I figured the first chapter was a little to short to really create an opinion off of so I decided to throw up chapter 2 as well, quite a bit more happens this time as we move through the last of the grieving and stride towards the future. No Nunnally because I honestly can't really write her well, I apologise and I will be working on how to get her in here eventually. (Big brother I can understand, being one myself, little sister not so much ;3)

The sum of what I own is nothing =(


II.


Chapter 2: Chains

Stumbling over her ankles the 'Black Knights' Ace finally rolled to a halt. Laying on her back in short, trimmed grass she stared up into the clearing sky.

"It's not fair. It's not FAIR Lelouch! How can I be happy now?" she said with ragged breath. Her supple limbs achingly heavy and burning with pain as her muscles contracted all across her body. Her feet were bruised, blistered, and raw from running for who knew how long.

Raising her insanely heavy head she checked her surroundings. Surprised shock coming out on her fair features as she recognized the small graveyard he brother rested in. Clambering onto aching feet she limped over and down the neat, orderly row of headstones. Recognizing a few of her former friends or allies until she reached her goal. A simple headstone with his name was all that marked the former leader of the resistance cell that, with Lelouch's help, would become the seed of the greatest revolutionary army in history.

Standing was just to much effort. the cerulean-eyed fighter collapsed around her brothers headstone. Curling protectively around it she whispered to him.

"Hey, brother. Its been a while." she started. "I guess I should have come to see you sooner. Things have been... hectic for a while. A lot has changed since we last talked. I... I fell in love, brother. He's even an egotistical, dense brittanian with a god AND sister complex." almost choking the red queen continued "But... we almost made your dream come true Naoto. Almost... Lulu did most of the work though. He found us, Ohgi, Tamaki and Me. Then he brought us up from terrorists, to world renown figures and leaders. Known for our strength, honor, integrity, and mercy."

Sobs finally started as the torn girl curled tighter around the cruel reminder of her brothers fate. " We... had a little fight... not long ago. Oddly enough i can't really understand what happened myself. One day we were all fighting to get back Japan. The next Lelouch is the emperor and we're fighting each other. I think we hurt him, brother, we must have hurt him so bad." Crying into her deceased brothers cold embrace Kallen forced herself to continue.

"You would have liked him I think. Well, as much as you could like any boy who took up residence in my heart. He was a real dreamer. A real leader as well... like you brother." a brief moment passed as she tried to quiet her shuddering grief. "He was... Exciting... Lively.. And he really knew how to capture anything from a crowd to a simple revolutionaries heart. I don't think he even realizes how quickly he does it. He inspired us so much, just by his being in the room we really did have the power to change the world." her words drifted off into the slight breeze as her head came to rest on the headstone.

Memories of her lost love rose throughout her mind. Soothing, happy memories of their times together. His teasing and drawing her into activities at school. Late nights planning how to drive crippling blows into the brittanians. His deep, commanding voice drowning her fears and anxieties as he sent her like a crimson scythe through their foes. The look in his eyes as he came back from the depths of dispair when she slapped him. The brief kiss they had shared, happy even though she had known he was holding himself aloof from her. Every part of her life he touched had blossomed like a rich, red rose.

"Could you... do me a favor Naoto?" she asked after a time. "Could you... find Lelouch? He should be on your side now, and he'll probably need help. I'm not ready to come over yet, so could you... maybe help him? Though... knowing him, he'll probably just end up helping you. He's just... just like that." as the words left tender lips the teen fighter broke again. Realising he was gone. That he would never appear before her again, except as a cursed footnote in some college textbook. Never speak his soft, tender words or vibrant commands to her ears again. Never caress her cheek, never capture her lips with soft, passionate kisses. He was never going to come back to Ashford with her. "Stupid Lulu... you shouldn't set up a date you won't make anyway." she managed to state before disintegrating to a tiny puddle of woe on her brothers remains.

