From the Author: Hi! I never thought that this last part would be so nerve wracking! I was wondering how to tie the strings as best I could and spent weeks trying to make it as good as possible. Anyway, this really is the last part of the story, but I will probably come up with a continuation if the readers wish for it. Anyway, the voting results are out:

C.C. (9)

Kallen (8)

Shirley (1)

So I'll probably try for a Lelouch/C.C./Kallen Since the two are so closely tied.


Moving On

Snow fell from the heavens onto the land of the rising sun. In the Special Administrative Region of Japan, Kaname Ougi woke to the rays of the sun peeking through the curtains of his apartment window. Groaning softly, Ougi sat up, and a shape rustled next to him under the blankets of his bed. He smiled softly at his fiancé, who returned the gesture by rising up to giving him a peck on the cheek. Chigusa, or to be more precise, Viletta Nu slid away from her husband to be and proceeded into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Ougi pulled the curtains open and stared out at the Special Region, which was also starting to wake up and come alive with the usual hustle and bustle that had occurred over the past two months since the Region had been formed. The former Black Knight Second in Command glanced at his fiancé and remembered the nasty fight that almost ended their relationship a week after they had moved to the Special Region.

Viletta had managed to regain some of her memory one fine day when a stupid bunch of Japanese thieves had broken into his house when he was out buying groceries. Ougi had come home to be greeted by four half dead crooks and was pressed against a wall with a dagger millimeters from his right eye, staring into 'Chigusa's' eyes that were full to the brim with fury.

Ougi had spent the best part of his day in a dangerous arguement with the silver haired woman, but was fortunate enough to be able to convince her to give him a chance to let her have a normal life away from the military.

Looking back to that time, things really had changed. He had actually managed to patch up with the former Purist and make her more tolerant to his people. She still tended to be snappish towards rowdy Japanese, but she had warmed up to most other Japanese considerably.

A swift tap on the head with the ladle handle by a smirking Viletta brought Ougi out of his reverie, and he quickly sat down to eat his breakfast with the Britannian woman, switching on the television as he moved to the dining table in the small living room.

The news was really dull now. Mostly about minor stealing or robbery cases with the occasional murder. Sakuradite supply throughout the world was stable since the disruptions caused by the Black Rebellion were long gone. The Britannian Prime Minister was so impressed by the peace in Area 11 that the security place on it had been lessened slightly; the Glaston Knights, along with the task force that Schenizel had brought with him had left for the Motherland.

Strangely, as both Ougi and Viletta noted, Schenizel himself had not yet been reported to be returning to Britannia. His Avalon, which always he traveled in, was still present in Tokyo Settlement's massive Government Building. Further, it was noticed by the media that Princess Cornelia and her sister, the former princess,Euphemia. Were disappearing from the public eye often. Reporters were starting to speculate that they were privately meeting to discuss on issue about the Special Region.

To Viletta, she did not really care about what was happening in the rest of the world. She felt quite comfortable staying by Ougi's side and was not keen on returning to the army if she could help it. That was a surprise even to herself. A year ago, I would not even consider dropping out of the military... now I don't even want the life of a soldier. Love is so strange. She smiled and sipped on her tea.

Ougi finished off his meal and carried the dishes off to the sink, where Viletta would wash them later. For now, he would be going off to work at his friend, Tamaki's Bar, helping him clean up the place and getting the drink supplies.

Fate decided to play funny then.

Ougi was almost out of the house when a harried reporter came on the news with the big glaring words 'Breaking News' hanging at the bottom of the screen. He paused to look what the commotion was about as Viletta came to a stop by his side.

"We are coming off our usual reports to bring you some breaking news! Just five minutes ago, the Emperor, Charles di Britannia has landed in Area 11 with the entireImperial family. The apparent reason for this sudden movement is that as of sixteen hours ago, Second Princess Cornelia li Britannia and Prime Minister Schenizel el Britannia made the information known to the Royal Family that the Prince, Lelouch vi Britannia as well as his sister Nunnaly vi Britannia, who had been believed dead after the invasion of Area 11 are alive and well." The newscaster said in a rush.

All around Britannia, people listening to the news were stunned into silence. In Area 11, the silence was deafening, as the people waited to hear more from the newscaster.

