Rai sat with his legs crisscrossed on the floor in front of the TV. In his left hand was a two-thirds full butterscotch pudding cup. In his right hand was a spoon. He had just turned on the news.

"Ah," he said. "So Cornelia has come into the game." He scooped a spoonful of pudding out of the cup and happily ate it.

"Military authorities report that they have surrounded the Saitama Ghetto; a known hiding place for terrorists. Viceroy Cornelia is also on the scene. Entry to that area has been restricted." The news reporter said.

"Wonderful." Rai muttered sarcastically, eating more pudding. "Now Lelouch is going to run into that with his guns half-cocked and believing that he will be the victor. Oh well, a good bitch-slap of reality will…do absolutely nothing to stop him." Rai was in a crummy mood. He got kicked out (not that he even wanted to be there in the first place.) of the Student Council meeting room by Shirley. Shirley wanted to talk to Kallen alone, and so she rudely booted Rai (who was tied to a rolling chair by Milly.) out into the hall, where he had to wait until some random passerby untied him. "She could've at least untied me before making me leave!" Rai complained. He then went back to watching the news.

"It appears that a full-scale assault will be launched in a few hours. Consequently, power will be shut off in the following areas-." before the news reporter could say anymore, Rai turned off the TV.

"Pudding gone." He told the TV for no apparent reason. He went to the garbage basket and threw the empty pudding cup away. He then rinsed off the spoon and put it in the dishwasher. "What do I want to do now?" Rai wondered aloud. He glanced outside. It was a beautifully sunny day, with few clouds in the sky. "I suppose I could go for a walk…but stay as far from Saitama Ghetto as humanly possible." Rai decided. He changed into a pair of regular blue jeans, black sneakers, a white t-shirt with a dark blue zip-up jacket. He then walked out of his dorm room, making sure to lock it before closing the door. He left the boy's dormitory and walked lazily towards the school's main gates.

"Hey, Rai-kun!" Rai turned around at the sound of someone calling him. He looked to see Suzaku jogging up to him. He was wearing blue slacks, brown sneakers, and a bole (a shade of brown.) colored t-shirt with a thin, unbuttoned, light purple jacket. Rai noticed that there was a band-aid on his right hand.

"Did the cat bite you again?" Rai chuckled. Suzaku's face redden in embarrassment.

"Uh, yeah…So where are you heading off to?" Suzaku asked. Rai shrugged neutrally.

"Anywhere I suppose, I have no homework, and there's no club meeting that I have to hide from, so I'm going to just go for a walk." Rai paused for a moment in thought. "Would you like to come with me?" Rai offered. Suzaku gave Rai a bright smile.

"Sure, I'm done with work and my homework, not to mention Shirley got upset with me and forced me out of the meeting room." Suzaku laughed nervously at the end of what he had said. As they walked out the gate, Rai rolled his eyes.

"Well at least she didn't leave you tied to a chair outside of meeting room. I took me nearly an hour-and lots of yelling-to get someone to hear me and untie me." Rai told him. Suzaku let out a gentle laugh at that. They stood on the corner of the block, waiting for the light to change.

"Can't really blame her though, Shirley's dealing with a kind of confusing situation right now." Suzaku explained. Rai sighed.

"She really ought to just tell poor Lelouch-sempai that she likes him and get it over with." Rai said. Suzaku shook his head as they crossed the street.

"It's not that simple. She's probably worried that he might reject her feelings for him." Suzaku told Rai.

"Yeah right." Rai murmured sarcastically under his breath. Suzaku didn't hear him. "I guess you're right. Things are never that simple, but it'd be nice if they were." Rai said loud enough this time for Suzaku to hear him. Suzaku nodded in agreement.

They continued walking together, talking about a variety of different things. They stopped at a small restaurant and sat at one of the outside tables. Luckily Rai had brought his wallet with him, so they decided to split the cost of the food. While they waited for their food to arrive, Suzaku told Rai about his life before Japan became Area 11. Rai already knew the gist of it, but was happy to hear the story from Suzaku himself. Suzaku told him about when he first met Lelouch, and how he didn't like him at first, but that they became the best of friends.

