Author's Note: Yup, not dead yet. Again, many apologies for the extreme lateness, but I have finally churned out a somewhat satisfactory chapter! Hoorah. Oh, and much thanks to Azzizarukas, turquoisewaters, ILoveCockatiels, and Alastor Xaphon for the reviews! I hope I won't disappoint you guys' expectations!

Did You Know?

The Geass Cult
This occult group has never before appeared in history, but word of it leaked following the assassination of the 99th Emperor. Apparently, the Geass Cult has had major influence over several of Britannia's Emperors; it is even rumored that the previous Charles zi Britannia has had his dealings with them. Exactly what this faction was in charge of remains a mystery to modern historians, but it has been concluded that this group no longer has a hand in Britannian politics. From what can be gathered, the Geass Cult was a combination of science, technology, religion and Irish mythology. Supposedly, it disappeared some time after the reappearance of Zero but before the Second Black Rebellion.

~Pg. 431

C.C. gave a small, satisfied sigh and leaned her head for a moment against her ward's bedroom door. Without looking at the page she had torn out, she crumpled it in her hand and stuffed it into one of the jacket's assortment of pockets.

"What bad taste in clothing…" she murmured, looking disdainfully at the broken zipper. C.C. didn't particularly like wearing Saris's clothing, but having no money of her own, she had to make do.

The stale air swimming in the small apartment nearly suffocated her as she cautiously made her way to the front door. Except for the smattering of watery light filtering from Saris's room, there was nothing else to illuminate C.C.'s walkway. Her sly, bullion eyes scanned the dim and rather dreary surroundings with what seemed to be an air of contempt.

Somewhere near, she heard a clock chime the hour: 9 P.M. The muffled, almost dreamy, silence that followed comforted C.C., but there was something that needed to be done, and with regret, she wrapped her fingers delicately around the front door's brass handle, about to step out into a world that, sadly, rejected her.

"C.C., where are you going at such an hour and without an escort?"

C.C. froze as an involuntary shiver ran down her spine. Him again…

"Shouldn't you be out, romancing girls…or guys, I suppose, if you prefer it that way," she retorted unfeelingly and turned her stony countenance to her left where she found him standing. At first glance, she could have easily mistaken him for another raven-haired, violet-eyed boy, but the past six years had taught her the distinction. As her impassive stare began to melt away into annoyance, she began to notice a throbbing pain in her chest. Who did he think he was?

"Come now, C.C., you must open up to me some time…" He gingerly placed his hand atop of hers on the doorknob, but she quickly snapped hers away.

"I don't have time for your games tonight…" she eyed him wearily and leaned slightly against the wooden door as though she was tired.

Rian gave her a crooked half-smile and ran his hand through his mass of black hair. "At least let me accompany you."

C.C.'s eyes flicked lazily to his handsome face. "Whatever."

Nearly everybody's heads swiveled around when the couple passed them, whether to glance at the peculiar girl or to ogle her attractive male counterpart. A few girls even took the initiative to slip their phone numbers into his pocket on a passing.

"748-9008…what do you think, C.C., should I call her, or would you be too jealous?"

"What an imagination you have," C.C. responded airily. The atmosphere was still saturated from the morning's heavy downpour, and the grass was lightly sprinkled with dew. It made the starless night seem even more beautiful, but both were preoccupied with other thoughts.

They were sitting on opposite ends of the same park bench, C.C. curled up next to an almost empty Pizza Hut box, and Rian lounging with his hands in his pockets. His curious gaze scrutinized C.C.'s figure, especially her forehead.

"Why are you with her?" His deep tenor reverberated endlessly in her ear.

"Who do you mean," she stated blandly.

"My sister, of course."

"Haven't I made myself clear?"

"No, not particularly."

"Business; a contract, or rather, a promise for the future."

He went silent for a moment, letting her words linger sluggishly in the empty space between them. Regrettably, though, the soundless evening was soon interrupted.

Hushed and yet deafening…
click.

Again, C.C. froze and the same shiver ran down her spine once more. Realization swept over her as suddenly, it became frightfully clear how alone they were.

Why it felt so foreign was a mystery to her, but perhaps it was the initial shock that seemed foreign, and not the ice cold sensation of the barrel against her exposed temple. Numbness set in, as it always did, and for a moment, her mind drew a blank. Then, "I'm immortal, you know."

He smirked at her composure, his eyes gleaming devilishly in the waning street light. "I know."

And with a twisted smile, he pressed the trigger.

End Notes: And that's the end of Chapter 3. I would really appreciate it if you would take a second or two to tell me what you think about my attempt at adding some kind of plot. Thanks for reading; until next chapter! =^.^=