"The Emperor and the Imperial Family are now scheduled to meet the Lost Prince and Princess at noon today in the Tokyo Settlement to welcome them back to the family. The question remains, how did the Prince and Princess survive, and why didn't they ever return to the Imperial Family until they were found? We will bring you more news updates as soon as possible. That brings us to the end of our Breaking News report." The news instantly shifted back to the usual dull reports.

Viletta switched the television off and tried to shoo her man out the door, "Come on Ougi. You need to get to Tamaki's bar."

Ougislowly made his way out, but spoke briefly with his wife before closing the door, "I don't know what you think, but I feel something big might happen now."

His fiancé gave no reply as she closed the door, but the look in her eyes told him all he needed to know. Vilettahad felt the same thing that he did. The same feeling he had when he had met Zero. The feel, of the winds of change...

Noon came very quickly. One moment, dawn had barely arrived on that winter day, the next, the skies and streets of Tokyo settlement were swarming with one of the largest shows of military might in the world. Monstrous battalions of Knightmares and combat aircraft patrolled the settlement, armed to the teeth with some of the most advanced weapons available. Most of the units were even sporting the crests of the Royal guards.

It was rather obvious to everyone by then why there was such a huge army present. The whole Imperial family was in the city after all. Their safety could not be compromised. Still, the sheer numbers of fighting units all concentrated into one place was awe inspiring as well as terrifying to most people.

Wearing a dress for once, Kallen Stadtfeld, or rather Kouzuki Kallen, thought it was just a stupid way to show off for the Britannians. The sheer force on display was nothing more than the Emperor's way of showing to the world how weak they supposedly were compared to the might of Britannia. Staring out at the thousands of war machines moving around the city through the windows of the royal quarters of the Government Building, Kallen clenched her fist in anger.

"Truly a waste of valuable resources isn't it?" A feminine voice came from behind Kallen.

The Ace of Elevens spun around to face C.C. and growled, "It's not just a waste! This whole incident of Lelouch returning to his family is just giving those arrogant Royals a chance to put the people of Japan down and intimidate the world."

"Well. Don't forget that I am also part of that Royalty that you are scolding as well, not to mention, Euphemia, Cornelia, brother Schenizel, and my dear sister Nunnaly. We are most certainly not arrogant like the rest of our family." Lelouch walked into the office with a smirk on his face.

Kallen scoffed. She would admit that most of the names Lelouch mentioned were indeed humble in the eyes of many, but Lelouch was definitely the most arrogant and stubborn ass of the entire family, apart from his father.

Lelouch caught the glare that Kallen had given him and started laughing, only to clutch at his side and wince as the almost healed wounds twinged. The witch was by his side in an instant, guiding the prince to a chair, all the while chiding him for being stupid enough to aggravate his wounds. As Kallen watched, she began to think back to when Lelouch had just been brought to the hospital after the assassination attempt.

Kallen had not been able to go on the copter, since she was involved with the Black Knights, meaning the others held as much trust in her as they could throw a Knightmare, zero. Only Nunnaly and Suzaku had been let aboard. The rescue machine could not take more additional weight.

Later, Nunnaly had told her that Lelouch had bled so much blood all over the floor of the emergency helicopter that she was sure he didn't even have an ounce of life fluid left in him. Suzaku was as white a corpse and shaking uncontrollably from the sight of so much blood being spilled by his friend.

Lelouch's own face was pretty much the same as Suzaku's, except his condition was because he was balanced on the knife edge of life and death. The sight of the pale unconscious face had even managed to startle Cornelia and Schenizelwhen they arrived at the Intensive Care Ward with their guards and the Student Council. Miraculously, Kallen had been allowed to follow because Euphemia said she would trust the Black Knight.

The doctors' reports did not help the situation in the least either. They told the stunned friends of Lelouch that one of the bullets from the shooter had ricocheted around in the boy's body, shredding a kidney into unrecognizable mush and damaging his spleen and liver. The shock had already caused Lelouch's heart to stop thrice.

If it wasn't because Cornelia had screamed at the paramedics to save him at all cost, even the surgeons would have given up on the patient when his heart stopped the second time. The doctors weren't even sure the prince would survive, and went far enough to question Cornelia and Schenizel on why they would go so far to save a 'commoner'.

If Kallen and Suzaku had not restrained the royally pissed Witch of Britannia, the good doctors would have joined Lelouch in Intensive Care, or the morgue.

