With a bored sigh, the violet-eyed boy gazed out of the window of the building, packing up the last of his groceries. Even though he was in an apartment, it still wasn't easy to get everything he needed; namely the fact his apartment was a thirty-minute walk away from the grocery store. He picked up the two (not) heavy bags and headed into the cool night-shadowed outdoors.
Lying in a tree in the park, Ikuto laid silently, nothing interesting happening. "Ikuto, sleeping outside again-nya?" Yoru asked.

"Nothing's wrong with it, Yoru," Ikuto responded.
Hearing the almost purring voice, Lelouch turned his gaze upward, careful to not make it obvious he was looking. He blinked; it was the boy from last time... and he had a chara as well. Had Amu told him?
Ikuto heard footsteps, and looked below him. It was that boy, Lelouch was his name. "Hey, you," Ikuto said, "What's up?" Ikuto gracefully landed on the ground, right next to Lelouch.
Narrowing his eyes slightly, he examined the taller boy and responded dryly, "You were a few seconds ago, I see." To keep a polite face, he asked, "I never asked your name..."
"Ikuto," he casually said, "And I believe you were Lelouch."
"Yes," Lelouch responded, looking slightly amused. "You have a chara as well?" His gaze turned to the floating feline, and his Geass blinked involuntarily.
"Yeah," he said, "What about it? You must have a chara if you can see him."
"Er, no," Lelouch smiled fondly. "I already fulfilled my desires."
"I see," Ikuto said, "So, what are you doing out so late?"
He held up the arm holding his groceries, "Shopping for stuff. And seeing as you like being free as a cat, you're stargazing... or something."
"Just camping out," Ikuto said, "I don't come just to look at some stars."
Lelouch nodded. "So you and Amu Hinamori, are you friends? I asked her, but she seemed awfully embarrassed."
Ikuto lifted his head to Lelouch. "I guess you could call us friends," Ikuto grinned, a large smirk growing on his features, "I guess she's too embarrassed to admit it."
"I see why," Lelouch muttered under his breath; the boy was awfully cocky.
"Hmm, so," Ikuto said, "Don't you have someone you are friends with?"
"Me, myself, and I," Lelouch shrugged. "I'm new here; just transferred."
"Nice," Ikuto said, "Loosen up, you might make an impression."
His eyebrow rose. "Thanks for the advice," Lelouch commented airily. "I'll remember that."
"Well, see ya," Ikuto said, walking away.