/-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-/

Walking down the street the Black Knights most vocal member was disturbingly quiet. Especially for a night of such good fortune. The demon prince was gone, wiped off the earth by their illustrious leader in a visible clash of good vs evil. But... The dead man was his "Best buddy zero" while the survivor was some stranger who had 'saved the world'. Tamaki simply couldn't figure that out. There had to be more to it then that.

"why would you start a rebellion against a nation you are going to control?" the lanky knight pondered aloud. Sighing at tyrants and saviours with their clouded reasoning Tamaki turned to go make his monthly rounds. Slipping into the quiet graveyard he walked up and down the rows. Despite his actions with the Black Knights he did have a good memory. At least for people. Stopping at most of the graves he offered words and several new developments for each of his fallen comrades buried here. Telling them about the world, their families, newest trends, and offering reassurances to the deceased.

"You can rest easy friends." he stated. "I won't let you all be forgotten."

It took some time to finally work his way to the grave of his first real friend, Naoto Kozaki. And to his surprise he was not the only one there. Striding up he grimaced at the sight of his vanished friends little sister. Taking the leather jacket off his shoulder he gently threw it around the girls shoulders, over the POW rags she still wore, shaking her lightly afterwards. Brilliant blue eyes opened slowly, unfocused and confused.

"Tamaki?" she managed to rasp through a dry throat. "Why are you here?" face and hands pale from the slight chill in the night air.

"Should be asking you that, Kallen." he continued, glaring at the state of her clothing. "need to come here before even grabbing fresh clothes did you?" he playfully added, tenativly prodding her in the forehead with an outstretched finger. "Naoto would kick my ass for letting you out in this shape."

"Shut up..." cam a quiet, painful reply. " I don't want... I don't... I... I..." suddenly grabbing him with a powerful grip Kallen burst into tears.

Surprised to say the least Tamaki held the slim specter as sobs wracked her body. Wrapping the trembling girl up in his arms Tamaki gently rocked her back and forth.

"It'll be ok Kallen... We have a new world of opportunities now."

"He... isn't here... Just like Naoto. Why did they leave me... Why didn't they think about those of us left behind here?" she forced the words out. Suddenly holding up a trembling hand she guestured to the spaces in her fingers. "They would fit perfectly here... His hands. They fit perfect around mine." The sobbing red-heads momentary pause was shattered by a harsh intake of breath before the storm of greif began once again.

A rather stunned Tamaki started putting pieces together. How Kallen had been loyal to Zero, even after learning his identity. Perhaps 'because' she knew his identity. How withdrawn she had become when they tried to sell their savior for their home. How horrible it must have been to watch the man she had followed fanatically be run through by the reason they had met.

"I think they do know. Know how much we hurt, how painful the scars we will carry are, and will be forever." he began haltingly. " But, is the pain we feel kinda balanced by the happiness everyone else gets? Our suffering weighed against the worlds happiness, and our pain will fade slightly with time. I think they can see the scale it all balances on now." Scooping the lamenting child closer Tamaki continued his soft rocking motion.

"It hurts, Tamaki. Why does it hurt so much?" was the last comprehensive thing she managed to say before degenerating to broken, incoherent mumbles. Snuggling further into her comrades embrace the ace drifted away from herself, away from the pain. Peaceful oblivion encompassing her mind.

"It will be a new day tomorrow, Kallen. A new world, a new life for all of us. Tomorrow will be different, you'll see. We just have to believe in 'him' like we always have. My best buddy never let us down yet." chuckling slightly the former resistance fighter rose. Cradling his precious burden. "But first things first, lets get you home."

/-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-/

"Well... This is an improvement I suppose." the undead prince thought, staring through the gauze that obscured the brilliant lights overhead. Enjoying the new sensory input the Demon felt the sheet pull back. The ceiling was simple. Light panels scattered evenly across it, spaced with simple white panels. The walls a neutral grey. 'Sterile' was the word that came to mind. Suddenly realizing their were other figures in the room the princes lifeless gaze pinned the stunned faces littering about the space. A huge grin split the violet eyed boys face as he rose smoothly to sit on the edge of his platform. "A morgue huh" he thought. Hissing slightly as pain continued to flare along his body. Recognising several of the faces he quickly decided a course of action.