Over the course of the next month, Lelouch had swum in and out of unconsciousness repeatedly as he made his slow road to recovery. Nunnaly had insisted on remaining by his side since the other students had to return to the Academy. Milly even had to make a cover story to tell the student population that Lelouch had gone to the Motherland with Nunnaly for a vacation.

Kallen on the other hand was blessed with the misfortune of getting thrown into a Britannian jail cell. The silver lining to that dark cloud was that she had been placed in a low security cell next to her mother, allowing her to have conversations with the lady who had cared for her all her young life.

The guards were strangely less aggressive to either of them too, something which Kallen suspected was Schenizel's doing. She had heard the Prince talking to the chief guard before hearing panicked agreements from the chief. What the two were talking about exactly however, Kallen could only guess.

It was also during that month that Cornelia made a record for holding out the longest in an argument with Schenizel. While Nunnaly had been caring for her half dead sibling, Schenizel was insisting that the lost Royal siblings be brought back into the public eye so that the Britannian Royal Guard could effectively protect them. Cornelia's counter was obvious, "If those supposed Royal Guards could protect them, why didn't they prevent terrorists from entering Pendragon and assassinating Marianne?"

Schenizel had pointed out that Cornelia had been in charge of the same Royal Guards at that time, but said Princess countered by saying she only was responsible or the inner defenses. The rest of the palace guards were commanded by Nobles who were jealous of Marianne and could have been responsible in part for the assassination. Cornelia pressed on by saying many within the Royal Family too, had disliked the mother of Lelouch and Nunnaly greatly.

"Returning Lelouch and Nunnaly to our family is as bad as leaving them to fend off assassins by themselves. Maybe even worse." Cornelia had shouted at Schenizel before rushing off to the hospital to check on her other brother.

Schenizel took the better part of the next month trying to find a way to let Cornelia at least feel safe about letting the Lost Prince and Princess return to their family and still keep them safe.

The answer surprisingly came from Lelouch himself, when he finally gained enough strength to stay awake at least for a few hours.

Cornelia and Schenizel had both visited him and confided with him the problem that they were facing. Lelouch was not at his most efficient, but he was still sharp enough to put together a plan that satisfied Cornelia's concerns and Schenizel's wishes.

They had also obtained Lelouch's 'reasons' for joining the Black Knights. Cornelia had been keen on punishing the young man for killing so many of her subordinates, but relented easily for once to her elder brother's reasonings that Lelouch's actions were indeed for a greater good and for his sister. So Lelouch did not to get punished, much to the young fellow's secret relief.

By the end of the visit, Cornelia and Schenizel were impressed by the Lost Prince's planning skills and were frankly, quite grateful to have him back on their side. They shuddered at the thought of Lelouch still being their enemy. Britannia would likely have been razed to the ground. Not immediately, but most definitely in a few years. Even Schenizel doubted if he himself would have been able to save his country.

Part of the plan had included Kallen, so she had been released from her prison and was directed to stay by Lelouch's side.

The former Zero had then informed Kallen that she had two choices; She would either be discreetly moved to the Special Region, or she could join him as his Knight in another ploy to give the Japanese more freedom. Kallen had been very skeptical and suspicious at first, but after some convincing and plan elaborating by Lelouch, she had jumped at the chance of getting more freedom for her people.

Admittedly, Kallen supposed it was partly because she really liked Lelouch that she had agreed to his scheme, not that she would ever tell the prince that she had feelings for him.

So here she was now, as a girl of Noble birth, preparing to rise up amongst the ranks of those she had sworn never to be. Kallen Stadtfeld was going to become a Knight today if all went Lelouch's way.

"Lelouch? It's time. Father and the rest of the family is waiting in the Grand Hall." Came Euphemia's soft voice as she entered the room.

"Very well. Thanks Euphie." Lelouch locked his face into an emotionless mask and he stood.

C.C. handed Lelouch his royal cloak which he accepted gracefully. Then, motioning for Kallen to follow, he left the room with Euphie, but not before warning C.C. silently, "Do not leave this room C.C.. Charles is here and he will surely catch you if he knew you were here."

To his surprise, C.C. had simply given her word to him, and locked the door once he had stepped out into the corridor. Lelouch and his entourage made their way towards the Grand Hall slowly, passing by many servants who bowed feverishly at them.

