What would it be like if Kallen wasn't keeping the façade of a shy, harmless girl while attending Ashford?

Hmmm…

XxX

"Are you ready, Suzaku?"

"I was born ready."

She rolled her eyes at the cheesy phrase, wondering why she had ever thought it would be a good idea to introduce Suzaku to the world of old action films. Well, no point dwelling on it now since she was about to beat him senseless.

She grasped her shinai with both hands and stepped towards the X on the floor in the center of the room. Suzaku adopted a similar stance, leaning until their bamboo swords were touching. Clad in exercise clothes, they stood still for a few seconds, staring each other down.

Then, it started.

Kallen was the first to make a move, swinging her weapon in a wide arc, going on the offensive. They clashed repeatedly, pounding away mercilessly against each other.

It was pure ecstasy.

This was how kendo was supposed to be, a fluid dance of power and speed, predicting each other's movements and countering with their own. Kallen strikes. Suzaku blocks. Suzaku slashes. Kallen parries.

She should've asked Suzaku to spar with her ages ago. For the first time in her life, Kallen didn't have to hold back. She could go all out, deal all her blows with all her might without having to stop before she hit home. She could take advantage of every situation without feeling bad about overwhelming her opponent. She had finally met her equal.

Before long, it wasn't even kendo anymore. It was more along the lines of a duel.

A duel between two skilled contestants.

Two contestants who were laughing like madmen.

Suzaku shot out his leg, aiming for Kallen's left side. She blocked the kick with her shinai. Seeing an opportunity, the Japanese fighter brought down his sword on her unprotected right shoulder.

Kallen grunted in pain.

Maybe we should've worn protective gear after all

Not to be outdone, she released her right hand from its firm grip on her shinai and slugged the brunette's cheek, sending him stumbling backwards.

"No hits on the face," Suzaku mumbled, his hand clutching his cheekbone.

"My, my Suzaku, I didn't know you were so vain."

"Well, unlike a certain someone, I actually have something to be vain about."

With an angry roar, the redhead launched herself at her enemy, swinging her weapon down on his head. He frantically slashed upwards with his own weapon, using all his strength to try to stop Kallen's enraged strike.

The two swords clashed in an ear-splitting crash and broke, splinters flying everywhere from the force of the impact.

The fighters stared dumbly at their broken weapons.

"What say we call it a dra-"

Suzaku was cut short was Kallen's knee collided with his stomach, sending him flying backwards.

Kallen had a fierce snarl on her face as she charged toward the fallen brunette.

Understanding dawned on Suzaku's face as he rolled to the right, narrowly dodging Kallen's leg.

There was no stopping them now.

Kallen jumped high in the air and brought her leg down on Suzaku's shoulder. Ignoring the pain, Suzaku held on to Kallen's leg and swung her around before releasing. The redhead spun on her hands and leapt back on her feet, only to duck once again, missing Suzaku's punch by a hair's breadth. She swept Suzaku's legs out from under him before flipping up and bringing her leg down on his chest.

And so, the fight continued.

Fists flew and legs swung as neither opponents gave way to their many injuries. The two athletes were practically flying through the air in a series of back flips and aerials. Any martial arts fan watching this fight would be screaming for joy.

"Aw, what's the matter Kallen? Did I hit you too hard? Do you have a boo-boo?"

As a matter of fact, she had several "boo-boos"… but she wasn't going to let Suzaku know that her boo-boos friggin' hurt.

"Actually I do have one teeny-weeny little boo-boo," she replied, smirking as she stuck up her middle finger, "Kiss it for me?"

"Dear Kallen! I'm didn't know you were the type to do such a profane act! I'm flabbergasted!"

"Not as flabbergasted as I was when I found those nude pictures of Euphemia under your bed."

I didn't know a person's face could turn THAT shade of red, thought Kallen, an amused expression on her face as Suzaku spluttered his comeback.

"W-what?? What are y-you talking ab-about?? I don't h-have a-any um… Wait, how did you get into my roo-"

The air was knocked out of his lungs as the redhead tackled him to the floor. She pinned his arms down with her knees and repeatedly beat down on his ribs. He freed his arms and threw her backwards, pinning her down on her stomach, her arms flailing in his unwavering hold.

"What in the WORLD are you two DOING?!"

Two heads shot toward the doorway, shock written on their faces. There, right in front of them, stood Lelouch Lamperouge, eyes bulging out of its sockets and his jaw practically dropping to the floor.

Suzaku immediately leapt off of Kallen, his arms raised in front of him. Kallen scrambled up after him, dusting herself off.

The three formed a triangle, each staring at each other.

"Well," chuckled Suzaku, "this is awkwar-"

He was cut off short as Lelouch's shoe collided with his face. His hand flew to his eye as he stared at the furious raven-haired boy.

"Geez, what is UP with you two?? Can't I finish a single sentence without getting injur-"

He was shoved (rather weakly) as Lelouch angrily yelled at him.

"WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO ATTACK A GIRL?! Just LOOK at her, she's covered in bruises and scratches!!"

"And Suzaku isn't? Stop being ridiculous, Lelouch. We were sparring. Why do you even care anyways?"