"So, you are my 'eternal jailors' huh? All TRAITORS to my cause!" the unholy emperor roared, voice instilling a new standard of fear among those gathered in his presence. "I reject your worthiness to shepard this world! Therefore I have returned." hopping to his feet was nothing but pure agony as even the air felt as if it were piercing his soft skin, probing sensitive nerves with needles.

Accomplices, well... Former accomplices made a small knot radiating terror and sickly awe as the zombie rose before them. Tohdo and Ohgi managed to maintain some of their senses, but the guards with them slammed into the far wall. Scrabbling to escape the miasmic air surrounding their unholy nightmare.

"Why. It looks like you've seen a ghost." the vision stated. Violet eyes morphing into an eerie pink with a red bird symbol shot through the center. A red symbol lighting up over his right hand, casting bloody shadows throughout the room as the previously brilliant lighting darkened. Bone white skin brightening as if leeching the light from the bulbs over their heads.

His words were the catalyst that ignited the minds of his former associates, his unhallowed appearance startling them to desperate acts of self-preservation. Tohdoh's sword flashed, pressing agains the visibly healing wound on the slim, stark chest of the demon. Ohgi's sidearm flew into his quivering, feeble hands after witnessing the unnatural resurrection of his former leader.

"How are you alive?" a forced question slipped from Tohdoh's lips. "We saw you stabbed, even recovered your damn corpse. We had you inspected to insure you were GONE!"

"Why should I leave this world?" the black prince countered. "why would I place the fruits of MY labor in the hands of you incompetent, treasonous DOGS!" venom dripped from every word, binding Tohdoh's heart in chains of fear, forcing Japans greatest military mind back against the wall in halting steps, followed every inch by his cruel, terrifying nightmare.

Ohgi suddenly snapped back to himself as he saw his companions back hit the wall. The extra distance from the vision inspiring his insanity only helped with his recovery. Shaking hands brought the pistol in line with his personal demon. Slack, limp fingers found desperate strength to squeeze the trigger. The jumping weapon loosing the chains binding his heart. The agonizing screams of his target firming his devotion to end this nightmare as he poured round after round into the twisting figure in front of him.

Impact of the slivers of lead threw the frail body of the prince forward, slamming his wrathful frame onto Tohdoh's sword. Transfixing the boy once again upon the sword of a 'friend'. Fiery fingers deep under his skin wiggled and danced. His bodies attempt to force out the foreign materials only prolonging his torture. A white bar of searing pain lanced through his chest. Every beat of his punctured heart only reaffirming the unbearable fact that he was going to die again. Howls slowly died off as Ohgi's clip ran empty and Tohdoh's slack fingers let the youth slip onto the floor. Cold tiles igniting a new wash of pain for the dying prince.

"I won't leave it to you bastards." he spoke haltingly, wheezing as air rushed from pierced lungs. Darkness brought along a wave of relief as his body fell cold, and his mind fled to oblivion.

Stunned silence roared in the gun-smoke filled room. Six pairs of eyes waiting for the specter to rise and terrorise again. Nothing was said, gazes never move, until the tiny clink of a pellet of lead forcing its way to the floor spooked them all to action.

"What do we do?" asked a private. Obviously terrified out of his mind

"We need to move him!" stated Ohgi. Locking eyes with Tohdoh he continued, swallowing his fears "Did the JLF have any safe-houses we can convert to a private holding cell? Preferably well hidden ones."

Tohdoh pondered for a moment before nodding. "You two, grab some sheets and bundle this up." waving his hands over the broken figure at his feet. "Leave the sword in him for now. That should keep him from doing anything unpleasant till we decide what to do with him." trembling the two privates rushed to do as they were bid, relived to be able to leave the room with the undead's toxic presence.

"Place him in the 'Zangetsu' for now." Tohdoh called as they carried their limp burden out of the morgue. "Who should we inform about this... unexpected development?" he continued, directing the question to his counterpart.