Just outside the main doors that led where the rest of the Imperial Family were, Nunnaly joined them, being pushed along by Suzaku. Kallen took hold of Nunnaly's wheelchair then, to allow Suzaku to take Euphie into the Grand Hall by some other door. This left the Lelouch, Nunnaly and Kallen alone in the vast hall way with the chief announcer.

Lelouch smiled nicely at his younger sister, "Are you feeling fine Nunnaly?"

"A bit nervous ni-sama, but I am more concerned about you. Does your wound hurt?" Nunnaly reached out to touch her brother's side.

"It's fine Nunnaly. You just worry about yourself for now, okay?" Lelouch chuckled lightly, careful to keep the pain out of his expression.

Nunnaly hesitated for a moment, but nodded all the same. Looking at the chief announcer, he nodded, and turned to face the double doors with a completely regal air. Man! How does he do that! Kallen thought, as she hastily straightened and plastered a neutral expression on her face.

"Announcing the arrival of Prince Lelouch vi Britannia and Princess Nunnaly vi Britannia of the Imperial family and Lady Kallen Stadtfeld of the Stadtfeld House.

Soundlessly, the great doors opened up into the Grand Hall, and Kallen almost gasped.

The Grand Hall was the epitome of opulence and extravagance. Three rows of massive diamond chandeliers hung from the high ceilings. The flooring was made of some of the finest marble Kallen had ever laid eyes on, and the carpet leading to the end of the hall seemed to have been created out of superb furs. But even with the splendor of the Great Hall, Kallen felt a mounting pressure in her heart.

In the cavernous room, stood the members of the most powerful family in the world. The air was cold and dry like the faces of the numerous Royal members. Kallen briefly thought whether she should have worn more clothes that would cover her more and keep her warm, even if it would inhibit her movement that would be detrimental if she got into a fight. Why am I even thinking that I'll get into a fight Kallen kicked those thoughts out of her head.

But the most chilling person to Kallen was definitely the Emperor himself.

Seated on a throne at the hall's end, flanked by his many wives, Charles di Britannia was huge. With his cold calculating eyes that screamed of a predator searching tirelessly for prey to consume, he was terrifying to Kallen rather than annoying when she had seen his speeches on television.

A touch on her hand from Nunnaly knocked Kallen out of her daze. Realizing what she had to do, Kallen gathered her composure and pushed Nunnaly forward with Lelouch, step by step towards the imposing figure that was the Lost Siblings' father.

It seemed like an eternity to Kallen as she walked towards the throne, but they reached the Emperor in just a minute. Kallen knew what would happen next; the lowest ranking would always have to pay their respects first. Kallen really, really, really hated curtsying or bowing or genuflecting before anyone other than Zero, but she knew that if she didn't, she'd be getting a one way ticket to Hell.

So Kallen curtsied before the Emperor, and Lelouch soon followed in a genuflect, careful only to give just enough respect to his father, no more. Nunnaly was stuck in a wheelchair, so she could not kneel, but she did give a low bow nonetheless.

"Rise Lelouch vi Britannia. Nunnaly vi Britannia. It gives me great pleasure in seeing both of you alive and well." Charles spoke in gravelly tones that told Kallen that the man did not mean a single word he said.

She glanced at Lelouch. If Lelouch had been offended by the coldness of his father, he never showed it, and neither did Nunnaly. Instead, Lelouch gracefully stood to his full height and replied, "And it is good to be able to return to the family."

Kallen was impressed by how Lelouch was able to keep cool in such a situation. Her respect for him went up a couple of notches.

"Rise Kallen Stadtfeld of the Stadtfeld House." the Emperor commanded. Kallen was all too happy to obey that order. The stupid man had kept her on the hard floor for so long!

"Still, I am curious of why you did not immediately return to our family once the invasion of this Area ended." Came the question that Lelouch had expected. Charles was never a man to mince words or beat round bushes.

The Black Prince gave nothing away in his expression as he answered smoothly, "We were being tracked by a group of terrorists who were trying to kill us. Any attempt to return would have quickly been foiled."

Charles smiled coldly, "But then how were you able to stay with the Ashford House for seven years undetected."