"I don't know why you gave him that advice," Yoru said, glancing at Lelouch, "He isn't too bright, I'd say."
Hearing the comment, one could almost see a laser-like red split through the darkness, and a piercing glare that would make the strongest men shiver in fear aimed right at the chara before returning to the benign, neutral violet gaze.
Ikuto turned immediately back to Lelouch, spotting the red beam. "Hey, what's that?" Ikuto said, "You have laser vision, or something stupid like that?"
Lelouch blinked in surprise, and smiled delicately; a masked look he'd mastered back in the Britannian mainland, "What are you talking about?" He questioned.
"You must have had a weird reflection or something." He pointed at the lamp above him, "I'm wearing contacts, so it might have had an odd reaction."
"Heh," Ikuto said, a small smirk on his face, "Do you really think you can fool me that easily?"
His eyebrow rose, "You have dreams that manifest into small pixie-like sentient. Is an odd reaction to light that farfetched?"
"Ikuto, don't listen to him," Yoru said, smiling, "I saw for a fact his eyes changed color."
"Obviously more than one person could see that," Lelouch looked slightly irritated at the cat, sending another poisonous glare his way, this time without the overly dramatic light.
"So kid," Ikuto said, "What is that red color that makes you so special?"
Scratch that; Lelouch was livid with frustration. He stepped over to Ikuto, and looked into his gaze in an almost seductive way, "Do you see any red?" He questioned, tilting his head up.
"As a matter of fact," Ikuto stepped at Lelouch, then lightly took the contact off his eye, "I do."
Lelouch's gaze hardened, and the sigil seemed to pulsate in his rage. Suddenly, a thought came to mind. He quickly closed his eyes and made a blind grab for the midnight blue-haired boy's hand, "What the hell?" He snapped. "Are you trying to kill me?"
"It was only to prove a point," Ikuto said, dodging his grab, "Not to kill."
Lelouch hissed in fury, "Maybe I need that contact so I don't have a severe reaction to the natural light, because I have an allergy?"
"What natural light?" Ikuto said, "It's midnight."
Shit. Lelouch sighed, covering his exposed eye with his hand, looking at Ikuto evenly with the uncovered one. "You know, you shouldn't pry into people's lives,"
he began, placing his other hand on Ikuto's shoulder. He leaned closer, "Really, it could get you in trouble."
"You really don't know me," Ikuto said, brushing the hand off of his shoulder, "Have your stupid contact." Ikuto placed his hand in front of him, holding the small disc in place.
He took the contact, but didn't place it back in. Smiling still, he continued mockingly, "It wasn't a suggestion. It was a warning."
With a full-blown flourish, he uncovered his other eye, Geass blazing triumphantly, and began proudly, "Lelouch vi Britannia orders you; for-Rolo?"
Lelouch stared past Ikuto to the younger lavender-eyed boy who merely smiled in response, cloaked in the shadows, before retreating into the darkness, mouthing, 'Epic failure, much?'
"Hmm," Ikuto said, "I guess you do have some friends."
Lelouch bristled slightly at the comment, but looked at him angrily. 'Damn, I'm sure that counts as using my Geass... I can't use it twice, so it looks like he's safe for now. I might need Rolo to dispose of him, if I can find the damn assassin.' He sighed as he ran his hand over his eyes, replacing the contacts, "I suppose it's good night, then."
Lelouch glared; this was rather problematic... As the boy disappeared, Lelouch looked over to the forest. Rolo was waiting there, a smile on his face. Heading over with a scowl plastered on his features, Lelouch snapped, "What are you doing here?"
"Same as you," Rolo responded, playing daintily with the locket that dangled on his cell-phone. "I was out getting groceries."
"I mean in this dimension!" Lelouch growled, and Rolo looked up, slightly alarmed at his tone.
"C.C," He said shortly. "She wanted to make sure you'd be alright. I've been watching you this whole time. Kind of messy, getting your Geass to fire up over your contacts. That's new, right?"
"Yes," Lelouch admitted. "Something from this dimension messes with Geass."
"Mine as well," Rolo nodded. "That's why you haven't seen me... It's kind of awkward, seeing you frozen in the shower..."
"What the fuck?"
"I'm kidding," Rolo laughed casually. "But seriously, brother, you need to be careful. Those Guardians and Ikuto Tsukiyomi have found out already... Shall I kill them?"
"No," Lelouch shook his head. "They've got families, and I can use the Guardians."
"Okay, let's head back to our apartment."
"Our apartment?"
"Yeah. I've been sleeping in your closet and eating your Mac & Cheese," Rolo shrugged.
"You... ate my Mac & Cheese?"
"Not worried about the closet thing?"
"...That too."

***

On her way to school, Amu pondered about what Lelouch had said to her previously. He'd already died for his sins, what could it mean?
Meanwhile, Lelouch was busy sorting books with Rolo helping in the library. He was rather irritated by the Tsukiyomi boy finding out; he seemed to be much less intellectual by first impression than he really was. Rolo looked at Lelouch as they finished their tasks, lavender eyes softening at the older boy's worry, "Don't be stressed, brother. No one will believe six adolescents."

"You don't know that," Lelouch sighed. "For all we know, the Guardians are actually assassins."
"No," Rolo shook his head. "I've already done background checks."
"Fake ones."
"Ah. Then we're fucked."
"I too can't trust Lelouch anymore," Nagihiko said, "And I'm sure no one else here does either."
"How do we get him off of our backs then?" Amu said, "We can't go living like this forvever." "Something will be done," Tadase said, "I promise, Amu-chan." "Right," Amu said.
"So where'd C.C go this morning?" Lelouch questioned, looking up at Rolo. "She said she was doing some business..."
"How should I know?" Rolo returned the look, a slightly irritated look in his features. "She doesn't tell me everything either. She just told me to be quiet and follow you until I felt you were in danger. Except she took all my weapons, so it's useless..."
"You don't have your dagger?"
"No."
"Poison?"
"No."
"Gun?"
"No."

***

After all of her classes, Amu went to the Royal Garden. Slowly and quietly, she took her seat. "What's wrong, Amu-chan?" Tadase asked with concern. "You seem awfully depressed."

"Oh," Amu said, "It's nothing, just stuff on my mind."

"Like what?" Rima asked.

"Lelouch," Amu said, "He told me he had already died for his sins, and I just don't understand what it means."

