutely necessary.

"Well, then I guess our business is done for now." Kukaku got to her feet. "If I hear anything I'll send you a coded letter. Someone like you wouldn't have any trouble breaking secret codes."

"That I wouldn't." I grinned.

"So then, let's go head back outside." Kukaku looked at her watch. "The party's probably over by now. You should probably go get your captain, assuming she's still passed out."

I realized that I had left Yuna lying there on the chairs and bit my lip. Oh she is going to kill me. I thought to myself. I raced back to Yuna using a few flash steps only to find her still fast asleep on the chairs. I let out a deep breath. I have got some guardian angel watching over me here. I thought to myself.

Or you're just having a lucky day. Don't let it go to your head.

Thanks. You make a really good point there. I thought.

I…uh…you're welcome.

Eien Tamashi loved to argue with me. I take away the argument, I take away her power.

You suck!

I ignored her outburst and sat down next to Yuna to get her to wake up. "Hey," I shook her, "Yuna, wake up."

Yuna stirred and yawned. Her yawn was like a dove's gentle coo through the morning air. "What time is it?"

"Late enough that the party's over," I told her, "We need to be heading back to the division."

"What? It's that late." She snapped awake. "Oh my gosh, I'm sorry Lelouch."

"It's ok, don't worry about it." I guess she thinks I was at her side this entire time. It'd be cruel of me to tell her otherwise. Not to mention I can't tell her what I was really doing.

"Well let's head back to the division then." Yuna stated.

We walked back to the division together and upon reaching the front gates of the barracks Yuna turned to face me. "Lelouch…I had the most wonderful time with you tonight."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You…you don't get it do you?" she asked.

"Get what?" I asked.

"Gah! Baka!" she shouted in irritation before grabbing my face and lowering it down to hers and kissed my passionately, as she had the day she left. She let go of me after a brief period. She was blushing. I put my fingers to my lower lip. "My…my feelings towards you haven't changed. I…I know what I said when you saw me that evening, but…I was just trying not to be selfish. I thought that my search and my training to get Bankai might get me killed, but now that I'm back…I have to know. I have to know how you feel about me. I need to know…if I'm wasting my time or not…with you."

I told you. Eien Tamashi chimed.

I was speechless. I didn't know what to say to her. Yuna was a good friend. Did I think of her as more than that? I honestly didn't know. I couldn't make a decision now. I had to tell her the truth. "Yuna…I don't know…I really don't know, but I…I don't dislike you…or this…us." I said. I can't afford to be tied down. I can't let my emotions get the better of me.

"I…I see…please excuse me." Yuna ran off.

That was cruel of you. Eien Tamashi said.

But necessary. I responded. Even if I felt the same as she did to me…I probably would've responded the same. I can't let my emotins tie me down. I made that mistake with Kallen. I made that mistake with Shirley. I made that mistake with Euphimia. And I made that mistake…with Nunnally. At least this way she won't be heartbroken. I told her that I didn't know and that will give her hope. After she gets over the shock that I don't reciprocate her feelings right now, it will only drive her to try harder. Essentially she'll be the one emotionally tied to me.

Using even the ones who care for you as mere tools in your plan…you truly have awakened.

Yes, I thought looking up at the sky, I believe I have.

End of Chapter 18

(A/N: Hey folks, don't click that little red x in the top right hand corner just yet. I have a special treat for you all. A friend of mine blekmedelninjan wrote an omake for the series. Please enjoy it in place of the usual author's notes).

Chapter 16.62: Lelouch finds Something Interesting

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING OMAKE CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR MINORS. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED

3rd Person pov

Lelouch was... disturbed. It was the best label for his shocked concoction of feelings for this strange reveal. He had been rummaging through Nemu's room to find a syringe- somehow, the lab had ran out of sterile ones, and he needed one for one of the many experiments twelfth was running.

In his search, he had sudenly come upon a nondescript, black cardboard box. Thinking nothing of it, he had taken the lid off, and as he saw the contents... his face went a little pale. Not so much for its contents, but because Nemu had them.

"Lelouch-sama?" It was Nemu's voice, from the doorway. Great. "What are you doing with my collection of pornography?"

"I..." Lelouch decided that the truth was the best option here. "I was looking for a syringe, and your room was the closest, and I came upon it by accident. It's... Nemu, these are weird!"

"They are?" Nemu replied, her face innocent. "But I like them..."

Lelouch, flustered, tried to come up with a reply. "It's just... these things are seen as bad by a lot of people, Nemu. VERY bad."

"Scientifically speaking, there is nothing harmful about these collections of exotic erotic photographies and stories." Nemu replied. "I find that they are very helpful as visual aides for masturbation."

"Ma-ma-maaah?" was all that Lelouch could stammer out.

"Masturbation. The art of pleasuring oneself till a sexual climax is reach-"

"I know what it is!" Lelouch snapped. "Question is, where did YOU learn about it?"

"In a book on human anatomy." Lelouch swore to himself. Who knew anatomy could be so devious? "It said that it was a healthy, easy excercise that relieved stress and improved general psychological health, much like sex. I can testify that it was not incorrect."

"Yes, yes," Lelouch muttered gruffly, "but why... this sort of porn?" He flipped throug hthe titles. 'Lewd In Leather: A Dominatrix's memoirs'? 'Spank me if I misbehave'? 'Sensual lesbian bondage paradise'- wait, I know that one, it's pretty good- never mind! And... 'Barely Legal Leather Sluts?' What is this, Nemu?"

"It took me a while to find out what excited me." Nemu said, her face still equally innocent, her voice still as deadpan. "But somehow, the idea of a submissive party being dominated by a sexually aggressive party appeals to me. I of course had to do quite a bit of research."

Lelouch's face was, at this point, blushing beet red. He had never imagined Nemu would be like this! "Is this... two men doing what I think they are doing?"

"I do not discriminate between sexes as far as erotic art goes." She said, her face unbearably straight. "Is there a problem, Lelouch-sama?" Nemu inquired. Why wasn't she the least bit bothered? Everyone kept porn, but it was always secret! Why?

"N-never mind!" he half shouted, turning to the door. Grabbing 'Sensual lesbian bondage paradise, he said, "You be careful with these things! Anyone can find it! I am confiscating this! Thankyouandgoodbye!"

With that, he fled the scene, leaving a slightly confused Nemu.

"...he still forgot his syringe. How odd."

Chapter 16.62 end.