Their food was brought to their table. Suzaku had ordered a small bowl of curry and a root beer, while Rai had ordered a thing of yakitori and a strawberry milkshake.

"So, what was your life like before this? Did you always live here or did you use to live somewhere else?" Suzaku asked Rai. Rai had a moment of panic, but didn't let it show on his face. He didn't think that Suzaku would believe him if he told the truth. Rai wasn't sure if he could lie very well, but seeing as people tended to deceive Suzaku easily, it was worth a shot. Rai adopted a solemn expression.

"My grandparents are from here, but they moved to the homeland of Britannia when my mother was five. I'm half Japanese, as my father is a Britannian. My mother died when I was twelve and it was just me and my father for a while." Rai smiled bitterly for a moment. "But just two years after my mother's death, my father got remarried to a horrible woman. She would always make backhanded comments about me being half Japanese. And she would keep telling Father that she wanted her own children, not a step-son. My father is so deeply-and stupidly-in love with her that he decided to ship me off here. He said it was about time that I learned how to be on my own any way." Rai glared off into the distance.

This, of course, was a complete and utter fabrication. Probably the most ridiculous lie Rai had ever told. The only remotely truths were the bit about his grandparent moving away from Japan with his mother, and the fact that his parents weren't together anymore. They had separated when Rai was six. His mother was alive and well, probably off with her new boy toy in the Bahamas. His father did get remarried, but to a wonderful woman who Rai loved more than his biological mother. His step-mom's name was Moyra and in fact, Milly reminded him of her. Moyra was always teasing him, trying to dress him up like a girl, and generally terrorizing him. But Rai would always find a way to get back at her.

For instance, Moyra made Rai wear a pink, frilly dress on the day of Rai's father and Moyra's wedding. Rai was the best man for Pete's sake! Rai still didn't know how on Earth Moyra convinced his father to allow it. But Rai got back by bribing his little cousins into dropping the wedding cake on top of Moyra (and Rai's poor unsuspecting father.) from the first floor balcony. Moyra wasn't mad about it, but she did take a picture of Rai in the dress and emailed it to everyone at Rai's school. Their little war was an ongoing thing, but Rai actually found it to be a lot of fun.

Suzaku gave Rai an understanding look. Wow, Rai thought. He actually bought it…I really hope this doesn't bite me in the ass later… Rai nearly frowned at the thought, knowing he was never that lucky.

"Oh, I'm sorry…" Suzaku told him. Rai shot him a funny look.

"Why? It's not your fault. I'm actually glad that I'm here. I would have never met you if I wasn't sent here." Rai froze the moment the words came out of his mouth. It wasn't a lie, but Rai couldn't believe he actually said that to Suzaku. Rai could feel a blush cover his face as he quickly looked away from Suzaku. What Rai had said just sounded so…girly! He couldn't believe himself.

There was silence at the table. Rai was looking out into the street, blushing like a school girl on a date with her crush. The shear thought of that made Rai blush even more. Not to mention that the longer Suzaku stayed silent, but more panicked Rai felt. And then, just when Rai couldn't take it anymore:

"…Thanks." Suzaku said. Rai turned to him and saw that Suzaku had his normal, kind smile across his lips.

"For what?" asked Rai, barely able to make the words come out of his mouth.

"For telling me that. It's nice to know that there's somebody who is actually happy to know me." Suzaku told Rai, his eyes lowering to the table.

"But there are a lot of people who are happy to know you!" Rai blurted out; really wishing that the filter between his brain and his mouth would turn on at some point. Suzaku looked back at him, puzzled. "Lelouch-sempai, Nunnally-chan, all the kids on the student council, and I'm sure that your coworkers like you. Granted, you haven't been at Ashford for very long, and yeah you didn't exactly get a warm welcome. But once people get to know you, they figure out that you're actually a nice guy." Rai was really, really wishing that the filter would start working. Suzaku blink owlishly at Rai, obviously not expecting Rai's awkward pep-talk. Suzaku smiled at Rai again, and then glanced at the big digital clock that was on the side of one of the buildings.