-[Setting Change]-
"Okay, time to go home," Tadase said after the meeting, "See you all tomorrow." "Goodbye, everyone," Amu said.
"Look, the guardians," Rolo commented, and Lelouch turned his gaze. A thought crossed his mind, and he smiled, looking at his supposed brother.
"Say Rolo, could you perhaps follow miss Amu home? Don't do anything drastic like killing or torturing her, but just watch," Rolo nodded, a bright look crossing his innocent features.
"Of course, brother."
While Amu walked home, she seemed brighter. "Amu-chan, you seem happier," Miki commented. "I guess I kind of am," Amu said, "Know this incident will be straightened out, I feel sort of, relieved."
Rolo blinked in confusion as she spoke to the floating charas. He hadn't activated his Geass around her, so all he could see was small flickers of red, blue and green. However, he could hear their
voices. It was... odd. He quickly ducked away as she passed his hiding tree, then made his way to keep up.
"I'm home!" Amu said as she slipped off her shoes, and ran upstairs to her room. "Welcome home, Amu," her mother said. "Hewwo, big shister!" Ami said.
'Lelouch didn't tell me she had a sister,' Rolo thought to himself. He sent his Geass over the house and ducked in, pausing in the hallway to let his heart take a rest, then ducked under Amu's bed as he heard her footsteps.
Amu threw her bag on her bed, and pulled out a casual outfit; striped ripped shirt, black skirt, and long socks. Amu started to derobe herself, hanging her uniform in her closet. Eyes wide and an insane blush rising on his features, Rolo looked away, suddenly feeling like a dirty old man. He debated whether to use his Geass, but no... brother wanted him to watch.
Amu fixed her hair into ponytails, then plopped on her bed. "Ah, nice to be home," Amu said.

"Amu-chan!" Her mom said from downstairs, "Dinner in 15 minutes!"

"Okay mom!" Amu shouted down the stairs.
She's on the bed, she's on the bed, Rolo chanted inside his head. Oh Lelouch, what did you make me do?
After lying down for a while, Amu stood up. "Time to go to dinner," Amu said, then walked out of her room, and shut the door behind her.
Rolo sighed in relief and made his way out of under the bed, lavender eyes scanning the room before laying on four eggs. Oh crap... he'd forgotten about the charas...
Hearing a stirring motion, Miki woke up. "Hey guys, did you hear that?" Miki asked tiredly. "Miki, it was probably the wind, Amu's balcony is unlocked," Ran said, half-asleep, "Go to bed."
Miki, with a concerned look on her face, shut her egg and fell back asleep.
A relieved look passed over Rolo's face, and like the charas said, the balcony was open. He headed over silently, and looked around for a way to get down without looking too suspicious. After all, this was a neighborhood, and leaping down without getting hurt was a tad unnatural. If someone saw, Lelouch would be very angry.
After her dinner, Amu walked to the stairwell, and headed up the stairs. "Ah, time to go to bed," Amu said.
Hearing her footsteps, Rolo panicked, reaching into his hidden pocket for his switchblade... only it wasn't in this plane of existence, "Shit..."
Amu reached for the door handle, then heard the phone ring. "Coming!" Amu said, running down the stairs.
"Phew," Rolo's gaze flitted back to the balcony, and with a resigned sigh, jumped off, landing with ease. Except for the fact he fell on a cat, which yowled and ran away. Rather loudly, he would add.
Miki's egg shot open at the loud scream, and she immediately headed towards the balcony. "The door's open?" Miki said. Floating outside, she saw a cat running and yowling, along with a boy
standing outside. "Nothing important, I guess." Miki said, then went back to her egg.
Rolo made his way back to his brother's apartment and knocked on the door. A small pause followed, and the door opened, revealing a rather... revealing C.C. He blushed wildly, and looked away, "C.C, why aren't you wearing any pants?"
"Pizza tastes better when you're feeling the air around you," The green-haired witch shrugged.
"Oh... Is Brother around?" Rolo asked.
"Yes," C.C nodded, beckoning for him to come in. "He's sleeping, but I'll wake him up."
"Wait!" It was too late. The witch had already ducked into his room, and from the sound of shattered glass, had woken Lelouch up. Moments later, a bed-headed raven-haired boy came out, looking at Rolo with drowsy violet eyes.
"How do you do?" He asked, stifling a yawn. He was in a pair of pink pajamas, and his mop-like hair was tangled and unlike the tidy Lelouch he knew.
"I didn't get any information," Rolo admitted, looking downcast. "The situation became rather dangerous."
"How?"
"Well," Rolo's already pink cheeks turned to scarlet. "She stripped."
"Oh," Lelouch nodded, looking drowsily amused. "Cool."
"You'd better be asleep," Rolo muttered in disgust. "That's just sick, Lelouch."
"Yeah," He smiled. "I'm going back to bed."
"Fine. I'm eating your Mac & Cheese."
"Jerk." Lelouch muttered.
"Bitch." Rolo retorted.

