Note: The first proper snapshot of the story. :)


Snapshot 1

"Geass? That's a funny name," Nunnally remarked after learning her power's proper name.

"Have you tried it out again since that day?" C.C. asked. She sat on the girl's bed, swinging her legs off the side.

Nunnally shook her head. "I don't know what happens to the person after I take their sight. Does it return to them after it wears off? I don't want to test it on my brother and..." She trailed off.

"Geass doesn't work on me," C.C. said, understanding the implied question.

"That makes sense," Nunnally softly replied. "It's so strange though. Not only did I take that man's sight and ability to walk, but I also gained some of his memories."

"That's when you discovered the viceroy's plan?"

"Yes... Clovis ordered his soldiers to kill all the Japanese people on the train," Nunnally bitterly recalled. She shuddered when the sound of gunshots rang through her ears once again, as if she went back in time to that moment.

C.C. turned away from the girl and peeked out the window. "Your brother is here—and there's someone with him."

"What?"


Lelouch briefly glanced at the young man before asking him what drink he wanted. With so many nobles coming to Tokyo for Prince Clovis' funeral, his nights became much more hectic.

"Just water, please. I'm technically on duty 24/7 so I can't afford to become drunk," the man answered.

"Alright." Lelouch poured a glass of water. "That sounds like a horrible arrangement, but you've got to do—Suzaku?" Lelouch's hand slipped and spilled the water on the counter.

Next to him, Rivalz grabbed some towels and began soaking up the water before their manager noticed.

"Lelouch! Man, what's gotten into you lately? You've been so careless and—!" He also became dumbstruck at the sight of Princess Euphemia's knight.

"It's been a long time, Lelouch," Suzaku said.

"Ten years," Lelouch replied bitterly.

The bar manager soon caught notice and barked, "Lamperouge! What are you doing slacking off?"

Lelouch's expression darkened, but Suzaku spoke before him.

"Good sir, this young man and I have ten years to catch up on. I request he be relieved of his duties for the remainder of the evening." Suzaku pulled out his badge, confirming his identity as a royal knight of Britannia.

"Suzaku Kururugi," the manager briefly trembled. "I would gladly do so, but not on a night as busy as tonight."

"I'll pay you whatever profits you feel are lost by his absence," Suzaku insisted. The bar manager blinked in surprise and accepted the offer.

Lelouch exited the bar disgruntled. "I take care of myself. You didn't have to say anything."

"I didn't want you to lose your job." Suzaku wore dark glasses to prevent others from recognizing him. They rode the bus back to Ashford Academy.

"How did you find me?" Lelouch asked as they walked through the school.

"I wasn't looking for you. Euphy has been in knots about her brother's death and has been surrounded by her family constantly. They have some...colorful things to say about Eleve—Japanese that I had to escape, even if it's only for a moment." Suzaku sighed.

"Oh, I see," Lelouch said. Working in a bar, he knew

"So," Suzaku perked up. "How's Nunnally?"

"Safe. She was on that train, and it's a miracle she survived."

"What? Why was she there, wasn't she...?"

"Disabled? Yes, she is. She had a bulky, ugly machine that she practices walking around on in the house, and decided to take it out to the park. I don't know what she was thinking, or why no one stopped her. But she's alive, and that's all that matters."

"Does anyone else know this? There're many people who are skeptical of the accounts of Clovis' men, so you must be careful to keep her safe."

"She won't tell me anything. I think the trauma is too much, so she's suppressed the memory just like our mother's murder. Suzaku, you know I would do anything to keep her safe."

"I know. You haven't changed at all, Lelouch."

"On the other hand, you've become nearly unrecognizable. The Suzaku I knew would have gotten into a fight with my manager, and joining the Britannian military would be out of the question. Why did you do that anyway?" Lelouch looked away from Suzaku.

"I want to change Britannia," Suzaku said, as if it was a natural conclusion.

"You stole my line."

"Oh no, if I remember correctly, you wanted to 'destroy' Britannia," Suzaku jokingly corrected.

"I still do. My plan experienced a major setback when Emperor Charles disappeared last year, but I still fully intend to complete that task," Lelouch noted.