"Oh, it's almost past curfew! We should head back." Suzaku said. Rai nodded in agreement. They paid for the food and then made their way back toward school. Once again there was silence, and it made Rai very nervous.

Now he probably thinks I'm a total weirdo! Okay, I might be little abnormal, but this just makes me a complete dweb! Suzaku's not going to talk to me ever again after this! Rai thought miserably, frowning. …Holy shit, I sound like a girl…I wonder if the effects of Scott's last experiment on me haven't quite worn off yet… Rai last time Scott had used Rai as a guinea pig, he made Rai drink some strange liquid and Rai turned into a girl for a whole week! Suddenly Rai heard Suzaku chuckling. Rai looked and saw Suzaku looking back at him and laughing softly.

"…What?" Rai asked, a now confused look crossed his face. For some strange reason, it only made Suzaku laugh even more.

"I'm sorry but…you've been making strange faces as we've been walking." Suzaku told him. Rai, who had only just recently gotten rid of his blush, felt it come back again immediately. He looked away from Suzaku and mumbled nonsensical words darkly for several seconds, which made Suzaku laugh yet again.

They were at the main gate now. Suzaku stopped Rai from entering the school grounds by grabbing Rai's upper arm lightly. "But…" Suzaku said, towering slightly over the younger boy. Rai went an even darker shade of red as Suzaku leaned closer. "It's actually kind of cute." Suzaku told him, their noses almost touching. Rai stared into Suzaku's green eyes and saw nothing that could hint that Suzaku might be messing with him. Before Rai could form words, let alone a complete sentence, Suzaku let go of Rai's arm and quickly disappeared into the school grounds. Rai blinked stupidly for a few moments, and then walked through the gate, which automatically slammed shut after him.

"Ack! Must be curfew." Rai glared at the gate. The gate did not respond. Rai sighed, turning away from the gate and heading towards the school's athletic building. He knew he wouldn't be able to go to sleep for a while thanks to Suzaku, so he decided to grab his swimming trunks from his locker and go for an early evening swim. He doubted anyone else would be in the pool room at this time.


Rai was starting to despise Murphy's Law.

Rai walked into the pool room wearing his swimming trunks and holding a white fluffy towel in his right hand.

And saw Lelouch lounging by the pool typing on a laptop, and C.C. swimming in the pool.

Rai froze in mid-step.

Lelouch looked up and stared at Rai in mildly horrified surprise.

C.C. simply waved.

"Uh, Hi." Rai greeted the two of them. "Bye!" He whirled around and reached for the door.

"Wait." Lelouch ordered. Rai froze again, and then turned around to see Lelouch walking toward him. Lelouch now had a neutral expression on his face. Rai backed up into the door, cursing himself for not looking before he just walked in. Lelouch came to a stop about two feet away from Rai. Lelouch watched Rai carefully. "What are you doing here?" Lelouch asked. Rai smiled in a way that said 'I am completely and totally terrified at this very moment.' and then nodded toward the pool.

"I couldn't sleep so I thought I might go for a swim. But if you guys are using the pool, then I'll just leave-!?" He was silenced by Lelouch (who was just like Suzaku-taller than Rai.) suddenly looming over Rai, one hand slamming right next to either side of Rai's head. Lelouch was giving him the scariest demonic glare that Rai had ever seen. Just then Rai remembered that Lelouch had Geass, so Rai clamped his eyes shut and cringed against the door, pretending to flinch from Lelouch's sudden movement. There was an unsettling silence. Rai could only hear his own shaky, shallow breaths, and Lelouch's calm, steady ones.

"…You know that I have Geass." Lelouch accused. Rai kept his eyes closed tight and tensed. "How do you know that, and why haven't you told anyone?" Lelouch asked. Rai hesitated before answering.

"…That's none of your business." Rai tried to say it coldly, but it sounded like more of a slight squeak. There was more silence. Rai could feel Lelouch's warm breath on his face. Then Lelouch chuckled.

"Is that so?" he asked in an amused tone, obviously knowing that Rai was scared. Rai suddenly felt angry that he was being intimidated by a fucking cartoon character. He might be a real person here, but it was Rai who had the advantage.