"Why do I CARE?? He practically beat you up-"

"He DID NOT!! I was WINNING!" Suzaku scoffed at this, "SHUT UP SUZAKU!! This is ENOUGH, Lelouch. You don't need to defend me-"

"Lelouch," started Suzaku, "Please, I didn't meant to hurt Kallen. I rarely have the opportunity to fight with someone of Kallen's skill and I just couldn't resist when she asked me to duel with her. I should've taken more care not to harm her. I understand your concern and I apologize profusely."

He extended his hand towards Lelouch. The Britannian reluctantly shook it, nodding slowly at the other boy.

Kallen looked from one to the other, standing there staring at each other and understanding each other's concern. She didn't understand why Lelouch had reacted so. She didn't see how Lelouch fit in the situation at all. Who were they, to take away her fun from her and turn it into some kind of retarded understanding between themselves? He should've taken more care to not harm her? What the hell? She could've cracked all his ribs. She could beat up both of these imbeciles standing in front of her and she wouldn't apologize to either.

Lelouch made his exit then, staring warily at her before departing. Suzaku turned to her, noticing the silent waves of fury emanating from her person. He held her eyes and took a deep bow, understanding the source of her anger.

"I'm sorry," he said, before he too left the room.

Well.

Lelouch was still a horse's ass.

XxX

The door to his room was flung open as a very mad redhead stormed in. She slammed the door behind her before turning to face him, blue eyes burning with anger.

"What the HELL, LELOUCH?!"

He stared blankly back at her, noting the bandages on her face, arms, and legs.

"Am I the only one who notices the various INJURIES on your body?"

"So?? It was not your place to intervene! I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, without your stupid, UNNEEDED concern!!"

Now he was angry. He stood up and marched towards her.

"UNNEEDED?? If I didn't come in at that moment, you'd be in a neck brace and have broken legs and arms. Excuse me, if I CARE FOR YOUR WELFARE!!"

"My WELFARE?? When have you ever cared?? Why does this anger you so?"

"WHY DO I CARE?? I HAVE A MILLIONS REASONS TO BE ANGRY WHEN THE GIRL I'M IN LOVE WITH IS COVERED IN BLOOD FROM HEAD TO TOE!"

The reply that was rising from her throat died as his words hit her in the face. She stood, mouth agape and eyes wide as she stared at him. He, on the other hand, collapsed tiredly on his bed as he ran a hand through his ebony locks.

"That wasn't really how I wanted to tell you… but I am irrevocably, unmistakably in love with you, Kallen."

His violet eyes rose to meet her shocked ones, hope in the violet irises.

She couldn't move. Couldn't breathe, couldn't speak. She just stared, dumbfounded and confused.

He sighed, eyes moving to the floor as despair clouded his form.

"I guess you don't feel the same way…"

A pair of hands cupped his face and lifted it up as her lips pressed against his. Words could not describe the joy in his heart as he wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her down with him. She laughed breathlessly as he kissed every part of her face before crashing his lips against her own. They separated and stared into each other's eyes.

"I love you too," she whispered before the two engaged in a passionate kiss.

She pulled away when she felt long fingers under her shirt

"Le-Lelouch!!" she shrieked, her hand swatting his fingers away.

"What?" he asked innocently, "you love me and I love you. What's the problem here?"

She fumbled for some kind of excuse.

"Are you forgetting that I'm injured? What happened to all your concern over my welfare?"

"Chivalry is dead," he replied, persistent fingers going back to their destination.

All protest was squashed as his mouth was forced upon hers, disabling her from speaking.

Men… she thought, rolling her eyes.

She managed to extricate herself from his kiss, taking in a deep breath as his lips found their way to her neck.

"Fine, have it your way."

He smiled a dazzling smile as he raised his head to look at her.

"But…" she said as her legs locked around his waist, "it's only fair since I'm injured and whatnot…"

She flipped him over, pinning his legs as she straddled him and holding his arms down against his side, her superior strength rejecting his pathetic struggles.

"It's only fair that I get to be on top."

XxX

Suzaku grimaced as he looked at his body in the mirror. His chest was purple and swollen, the bruises extending along his abdomen and arms. There were various scratches and cuts on his face and back. He slowly wrapped all his injuries in bandages, doing it as gingerly as he could. He walked slowly towards his bed, body sore and protesting the movement. He fell clumsily on the mattress, groaning as his limbs finally gave way.

Suddenly, his eyes shot open and he reached under his bed, searching for his prized possession. He found it and his arms withdrew, cradling a box marked: PRIVATE.

He opened it and sighed in relief as he saw that Kallen had not removed the contents.

I better find a new hiding place… he thought, taking out a single photo.

An expression of horror crossed his face as he examined it, and then another, and another until he had looked over every picture in the box.

She had drawn on his pictures.

His precious pictures.

On his beloved Euphemia.

Oh, she was going to PAY!!

XxX

I'll leave you readers to imagine what Kallen drew on the pictures.

So, what are your thoughts? Good or bad?

Review!!

Oh, and any ideas or requests are appreciated! Be it a word or an entire storyline, either would be a great help!