"Surely you should have read the report that Princess Cornelia has submitted. The Ashford House, as well as myself and my sister were being monitored by the terrorists. The attempt on Cornelia's life as well as Euphemia's, Nunnaly's and my own gives more than enough proof of that when Cornelia and Euphemia tried to make contact with me. It was through sheer fortune that I survived my wounds and that my siblings were unharmed." Lelouch frowned slightly, as if challenging his father.

Kallen really wanted to find the restroom. The Emperor looked like he was absolutely livid, but then again, he always did seem to look angry. Charles got off his throne.

The tension in the room mounted by ten times as the man walked up to Lelouch, who bravely stood his ground. Charles raised his hand. Cornelia looked ready to jump at her father to protect her sibling. The reporters present were whispering, "Would his Majesty strike his newly returned son?"

And Charles placed the hand onto Lelouch's shoulder and smiled?

The tension vanished to be replaced by the discreet aura of confusion.

"I have read Cornelia's report, Lelouch vi Britannia, and I take your word for it." Kallen caught the Emperor mouthing two more words to Lelouch, "This time."

"Putting that issue aside, I will now install you as the vice-governor of Area 11 seeing as you have seven years worth of experience of life here and that Euphemia has been bethrothed to the future head of the Special Region. I expect you to be of use to your elder sister." Charles said.

Lelouch took things in stride, "I humbly accept the position father. But I wish to know what my sister shall be doing, for if there are no duties for her, I wish for her to finish her studies in Ashford Academy."

Whispers rustled through the crowd. Lelouch had already challenged the Emperor by showing him barely enough respect and talking back to his father. He was pushing his luck very far.

Charles waved his other hand dismissively, "Nunnaly would not be able to carry out the duties that her siblings can do. She may continue her education."

More whispers. Lelouch had just made the Emperor agree with him twice! Kallen on the other hand clenched her fist in anger. By making such a proclamation before such a large group of Nobles and the press, Charles was effectively putting his own daughter down. Nunnaly had shrunk visibly at the harsh words of her father.

Lelouch was obviously insulted, but he pressed on with a minute smirk on his face, "Then I shall make one final request father."

Charles di Britannia remained silent.

Taking his silence for assent, Lelouch forged on, "I wish to make Miss Kallen Stadtfeld my Knight."

The crowd erupted in a blizzard of protests.

"Insanity" Cried a consort.

"Preposterous!" Shouted Carline il Britannia

"A student becoming a Knight? This is absolute nonsense!" Cried the Knight of Four, Dorothea Ernst.

"Silence!" Charles growled.

It was as if someone had suddenly hit the mute button. The noise had been there one moment, and was cut off the next. Through the commotion, Kallen had watched on quietly, surprised at the childishness of some members of the Royal family.

Then, Kallen felt a shadow fall over her and she looked up, right into the eyes of the Britannian Emperor. Up close, his aura was smothering the life out of her.

Maintaining eye contact with Kallen, Charles questioned his son, "Why would you choose this meek and weak looking girl, who looks as if she has never seen the battlefield as your Knight."

Lelouch gave no answer. Kallen had been pissed off on hearing the Emperor's assessment of her, MEEK and WEAK? I'll show him! "Your Majesty! Please allow me to prove my worth in battle against one of your knights right here and now then." She ground out through gritted teeth impulsively. Kallen took a split second after the words burst forth to realize what she did, Shit! I just asked for a fight!

No one spoke up, fearing to break their Majesty's order for 'silence', but in most people's heads, they thought Surely this girl is mad! Fighting a Rounds? She must have a death wish! or The Emperor will surely execute the girl for showing such insolence!

Odysseus u Britannia however had seen Cornelia's smirk and Schenizel's soft smile at the young Noble's antics and knew the girl was definitely more than what most people saw. Father probably knows this, but wants to see just how strong the girl is, Odysseus grimaced. There was going to be more fighting, which he greatly detested.

Charles remained silent for a moment, as if considering Kallen's words, before coming to a decision. His Majesty gave no warning to Kallen to prepare herself, and merely called out, "Knight of Ten!"

Kallen spun quickly, drawing the hidden dagger in her purse and throwing herself to the right as Luciano Bradley came barreling in from the midst of the crowd. Civilians hurriedly backed up against the walls of the Grand Hall to give the dueling pair more space and to avoid getting caught between them.

