Chapter Text
“On the count of rape, how do you find the defendant?”
“We the jury, find the defendant, Lelouch Lamperouge, guilty of rape in the first degree.”
“And on the count of murder, how do you find the defendant?”
“We find the defendant, Lelouch Lamperouge, guilty of murder in the first degree.”
“Mr. Lamperouge, you will appear back here for sentencing in three days; because of the crime and its heinous nature, do not expect a light sentencing because of your age,” the judge looked disgusted as did the jury and the whole courtroom. After all what fifteen year old raped, mutilated and murdered his sister.
Lelouch had merely nodded at those words. His life was now the states and he could only be happy that the death penalty was no longer legal for juveniles, even if they were accused of such heinous crimes. When he was being cuffed he looked around the courtroom; their eyes all glared at him. He knew they all wanted justice, real justice, they wanted him dead for the murder of poor Euphie. He couldn’t blame them. He wanted justice too, he wanted revenge on the bastard that killed his cousin. Revenge on the bastard that was taking away his freedom.
As his eyes scanned the crowd he saw one set of emerald eyes blazing with fury, disgust and hatred. Eyes that hurt more than even the punch Cornelia landed when she visited him in jail.
He was broken from the emerald eyes, when a heavy hand was places on his shoulder and he was forced to look into the violet eyes of his half-brother and lawyer, Schneizel.
“I’ll be there for your sentencing, but there is not much else I can do but put in appeals, which are useless without new evidence. I’m sorry, Lelouch.”
He had merely looked at his brother in shock. Schneizel, had given up. They all had, they all thought he was really guilty.
He shrugged off the hand and let the guards escort him to his new home.
And it had been his home for four years. Four years in a prison full of murderers, rapists and drug lords. Four years of hell. Four years of his life gone and he would murder the bastard who stole those years and hurt poor innocent Euphie.
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Four Years Later
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Before him sat, Schneizel, the elder brother of his ex-best friend and Cornelia the elder sister of his first love and sister of her murderer. What they had told him, Suzaku Kururugi, had left his mouth dry and eyes wide.
“Innocent?” the question had slipped out almost automatically.
Schneizel cleared his throat, “yes it seems new evidence has come to light that proves it.”
He looked over towards the purple haired woman next to Schneizel. Cornelia, since they arrived at Suzaku’s home, had looked at nothing but the table. To find out only a day ago herself, that her half-brother who she had sworn her undying hatred towards, was innocent and that her sister’s murderer was still at large, must have been ten times the shock. When Euphemia had been murdered the woman had been devastated and it seemed she was devastated all over again.
“May I ask what evidence,” he was utterly flabbergasted and could not grasp the news. All the prior evidence pointed towards the incarcerated teen.
It was even more of a surprise when Cornelia answered instead of the ever cool Schneizel, “Apparently they discovered four different killings that matched Euphie’s… case. Almost identical in fact. The bastard even used the same weapon.”
“Why is this just coming out now? How didn’t they connect these murders before? How could they have messed up like this? Lelouch, he went to-” he didn’t even realize he had stood up and had begun to yell.
“Calm down, Kururugi,” Schneizel said calmly.
“How can I calm down? Euphie’s murderer is still out there! Still hurting innocent people and because of him Lelouch is in prison!” he was panting by the time he was done.
“We are very aware of that Kururugi and I have already set up Lelouch’s court date for his appeal to be heard. The reason they did not put the murderers together is because they happened in different states and a year apart. States rarely communicate these things and with the time gap it is nearly impossible to fathom that they would be connected. The only reason this was even looked into was from pleading to the police, from Lelouch and me. After that they were able to find forensic evidence that was able connected the murders,” Schneizel sighed as he carded his fingers through his hair. “Even though there was no sperm at any of the murderers they were able to find some loose hairs and fibers though, the hair does not match any DNA of known criminals in the system. Not to mention, he never minded to change the murder weapon nor to change his drug of choice to weaken his victims. Almost as if he felt untouchable.”
“Lelouch was able to connect them?” he said as he reclaimed his seat.
Cornelia snorted, “Apparently he’s a better detective that the real ones.”
“And one of the only people to actually still believed in his innocence,” Schneizel chuckled. “He never was one to give up was he?”
What Schneizel had said hurt. It felt as if he was just gut punched and the realization that he was just as guilty as those detectives who screwed up the case. He hadn’t believed in Lelouch, even though they were supposedly best friends.
“When will he be released?” he wanted to be there for him; wanted to make up for those four years.
At this the blonde leaned forward, “that’s why we are here. Lelouch should have his appeal heard in court in two weeks and be released shortly after. He’ll then live me and once school starts this fall he’ll start his last year of high school. Nunnally will continue to live with Cornelia as Lelouch will need time to settle back into society and his mental state on that matter is unknown. He has refused to see anyone for three years. It was only after I heard his call about his want for an appeal that I had talked to him, and I’ve been running myself ragged ever since.” He leaned back into the sofa, “Kururugi, you were friends with Lelouch once and I feel it would be beneficial for him to reconnect with someone familiar. I ask, that during his reintegration into society, you will be a friendly face?” Schneizel’s violet eyes looked almost pleading. When he looked at Cornelia, hers were shrouded still in grief and shame but the clenching of her fists showed her apprehension.
“Of course, I own Lelouch that much,” he bowed his head.
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When the court date had arrived Suzaku wore his best suit and sat in the back of the courtroom. From his spot he could see a slim figure, wearing a black suit, be escorted into the room. Even after four years and a few inches added to his height, Suzaku could recognize Lelouch’s form. His hair was a little longer and framed his face. He wasn’t that awkward 15 year old anymore.
As he sat there through the proceedings, he kept hoping the boy would look back just so Suzaku could fully see his face but ever diligent the raven haired boy kept his attention on the judge as the new evidence was presented and evaluated.
“Please rise; Mr. Lamperouge with all the evidence and testimony I can see that you have been unrightfully imprisoned. You will never get those four years, which should have been spent with friends and family, back but I hope you will be able to recover after this ordeal and finally begin to heal yourself. I move for your immediate removal from prison and that your record be expunged. I greatly apologize for the failures of the court,” the judge gave her speech with sad eyes that made Suzaku choke and then left after a slam of her gavel. That was right, Lelouch had lost his half-sister and had no one to lean on. Suzaku at least had his father and friends, Lelouch had no one.
When the people started to exit the courtroom was when Lelouch decided to turn and when he saw those amethyst eyes, he did not know what he expected, relief maybe? What he did not expect was the cold deadness of those eyes.
He did not know what fear possessed him but all the courage he had built for this day had drained from him the moment he saw those cold eyes.
And he ran.