***

Amu just finished school and the Guardian meeting, and was headed home. "I can't believe Yaya is forcing us to get ice cream today," Amu sighed, "Oh well, I should go so she doesn't throw a fit."
Meanwhile, Lelouch was once again skipping class to get more groceries. It had been easy at first, with just him, but when C.C and Rolo came, it was definitely a challenge to get everyone enough to eat. At least he'd Geassed someone to get a check worth... err, quite a sum of money, and of course the source was legal. Why would you ask that?
Amu set her bag down, and got changed into a different outfit; just a black and pink tee, skirt, and socks. "I'm heading out, mom!" Amu said, slipping on some shoes. "Have fun, dear!" Her mother replied. Amu walked to the meeting spot, but no one was there. "Geez, where is everyone?" Amu said impatiently. "Amu-chi!" Amu turned around and saw Yaya, along with the rest of her friends. "Let's get ice cream!" After everyone got theirs, they sat around a table near a park. "Yaya, why exactly did you make us come here?" Amu asked between intervals of licking her ice cream.

"Aww, come on! Ice cream is good!" Yaya said, "I thought we should do it together!"
Wonderful... Lelouch eyed the park in dismay as he saw a rather familiar pink-haired girl and the other guardians, as well as their... charas. His Geass pulsed, wanting to be released, and he simply sighed, walking into the park. Suddenly, the yell of, "X-egg!" split through the air.
"The f-" Lelouch was cut off as he looked over, before immediately regretting it. Apparently the blackish eggs were not compatible with Geass, which seemed to vaporize his contacts. 'Of course that would happen. Right when I'm fifteen minutes from home. By Charles vi Britannia, I curse this plane of existence.'
"My own heart, unlock!" All of the Guardians said this, and the glow grew stronger. After some time it faded, revealing them in strange outfits.

"Chara-nari, Amulet Spade!"

"Chara-nari, Platinum Royal!"

"Chara-nari, Clown Drop!"

"Chara-nari, Dear Baby!"

"Chara-nari, Beat Jumper!"
Lelouch merely twitched. Is this seriously how they walked around in real life? Of course, he was Zero, man of miracles, but... ARGHH, it was a disgusting way to present one's self.
"Tightrope Dancer!" Rime threw her ropes in the air.

"Yaya's turn! Go, go, Duckie-chan!" Many rubber ducks headed towards he X-eggs, attempting to tie them with the ropes.

"Blaze Shoot!" Nagihiko shot a powerful blue ball at some other X-eggs, making them scatter like crazy. "Colorful Canvas!" Amu swung her giant paintbrush, releasing a colorful paint that trapped the X-eggs. "White Decoration!" Tadase held his staff to the sky, sending a beam that immobilized all the eggs. "Now, Amu-chan!" Tadase said.

"Right!" Amu held her hands in the shape of a heart. "Negative Heart, Lock on! Open Heart!" A powerful ray ejected from the lock on her neck, making the eggs purify. "Phew, we got them." Amu said. Suddenly, a bright egg came to the center of the group of eggs. "The Embryo?" Amu said.
Gazing at the pure-energy form of the Embryo with dark red eyes, Lelouch couldn't help but suddenly feel rather... insignificant. He looked at it for another moment, then adjusted the weight oh his arms from the groceries.
Amu ran backwards, then forward, leaping in the air. 'I'll get the Embryo,' she thought, 'for everyone's wishes, and mine too!' As Amu reached her hand to the Embryo, she felt a strange power, and suddenly, her Character Transformation disappeared. "Amu-chan!" Miki said, flying downward at Amu falling.
'She's falling!' Lelouch gasped, and then remembered his Geass. He ran over so she'd be able to hear, and shouted, "Live!"
"Amu-chan!" Tadase ran over to Amu's area. "Holy Crown!" A giant crown appeared, and Amu, obeying Lelouch, landed gracefully on it. Looking slightly relieved, Lelouch closed his eyes. That was too close; though he didn't particularly like the girl, he wouldn't have her die over such a petty light.
When the crown disappeared, Amu was in Tadase's arms. "T...Tadase-kun," Amu blinked slightly. "The Embryo, what happened to it?" Setting Amu down, he said, "It got away, but it's okay, because you're safe." Amu blushed lightly, standing up.
"Amu-chan, are you okay?" Nagihiko came running up to Tadase and Amu, his and the other's Character Transformations disappearing.