"But you're just one man. Doesn't that seem a bit far-fetched, even for you?"

"And yours isn't? One Japanese man changing the fundamental beliefs of an empire that's over two thousand years old?!"

Suzaku laughed at his friend's expression. "You're too serious for your own good, Lelouch."

"I guess I am."

The working staff of the school waved hello to Lelouch as the two men entered the school. Suzaku marveled at the tall windows and elegant ceiling of the school.

"Nice place you've got here, Lelouch."

"It's not mine. A friend of my mother housed Nunnally and I here after the invasion while we attend their school."

"What happens after Nunnally graduates?" Suzaku asked.

"I'm taking care of that," Lelouch assured him. He didn't want Suzaku to interfere any more. Their paths only opposed each other, and Lelouch couldn't afford to rely on him too much or risk owing him.

"Nunnally, I'm home! And I have a surprise for you!" Lelouch announced after unlocking the door to the clubhouse.

C.C. stayed in Nunnally's room when Sayako came to take the girl to her brother.

Suzaku smiled when he saw her. She grew so much in the last ten years. Lelouch motioned for both Sayako and his guest to remain silent. Suzaku bent down and took Nunnally by the hand. She remembered this hand! Feeling the rough knuckles of these large hands made her remember the smell of the Japanese outdoors. Ten years ago she and Lelouch lived at the Kururugi shrine and met the prime minister's son.

"Suzaku! I'm so glad you're here, but shouldn't you be with Princess Euphy?"

"When I saw Lelouch, I couldn't resist the opportunity to see the both of you again."

Lelouch dismissed Sayako before asking, "So how's the family doing these days?"

"Cornelia is keen to take over the position of viceroy, and she likes to keep Euphy close by. Odysseus has all but become Emperor after securing the Chinese Federation by marrying their Empress."

"He married her? I didn't hear anything about that," Lelouch pouted.

"He's going to officially announce it after he's voted emperor by your siblings."

"What about Schneizel?"

"I... um, I don't know what he's doing," Suzaku admitted.

"He won't let Odysseus become emperor without a serious campaign of his own."

"Why do I feel like you just used me to obtain information?"

"Even though we're not a part of the family anymore, it's nice to know what's going on with our brothers and sisters," Nunnally explained.

Suzaku paused. There was one thing they didn't ask him. "You don't seem disturbed by Clovis' death," he remarked.

"Nobles are murdered all the time, Suzaku. It's every man for himself out there. I wouldn't be surprised if this was planned by one of the others," Lelouch said. He crossed his arms.

Suzaku noticed Nunnally's unsettled hand movements. She straightened out her nightdress, and a remorseful frown was present on her face. Lelouch decided to end the visit, as Nunnally grew more uncomfortable the more they spoke about Clovis' death.

"While the power vacuum left by the emperor stands, you need to be especially careful for Euphy's sake," Lelouch warned. He sent a wayward glance in Nunnally's direction, and Suzaku was reminded about what Lelouch said earlier.

"Alright then, Lelouch. Nunnally, good night." Lelouch left to lead Suzaku back to the bus stop.

C.C. stepped into the room shortly afterwards, startling Nunnally when she spoke. "So, you're royalty? I guess that makes Clovis' death a family affair now."

"I didn't kill him," Nunnally quickly retorted.

"Could have fooled me. You believe this was your fault, so it is. I'm not going to tell you otherwise." C.C. twirled as she spoke.

"Wow... You're amazing at consoling someone," Nunnally sarcastically stated.

"Thank you. You know, you and your brother are much more interesting than that ragtag group I was with."

"The terrorists?"

"I wouldn't go so far to call them that..." C.C. smiled and rested her finger on her chin. "They aren't very good terrorists. They don't even have a name for themselves."

"They just need some encouragement," Nunnally said.

"Just like you did for that young man?"

Nunnally blushed. "Japan deserves to be free, and the Japanese people should be the ones to take that freedom."

"Do you want to help them?"

Nunnally opened her mouth to answer, and closed it.

"Hmm... Very interesting."