The other Knights of Rounds stepped forward, forming a ring around Charles to protect him. Cornelia and Suzaku had rushed up to provide some help to Lelouch and his disabled sister. All the while, the many reporters were recording and broadcasting the event to the whole of Britannia.

Luciano tossed a dagger casually at his opponent, sneering. The girl was a feisty one indeed, and her agility that allowed her to dodge past his attack was making him excited. Perhaps he should just beat the girl and force her to submit to him? She would be a great addition to his own guard unit.

Kallen had other ideas. The Vampire looked like he was less then what everyone made him out to be. To the Ace of Elevens, Luciano's dagger throwing was boring and slow, and his daggers were way too big anyway. Hell! Those things might as well be qualified as swor- WHOAH! Kallen backpedaled hurriedly to avoid an diagonal slash at her from the blood thirsty Knight.

Too slow. The dress was an impeding apparel to wear when fighting.

The knife tip bit glanced past her stomach lightly, ripping up her shirt slightly and drawing blood. Kallen swore and continued to back away. Damn! I need a better weapon than my small dagger... hmm... this could work... I hope.

"This is over!" Roared Luciano lunging at the Crimson Lotus, a dagger in both hands.

I don't think so! Kallen threw her weapon right at the Vampire cutting his left cheek as the dagger passed. The Knight of Ten snarled, "Now you just want to lose faster idiot!"

"Is that so?" Kallen shot back. This had better work!

Luciano swung the dagger in his left downwards, keeping his right one free to attack if Kallen leapt away. Only, Kallen did not move the way Luciano wanted her to. Kallen spun around the weapon and shouldered the Knight full in the chest. Luciano coughed out blood, How-

Kallen was not done. Grabbing the Knight's right hand, she twisted his wrist viciously. The resounding crack made most of the Nobles flinch. The Knight of Ten's dagger slipped through nerveless fingers.

"YOU MONKEY!" Luciano screamed, pulling back in an attempt to stab at Kallen with his only usable hand.

Kallen smirked. Swiping the dagger out of the air as it fell to the ground, the Black Knight ran the blade edge past the Vampire's gut, cutting into the flesh deeply. The Knight of Ten made one last ditch attempt and tried to stab his opponent through the heart.

With a yell, Kallen leaned away from Luciano and his dagger before ramming her own deep into the Knight's left shoulder. Luciano fell to the floor, clutching his wounds and cursing, "Damn you monkey! What have you done to me!"

"Just shut up will you!" Kallen growled irritably and punched him in the face.

The Knight of Ten was out cold.

The congregation was shocked. Reporters stood speechless, unable to think of what to say. A tiny girl that looked like a doll in a dress had just beaten the tenth strongest soldier of the Empire. Prince Lelouch had found a powerful warrior.

Lelouch started to clap for Kallenalone at first, his claps resounding eerily throughout the Grand Hall. No one else followed, until the Knight of One joined in, and then, the rest started to clap one by one. Soon, the hall was filled with thunderous applause. His Majesty however, remained still.

Kallen cast a smirk at the Knight of Four. "Have any complaints?", She drawled.

Dorothea stormed right up to the Black Knight Ace, and for the briefest second, everyone thought the temperamental woman was going to start a fight until she gave Kallen a bear hug. " You have impressive fighting skills Kallen Stadtfeld. Though your potential is not completely tapped as I can see. However, it would be an honor for the Britannian Army to have one such as you protecting our Royalty."

"Couldn't have put it better myself! You go girl!" Shouted the Knight of Three, Gino Weinberg, who winced when the Bismark Waldstein chastised him quietly.

"Silence" Called out Charles di Britannia for the second time in a day.

"I suppose this has cleared any doubts that Kallen is not a suitable candidate as my Knight?" Lelouch inquired blandly, although he was positively laughing at the humiliation of Luciano. The Knight in question was being hauled off unceremoniously to the infirmary by the Royal Guards.

His Majesty merely turned to walk out of the Grand Hall, and his consorts rushed to follow him, while his Knights cleared a path through the throng of reporters. Kallen was beyond mad already, HEY! I just went through all that crap with the fight and this ass of Lelouch's father isn't going to say anything?

Lelouch seethed inwards. After all the trouble he went through to try and get Kallen in with him to help in the plan to topple his father, this was the result? Silence?