"Possibly Rakshata... Li Xingke should be notified. I would not involve more then that for now." Ohgi replied after pondering for a time.

"I agree. for now his existence is detrimental to the world. Therefore we, the Black Knights, will become his vigilant jailers." Tohdoh stated. "I will contact you once he is secured. and i will have the four Knights here assigned to guard duty with me to keep their... silence insured." turning at Ohgis nod Tohdoh left the Shinjuku morgue.

Sudden realization of what had just occurred wracked Ohgi's body. Trembling legs couldn't hold him upright, and nausea forced what little he had eaten that day onto the white, tiled floor. Crawling from the room Ohgi curled up in the corner of the lobby, pulling out his phone to call his better half.

/-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-/

Waking up was painful, swollen eyes and sore throat did not help improve it. She was tucked into bed, intresting because the last thing she remembered was crying in Tamaki's arms. Familiar scents and textures assailed her senses as she recognized her room. There was an unusual warmth against her back and across her waist however. Craning her neck she caught a glimpse of another figure spooning her and felt a soft breath on her shoulder. Struggling to escape failed as the arm clamped down on her with surprising strength. Yelping Kallen twisted sharply around to face the unwelcome intruder.

"Why are you here?" was all she could say as the figure to her back proved not to be her fellow Black Knight.

Amber eyes blinked before the head of the immortal moved forward, planting kiss on Kallen's parted lips. Snaking her head back and wrapping the scarlet faced warrior in a powerful grip CC rode out the squealing, indignant struggles of her bed-mate. After several minutes of fruitless struggle Kallen fixed the witch with a deadly stare.

"You can't be serious. Turning up in my house, in my bed. Are you so unfaithful to Lelouch that your already trying to work your way into my bed?" she spat out

"Oh our contract was never something so... oppressive." the witch replied soothingly. "And I'm sure you miss poor Lulu far more then I. Odd considering you never got to share a bed with him anyway." tightening her grip again CC rode out the renewed struggles of her scarlet captive

"SHUT UP!" Kallen's furious words and writhing failed to let the fighter escape from her tormentor. Until the witch finally yawned and relaxed her grip, allowing the teen to escape at speeds that would make bullet trains seem slow.

"Your the only one left in the world who would even consider helping me without chaining me in a cell." stretching seductively CC fixed Kallen with a predatory grin. "would it be 'that' bad to let me stay? Spend a little time with your fellow court lady? Your rival for Lulu's heart?"

Kallen felt a fire start in her belly. The infuriating woman in front of her was right. She had always known more then Kallen, had always had an upper hand in their personal struggle for dominance. She may have been his Ace, captain of his personal guard, even a friend. But CC had always been one step ahead.

"Why are you doing this? Isn't my being in pain enough? Or are you really so corrupted that you feel the need to twist the knife in my heart further?" and indeed the knife was twisting, but her anger let her ignore it for the time being. Pure, consuming anger, growing slowly but steadily into her impervious battle armor.

"But it's so fun to watch you squirm." the beauty on her bed replied, squirming a little herself. "isn't it fun to watch? Lulu was so good at making people squirm wasn't he?" she continued, moving in the most obviously suggestive manner.

Kallen felt her mind snap as her armor of rage dropped into place around her. Her iron guise of the unmatched Ace of the rebellion. Snapping her hand forward into the coy sluts hair she dragged the squawking imp from her room, down the hall, and tossed her down the stairs in the entrance hall. Stalking down after the rolling irritant with feline grace.

The little harlot flung her hair back and glanced at the approaching threat. "So rough with me. Your making me miss my last lover even more, girl." she tossed lightly as she rose and swayed her way towards the door.

"Oh, don't leave just yet CC." Kallen called as her foot hit the base of the stairs. "I want to... 'Play' with you." grin sliding into place she exploded. Sprinting towards her tormentor.

