A/N: This is just major drabble, it's really poorly written so don't judge me. When I typed it up, I had no intentions of posting it, but I decided to anyway. So you can point out grammer flaws but I'd like it if you kept away from the sentence structure and stuff since I already know it's poor. Also, let me know if either of the characters is too OOC. I hope you like it anyway. (x

Disclaimer: I don't own Code Geass.

By the way, Savvy, AKA LawlietxRinoa, this one's for you, because we (more or less) discovered/got into this anime together. Merci!


She had started to imagine Zero's obscuring mask as a face. Recently, whenever she looked at it she got a different image of the face behind it. She knew he wasn't Japanese, but what was he? The mystery of his identity caused a great number of Black Knights to distrust the man, but it only intrigued her. She found it very… mysterious. And alluring.

She hadn't even noticed that the Black Knights had left the large room. She stood in front of him in a confused daze; he stood before her, his shoulders raised proudly, his head tipped in a questioning manner. She couldn't even tell what his expression was. He could've been crying through their whole meeting and none of the Knights would ever know.

She blinked. And then Zero was standing by the door. There were a few beeping sounds as he entered a code into a panel by the door, and then the door slid close in accordance to his command. He swiftly turned back to her.

"Kallen Kozuki."

"…Zero," she returned, trying not to sound too jumpy.

"How loyal are you, Kozuki?" the masked terrorist continued.

Was that a trick question? "I am loyal to my country, Zero, and to anyone who will fight for it." Hopefully that would satisfy him.

"Can I trust you?" he went on.

Kallen answered straight away. "Of course you can."

"I find you trustworthy enough. You may turn out to be an invaluable ally. Kozuki, I will entrust you with my identity." He raised his hand to his mask.

Kallen's eyes widened in anticipation. Was this it? Was she really about to see the man behind the mask?

Zero's hand hesitated to a halt. "What is the meaning of that expression? Do you object?"

"No—I… no. I do not," she stammered.

Zero nodded curtly, and again raised his hand to his mask.

"Arthur! Arthur!"

What?

"Arthur! Ah—don't go up there."

What was Zero talking about? Why did his voice suddenly sound so—familiar?

"No, you're going to wake her—"

'Zero''s plea to the unknown 'Arthur' was cut short as Kallen felt something wet and rough scrape against her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open as the frisky cat turned and rubbed its cheek against hers, groaning sharply as she was forced awake.

Damnit. She was about to see Zero's face, too.

No; that was wrong. She was about to see what she thought Zero's face might be, in her dream. In reality, she didn't think it very likely at all that she'd see his face before she died.

Kallen rubbed her eyes, clearing her vision only slightly. Arthur was quickly swept up by a long arm. Kallen's eyes followed the limb to come face to face with Lelouch.

"Sorry," he said, giving a laugh that sounded very forced and unnatural. "But it seems that Arthur wanted someone more interesting than me to play with."

Kallen didn't respond, blinking the sleep out of her eyes and giving the room a brief survey. "Where is everyone?"

"They've all left. They decided you needed your beauty sleep," Lelouch replied, a satisfied smirk curling onto his lips.

Kallen rolled her eyes, again ignoring him. She straightened out in her chair, stretching her arms up and looking down at the table. Her textbook page was wrinkled up, which could only be expected, as she used the uncomfortable book as a pillow. She hadn't realized how tired she was.

"Anyway, since you're awake now, you wouldn't mind if I put the news on, would you?" Lelouch's eyes drifted to the large television on the opposite wall.

"Knock yourself out," Kallen said. Literally.

As the sound of two dull, anchor voices filled the room, Kallen propped her head up with her hand lazily.

"…And in other news, the number of anonymous tips coming in concerning the masked terrorist, Zero, is escalating swiftly. Dozens of callers claim to know Zero, while even more claim to be him. If you have any tips that could help in the investigation, and putting this criminal to an end, please call the number below. Zero has recently—"

A sigh coming from Lelouch's direction interrupted the anchor. He clicked the TV off.

"Wait—why'd you turn that off?" Kallen objected instinctively.

Lelouch turned to her, a questioning look on his face. "I'm sorry—were you watching? I just don't particularly want to hear any more about Zero. I was hoping something besides talk of him and the Black Knights would be on."

"Oh."

"Did you want to watch it, though? I don't mind turning it back on."

"No—no, that's alright. I don't really like… hearing about him either." It was more or less true. She didn't like the way the news talked about him.

"It's a moot point anyway." Lelouch crossed the room, stopping by the table Kallen was sitting at to stroke Arthur.

Kallen raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

Lelouch looked up at her like the answer to her question was painfully obvious. "Zero's reign can't last much longer."

Kallen studied him briefly; there didn't seem to be any trace of a lie in his eyes. In fact, his eyes said: "If society doesn't get rid of Zero, I will, personally."

She looked down at her textbook, absently flipping a few pages. "You really think so?"

The young Britannian nodded solemnly.

Kallen took another moment to study him. "Is that what you want?"

It seemed to catch him off guard. "I don't know." She looked at him expectantly, so he continued. "I agree with Zero only to the point that the elevens deserve independence, but his methods are completely shameless. He holds no dignity or self respect whatsoever. He'd kill his own family if they got in his way."

"…But you do agree with him," Kallen finished for him.

Lelouch hesitated. "I suppose so."

"Then why don't you act on it?"

Lelouch's eyes narrowed slightly, looking offended. "Excuse me?"

"It's people like you who screw the Jap—I mean Elevens over. If you wanted, you could make a difference, but you just sit and let things happen, too lazy and pompous to get your hands dirty. If you live like that… well, you're no better than those who kill Elevens!" Kallen stood up and slammed her textbook closed, tucking it under her arm.

"Where are you going?"

"I don't know. I suddenly can't stand the sight of you, for some reason."

"Hm."

With an annoyed sigh, Kallen turned and started for the door.

"Kallen?"

She turned swiftly to face him, silent.

"You accuse me of not acting out—what of you, then? What do you do to help the Elevens?"

Kallen stammered, her heart thumping rapidly. Just then, she'd been speaking as the Japanese Kallen, not the Britannian one. She'd reveal herself if she wasn't more careful.

"I don't need this from you," she said vaguely, and then turned, exiting quickly.

She wasn't sure of it, but it looked like, as she left, Lelouch smiled at her. This time, his eyes seemed to read, "I'm proud of you, Kallen."


Thanks for reading.The next part'll be set after
Kallen discovered that Lelouch
is Zero, just for future reference. ;)