"I expect Kallen Stadtfeld to be Knighted by tomorrow Lelouch. If you do not, she will be placed in my Knights of Rounds as the Knight of Seven." Charles' voice rumbled to the ears of all close by.

An instant later, the most powerful man in the world had left, and the rest of the Royal family hastily began to follow. They did have other duties to attend to elsewhere. On the way out, Schenizel and Cornelia congratulated a totally stupefied Kallen. Suzaku and Euphie had given their blessings before leaving for Ashford, taking an ecstatic Nunnaly with them, who had given Kallen a big smile. It would do them no good to be slacking off from study.

When all the familiar faces had left, then, Lelouch and Kallen had realized what they had been left with. The horror known as the rabid reporter corps. It had taken all of Lelouch's strength, which amounted to little, to restrain his Knight to be from looking for her dagger to slaughter the irritating journalists.

Off in Tamaki's Bar, the former High Command of the Black Knight watched on in horror and awe as they witnessed their best friend earn the title of Knight. They had known that Zero had given Kallen a contact, someone that the Eleven Ace supposedly knew, to start life over, but this was totally unimaginable.

Ougi could not understand what was going on. Kallen told him that her contact was a student by the name of Lelouch Lamperouge two months ago. Could it be that that same student really was theLelouch vi Britannia that stood beside his friend?

Kallen had told him she was doing something big soon, but this was insane! Why was Kallen going to the other side? Had the Prince brainwashed her, or was it some elaborate plot by Zero to use the help of a Britannian Royal to place Black Knights into the heart of the Britannian Army ranks? Everything was so confusing.

"I think we need to get back in contact with Zero." Minami whispered quietly to the Black Knight Vice Commander.

Ougi would have been glad to take the advice from his friend, but Zero had literally vanished from the face of the Earth. The only evidence of his existence remaining being the mask he left to the Britannians. The closest people to the elusive man were C.C. and Kallen, and only C.C. knew where and who Zero was.

The problem then, was that C.C. had put up a disappearing act too.

"It's impossible to contact Zero and so is his closest companion, C.C.. We all know that.", Ougi sighed, "The only chance of finding Zero seems to be Kallen and her friend."

"Whoa! You can't be talking about that skinny Prince?" Tamaki said none too softly, causing his two comrades to jump.

Minami stared at Ougi, who sighed yet again, "We have no choice. They're the only and closest clues to Zero."

"But what if Kallen has turned against us." Minami muttered darkly.

Ougi frowned at Minami, "You should know better. Kallen is the most faithful to Zero in the Black Knights. Questioning her loyalty is like not believing that we could have gotten to where we are now."

But as Minami quickly apologized for his lack of trust, Ougi was hesitant too. Ougi already was witness to the sheer strategic prowess of Zero and his charisma that had bent many a strong will under his sway. C.C. too, was skilled at lying and gave off the aura like she was something otherworldly, like her master. Who was to say that Lelouch vi Britannia, a possibly close associate of Zero was not the same?

The Lost Prince seemed to exude the same aura as Zero, only he was Britannian, and could have been working for Britannia. Helping Zero to pacify the Japanese before starting his own plots, using Kallen as his pawn. Was Kallen really still loyal to the Japanese? Or was her loyalty now lying with a Britannian who seemed to be as powerful as Zero.

No. It was impossible. Completely unimaginable and unlikely. Kallen had to be helping Zero with another of his escapades, using the help of Lelouch vi Britannia. That seemed like the most logical reason.

Yep... anyway, Kallen had already told me that her contact hated Britannia's system... someone like Lelouch, who has suffered greatly under the same system would be no ally of his people... This must be a plan by Zero which does not involve the Black Knights. If that's the case... we should not interfere lest we screw up Zero's plans.Ougi settled his thoughts and made his decision.

"We'll just sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labor." Ougi sighed to his two friends, "I'll call Kallen to keep updated on the situation, but other than that, the Black Knights should not poke around too much."

Ougi sent a slight glare to his fellows to tell them, the case was closed. Ougi was going to stick to his decision.

Later that day. The remaining members of the Black Knights had been informed of their Second in Command's choice of action.

Most members agreed, but some, like the Four Swords had chosen to do a little snooping, though they would never find anything that would suggest that Kallen was betraying the Japanese, so they would relent after a month.

As night fell, the Vice Governor's Wing continued to buzz with activity. The staff were frantically making preparations for the Knighting Ceremony of Kallen Stadtfeld.