A right hook led the way as CC tried to rotate enough to block while Kallens left fist lifted her with a thundering blow to the ribs. A follow-up high kick connected with the white witch as she curled into a ball, launching her several more feet into the air and off to Kallens left. With a quick mid air roll CC got her feet to the ground before her. Still sliding several inches before settling into a fighting stance. Barely getting set before meeting the scarlet flashes assault.

Flying in with her most persistent opponents signature spin kick Kallen slammed her opponent backwards despite her sturdy guard. Sliding in close again she launched a flurry of jabs towards the immortals face. Desperate blocks and parries held the assault at bay until a quick foot slammed into her gut, quickly followed by hands slamming her head into Kallens rising knee. The green haired figure flipped completely over, spraying blood from cut lips and a crushed nose, before slamming into the floor.

"Not a very easy opponent is she. You do know how to pick em Lelouch. I'll have to get serious for your Q-1" the immortal chided herself as she dived deep into her code. Releasing a lock she had placed and shuddering as the foreign mind threatened to overwhelm and cage her. The internal war was quick and draining but she emerged victorious. She always did. With new knowledge at the front of her mind she released a second lock. Feeling lethargy steal across her as she supercharged her regeneration.

From Kallen's point of view the witch had shuddered several times after landing. Raising her guard the violent red-head waited. She was rewarded by her opponent raising an completely unmarred face, complete with an evil smirk.

"Its nice to play rough occasionally. Lulu was far to fragile for this 'foreplay'." her first barb launched the amber eyed vixen shot forward at a pace that actually frightened Kallen. a snap kick launched the crimson knight towards the ceiling. following the rising warrior up CC launched a barrage of punches and kicks at any unprotected flesh she could lay eyes on. The torrent of blows completely overwhelming any defense the teen could muster. CC broke off her rain of attacks to grab Kallen's shoulders. Using girls momentum to spin her own body in mid-air CC fired a rotating kick that sent the Black Knight crashing to the ground with crushing force.

Kallen felt the impact through her whole body. Air rushed out of her lungs, leaving them depleted and depriving her of her ability to resist as her opponent slammed down on top of her, expelling what little remained in her lungs. The days worth of exertion on top of meeting with her floor in the most stunning of manners left the red-head too weak to even move. The witch straddled her waist as Kallen cursed her weakness. Leaning down amber eyes mocked the downed fighters apparent fragility. Taking her time the witch slowly kissed Kallen.

"You know he died for you?" the taunting witch whispered as she released the battered ace. "maybe for several other reasons, but it's still true. He pushed you away to save you. To keep you free from his insidious plot and all the hatred he accumulated through it. He sacrificed himself for you." Kallens eyes widened with each statement and again as CC's right hand began to rise into an obvious finishing blow.

"He forgot promises made because of you, and he threw away to give you and his sister the world your brother dreamed of. HE THREW ME AWAY FOR YOU!" she howled, tears ripping down her cheeks to splatter the crippled girl.

"I'm going to die... Though I guess CC must have really liked him." Kallen whispered in her mind. Thinking of what awaited her here, in this lonely world, and what was waiting when the jealous bitch smashed her head in Kallen couldn't help but smile. "I'm coming Lelouch." she whispered.

"He's not there stupid girl." hissed words hooked Kallen, dragging her from her peaceful bubble of hope like a fish. "He's alive, somewhere in this world. You're corpse is going to insure he remembers our little 'deal'." the vixen continued. "And he will free me then. My dark prince will save me." fist reaching the top of her arc CC asked one last question. " any last words?"

"... Contract..." cam a labored reply.

"What!" amber eyes snapped open fully in suprise.

"Make... Contract... Me." The pinned soldier continued haltingly. "If he... lives... I need... power... I need to be his... his Q-1. And you... you are the only one... with the power... Please... let me help him." Pulling herself up level with the immortal Kallen whispered against her neck. "I will give you anything." Clinging to her like a lifeline the Ace shuddered quietly.

"To easy." giggle the witch in her head. "How simple girls in love are."