Rai stood up a little straighter, ignoring the feeling of Lelouch's arms now lightly resting on his shoulders.

"Yeah, that so. What I know, and how I know it is none of your concern, Lelouch Vi Britannia." Rai said. He heard Lelouch gasp slightly. "All you need to know is that I won't rat you out to anyone, and that I don't really give a damn about what you're planning. So," Rai opened his eyes and gave a surprised Lelouch the most determined glare Rai could muster. "So back off and leave me the hell alone." Rai didn't yell, but simply spoke the words in a calm voice. Yes, he was still scared out of his mind. Hello, he just told a very dangerous guy with a very dangerous power, to go piss off. Normally that never ends well.

Lelouch stared at Rai, surprised that the boy who at first glance seemed to a weak-willed individual, was actually the very opposite. Rai's sepia eyes practically glowed with stubbornness. The look disappeared, however, when he saw Lelouch's lips curl into an evil smirk. Rai realized that he was looking into Lelouch's eyes.

Shit! Rai swore silently. He couldn't move, stuck in place with his eyes open, by fear. Lelouch lowered one of his hands and held Rai chin with his forefinger and thumb. He studied Rai for a long time.

"…How about this? I won't use my Geass on you if," Lelouch leaned even closer to Rai and whispered in the boy's ear. "You join me and do as I command." When Lelouch moved back to see Rai's face, Rai gave him a very confused and very frightened look. The first thing that flashed in Rai's mind was that Lelouch might make if do something perverted if Rai agreed. But then Rai reminded himself that Lelouch wouldn't do that kind of thing…That was more Milly's style.

"Why would you want me to join you?" Rai asked suspiciously. Lelouch removed his hand from Rai's chin, and then ran his fingers through Rai's hair, petting him. This made Rai bristle a bit, not liking the idea of somebody treating him like a dog.

"Because, that way I can keep an eye on you-that is, an even closer one than I do now." That didn't reassure Rai one little bit. "And also, if you ever do try to tell anyone about me or my plans…" Lelouch's expression turned downright evil. "I can simply tip off the police that you are part of a terrorist cell. They'll more ready to believe an upstanding student than a mysterious boy who appear only half a year ago and is sprouting ridiculous things about a dead prince." Lelouch told Rai, removing his hand from Rai's hair and stepping away from Rai's person. "So? What will you do?" Lelouch asked, although he already knew the answer. Rai clenched his hands into fists and glared at Lelouch. Rai's teeth were bared as his lips formed a snarl.

"Not like I have much of a choice." Rai growled through gritted teeth. "If I refuse you'll either use Geass on me to force me to do whatever you want, or you'll just go to the authorities and tell them that you've found a strange kid in your school that's been acting suspicious. And went they look at my record-or lack thereof-they'll assume that I'm some kind of spy or terrorist." Rai said, hating the feeling of powerlessness that he had right now. "Fine, I'll join you." Rai told Lelouch. Lelouch said nothing at first, merely continued to smirk at Rai. He then suddenly turned around and stalked back to the pool chair he had been sitting on only minutes before.

"Go to bed Rai." Lelouch ordered him. Rai glared and was about to tell him to go jump off a bridge when he remembered that he just agreed to basically be Lelouch's damn dog.

"Hn, whatever you say." Rai grunted, sounding a lot like Sasuke from Naruto. He turned and left the room.

When they were alone, C.C. finally spoke up.

"I honestly thought you were going to make him call you 'Master' or something silly like that." C.C. told Lelouch. Lelouch went back to typing on his laptop.

"I'm not that full of myself." Lelouch sounded somewhat defensive about that.

"Ah, so you thought about it." C.C. pulled herself out of the pool, and grabbed the towel that Rai didn't even know he had dropped. Lelouch shot her an annoyed glance.

"I believe I'd have to use Geass on him in order to make him do anything of that sort." Lelouch said. "And I wouldn't waste Geass on something as ridiculous as that."

C.C. frowned at Lelouch as she toweled herself dry.

"I thought you promised not to use Geass on Rai." C.C. said. Lelouch didn't even bother looking up from his computer.

"I lied." He told her blandly.