Just a little ways away from the hustle and bustle, a group of people were gathered in the Vice Governor's 'small', private chambers. The new vice-governor had shouted vociferously at his Knight to be for her recklessness, fully forgetting that the same girl could put him back in 'his' ICU at the hospital. Fortunately C.C. had stepped in with pizza to cool everyone's temper, though she had thwacked the Black Prince on the head and told him off for being so 'ungentlemanly' as to insult a lady. Wary of getting into a fight against two ladies, Lelouch had put the matter aside in a flash, opting instead to take dinner quietly with the two women.

So Lelouch was now in a deep discussion with C.C. and Kallen about the Knighting ceremony, or rather, the ladies were talking animatedly while Lelouch was in dreamland.

While Lelouch had indeed revealed a plan to Schenizel and Cornelia to eliminate the corrupt members of the Royal Family and to destroy the Geass Directorate, he also planned to kill his father and unify the whole world under the banner of peace. If things continued the way he wanted things to, he would surely achieve his goal.

Lelouch let out a small smirk at the thought of shooting his father, telling the other room occupants that their 'leader' was not listening. The two ladies slapped the Black Prince in the face lightly, bringing him back to earth.

"What!" Lelouch groused.

C.C. smirked, unable to resist a chance to tease her partner, "I hope you were paying attention rather than daydreaming about the day you marry Kallen?"

Kallen flushed crimson, "HEY! I am so not interested in Lulu-" Kallen clasped a hand to her own mouth.

"Lulu?" C.C. purred, "That is a bit too obvious that you feel for him isn't it?"

"Shut up! You like him too don't you?" Kallen shot back, causing C.C. to actually blush faintly, much to Lelouch's surprise and chagrin.

Lelouch stared at the two ladies who had conveniently forgotten about him as they bickered.

Since when were my closest partners fan girls!? Lelouch coughed loudly.

Both women stopped their argument and looked at Lelouch, puzzled.

"You know, you should not talk about such things so openly, especially when the you do so right in front of the person in question?" Lelouch frowned in embarrassment and annoyance.

"You prick!" Kallen shouted, aiming to punch Lelouch her face flushed crimson with embarrassment.

"You!" C.C. started to raise her foot in preparation to drop kick the poor Prince.

Too bad Nunnaly, Suzaku and Euphemia had overheard the conversation and barged into the room, startling the occupants just as C.C. somehow slipped on a piece of leftover pizza crumbs and fell into Kallen, pitching her forward into Lelouch.

To say the position was compromising was not a slight understatement, it was a hell of an understatement.

"Ooo!" Euphie cried.

"Lelouch?" gasped Suzaku

"What's happening?" Nunnaly asked innocently.

Before Lelouch could reply, Euphie was wheeling Nunnally out of the room, "Lelouch is having some private time with C.C. and Kallen, we need to leave them alone!"

Nunnaly, who had instantly understood the meaning of the words, started mumbling about having two sisters in law with lots of cute nieces and nephews.

Suzaku had blushed and yelped, "Sorry for the interruption!" Before rushing out with his fiancé and Nunnaly, leaving the three alone once again.

"Get off!" Lelouch snarled.

Kallen and C.C. untangled themselves hurriedly and backed away from the furious Prince. Lelouch stood up to his full height, looking absolutely embarrassed. The sight of a heavily blushing Lelouch was too much. The ladies burst into peals of laughter.

Lelouch tried to reprimand them, but found he did not have the heart to do so. Instead, he felt a sense of ecstasy rising in him, and soon, he was laughing with the duo. Perhaps he did like them too.

Maybe I'll be able to find a more normal life with them... a life that I have dreamed of since discarding my mask of Zero.Lelouch made a genuine smile for once and spoke, "Come on you two, we need to explain to Nunnaly or we'll be in trouble. No harm in being young and carefree for a bit I suppose.

Surprising both girls, Lelouch encircled his arms around their waists with a teasing smirk and led them after the retreating couple and sister.

Outside the Government Building, snow fell from the heavens, onto the land of the rising Sun.

FIN


From the Author: Ok! The story is done. A lot more loose strings than I had expected though... Anyway please Review and tell me if a continuation is needed and/or wanted.

P.S. Flames and Criticisms are always accepted. Just do not include cussing.