/-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-/

Beautiful amber liquid poured slowly into a glass tumbler set on an ornate side-table in the Black Knights CEO's office. Ohgi lifted the fine whiskey to his lips and let the foreign liqueur burn pleasantly into his belly. After the kind of day he just had he figured he deserved a little drink.

He had escaped certain death at the hands of his former leader (the same on he had Betrayed to his worst enemies for control of the Black Knights and japan). spent several hours securing the body of said leader after a new 'Zero' had killed him.

"Bastard cyborg was close to escaping anyway." he mumbled. Draining more fire water from his glass. He had seen the dead body return itself to life to terrorise them all yet again. Taken the bastards life for the second time that day himself (after being called a traitor by the prince of lies himself.). Found a possible link to immortality, and he had his most trustworthy comrade guarding the goldmine of information that was Lelouch vi brittania, 99th emperor of said nation.

Never a betting man, Ohgi was none the less pleased as cards kept turning in his favor. "an excellent start to a new life... with a few exceptions." he stated.

The phone ringing startled him slightly, stepping over to the machine Ohgi placed the receiver to his ear. "How can I help you?" he asked.

"We could... help each-other better I think." came a smooth reply. "I am an individual with... particular interests in this world and notably its newest defenders the Black Knights."

"Indeed we all are hopeful for this new world. could I ask you 'you' are?" Ohgi replied. "this number is rather... difficult to reach."

"Not for the right people and believe me... I am one of them." the voice continued. "I'm afraid my identity must remain in... mystery for the time being. At least until we have proven our loyalties to each other and demonstrated our vigilance in defense of our new dream world."

"I am rather suspicious of 'comrades' who will not reveal their identities. For somewhat obvious reasons." Ohgi countered, sliding down into his large leather office chair.

"Indeed. I will promise to reveal myself within the near future, but at a time of my choosing. I will however, deliver you a rather... heavy political backing. Enough to secure your position as CEO of the Black Knights for a rather long period of time as an offering of my good will. Of course, I would expect some... similar types of favors in return." the voice's oily quality almost made Ohgi turn down the offer.

"What sort of favors?" he asked, trying to divine the purpose behind the voices promises.

"Oh nothing big... perhaps responding too quickly or rather slowly to several outbreaks of fighting... perhaps prematurely or without the UFN approval... these of course would be handsomely rewarded in addition to my election support." the voice continued, taking on a soothing, reassuring quality. "and i would divert attention away from you, to protect your image so to speak. And i assure you, my ideals 'will' be proven righteous and morally intact. You have nothing to lose and an entire world to benefit from if we play our cards right."

Ohgi considered for a time. "so... in essence you wanted me to help guide the new world. I suppose new leadership is in order. Most of the previous leaders are dead or mistrusted for their failures leading up to the UFN's formation. I suppose a test period of this alliance would be most beneficial for all parties involved."

"I'm glad we have an understanding Ohgi. I will be in touch." as the line cut off Ohgi drained the last of his glass.

"A very, very good day." He said to the luxurious office. Already planning on how to use this new 'card'. Control of the new world police and jury was simply to good not to make a grab for.


II.


So there goes chapter two, I may end up editing these initial chapters as I'm not really satisfied with my characters dialog yet (also kinda been speed editing these so I'm sure I missed one or three grammar/spelling items). But the main story isn't going to change much, just the flowery parts covering it. Did a couple minor edits already, much easier to catch stuff when I'm not exhausted from work and half asleep.

Ohgi isn't really evil as much as trying to get hold of his power base. He's not confident in his own abilities being enough to keep him in place (quite polar opposite of Lelouch, who was more then confident in his ability to do ANYTHING). Think when he suggests trading Lelouch for Japan, I think its cause he just wasn't confident in the Black Knights (pointedly himself) being able to triumph if left on their own.

Anyway as I said before, I hope some more material will help loosen up some more reviews. (I know the first chapter was kinda short and hard to create an opinion for) Chapter 3 is mostly ready for posting and may go up in the next day or two. Till then.

~SimplyWaters~