"I'm fine," Amu said, "It's just too bad the Embryo got away."
Amu looked down, but saw something out of the corner of her eyes, a red light. However, when she saw the source of light, it was Lelouch. Lelouch returned her gaze, red meeting her soft, yellow eyes. He smiled slightly, "You already know about Geass. Don't look so surprised."
"The Geass," Amu said, looking at him in shock, "But, why isn't it working? I should be hypnotized right now."
His eyes narrowed in amusement, "Didn't you hear my call? To live?" His voice took on the commanding tone, and he saw the reddish tint in her eyes flicker on, then off.
"Then," Amu said, "That's why I was caught by Tadase."
He nodded, smiling faintly, "I didn't want to see another death."
"Well..." Amu paused for a moment, then looked up into his gaze, "Thank you."
"Of course," Lelouch looked to the side so he could see the others through his peripheral vision, but not to Geass them. "However, your friends don't look so thankful..."
"But of course we are," Tadase said, "You may have seemed nearly evil, but you saved Amu-chan. That's enough for me."
"Don't give your trust away so easily," He muttered under his breath, before noticing Rolo walking up, a slightly guarded look in his eyes. "Rolo, they're safe."
"So I shouldn't kill them." The assassin mused, almost sounding regretful that he couldn't.
"He wanted to kill us," Amu said, "But, if he saved me, then....why?"
"I didn't want to kill you," Lelouch looked slightly surprised at her words. He then smiled slightly, "Oh, the threat. I was trying to keep Rolo and my abilities less known."
"Brother..." Rolo muttered, looking irritated he'd mentioned his Geass.
"Please, don't worry," Tadase said, "We promise to stay quiet, as long as nothing significant happens between us."
Rolo sent a look at Lelouch, who skillfully ignored it, "Of course." Lelouch reassured. "We will not take any drastic actions... right, Rolo?"
"Certainly, if Brother does not wish it," He flicked out his switchblade for a moment and twirled it in the air.
"Good," Amu said, "However, I still feel a bit bad about the tension that came between us." Amu looked down for a bit.
"You had every right to feel suspicious," Lelouch responded regally. "If not, you'd be a fool."
"Lelouch," Rolo held out a small case. "Contacts."
"Thank you," He looked slightly surprised. "You carry them around?"
"Yes, C.C said you'd lose them today," Rolo smiled as Lelouch placed them in and blinked.
"I need to get going now," Amu said, "My mom wasn't expecting me to be gone this long."
He nodded, "And your friends should as well. Farewell, Miss Hinamori," And with that, the two 'Lamperouge' siblings made their way out of the park.
"To think," Tadase said, "Lelouch really is a nice person like we thought. Anyway, goodbye, Amu-chan." "Bye, Tadase-kun," Amu said, waving while leaving the park.
Amu walked through the glass door, then sat with her fellow companions. "Hi everyone," Amu said. "So, I guess we can approve Lelouch as safe," Tadase said, "We can just keep our distance."
Meanwhile, Rolo and Lelouch were busy concentrating on a chess match, with Lelouch cornering Rolo's white king with his own. He could move to the left, but Lelouch's knight was
there... and to move back would be safe, but take him into the corner, where he'd be trapped. Sighing, Rolo smiled, "You win again, Lelouch."
The meeting was meant to last late; until 7:00 p.m. to be exact. Once it was over, Amu headed home. When she was at the park, she looked around at the surroundings, and suddenly, saw an X-egg floating around.
'7:00,' Lelouch sighed in dismay as he carried the warm pizza in his arms. 'C.C's gonna kill me. She wanted pizza an hour ago...'
"An X-egg!" Amu followed it's path, only to horrifically find it flying at a speedy to pace towards Lelouch. "Lulu, look out!" Amu shouted, running towards him.
Lelouch looked up at the yell, and he braced himself, knowing it would hit. Suddenly, Rolo was in front of him, holding a shattered egg in his palm, an indifferent look in his eyes.
Amu's eyes were bloodshot. She merely stood at the current happening. She could feel liquid running down her face, but from the rain or tears, she didn't know. "Rolo," Amu said, "....why? That was a child's dream you just shattered!"
Rolo only gazed at her, looking mildly amused, "This world isn't full of cheerleading heroes," He nodded towards Ran. "Perhaps people are better of without them."
'You know better than them all,' Lelouch thought. Rolo had told him of his past, being trained as an assassin since the age of six.
"I won't forgive you for this!" Amu shouted. Then, Amu transformed into Amulet Heart. "Never will I ever forgive someone who shatters a dream."