Hello everyone,

here's the next chapter.

I just want to say that I don't find that Suzaku was that extreme OOC. A bit too much I agree, but when I think of the scene where he talks to Lelouch about Zero, he hates Zero quite a bit. Coupled with his worry for Euphemia I think he would react close to that.

Anyway, still thanks for the reviews.

Disclaimer: Really? It still hasn't changed.

Inside the Knightmare Lelouch is meanwhile brooding over his next steps. Suddenly C.C.'s voice rips him out of it.

"We're here. You should talk to your followers," she says blankly.

He nods absentmindedly and pulls the cloth back over his face. He heaves a sigh and adjusts the helmet on his head, letting it click in place.

Outside the Black Knights have been awaiting the arrival of their leader with anxiousness. Since they are positioned too far away they couldn't see neither hear what went on in the arena. Well they saw that no massacre occurred and everything apparently proceeded peacefully. Nonetheless the whole group is impatient for the result of whatever Zero had planned. Kallen opens her Knightmare, climbing halfway out of it. With a hiss the top of the Lelouch's machine moves back as well and the cloaked figure stands from the cockpit.

"So what happened?" the red haired girl asks eagerly.

Zero ponders for a moment, then decides to settle with the truth, "The princess proposed an alliance…"

"And what did you do? Reject it?" a loud voice sounds from another Knightmare.

"In fact, I decided to give it a try!" Lelouch announces.

For a long moment complete silence reigns then a series of cries rings out. Some cheer supportively others cry out in anger. Luckily a loud 'silence' from behind the mask stops it. The raven is definitively not in the mood to deal with his men behaving like little children right now.

"One at a time," he growls.

"Why did you do it?" Kallen immediately speaks up, "She is a britannian princess, she will only betray us."

"In all honesty I fear the same," he admits with his gaze fixed on one of his most loyal followers, "But she told me that she renounced her title and I have a contract from which I can drop out anytime. She agreed to these terms."

"Don't tell me you trust her?" the red head hisses.

"No, I have learned to not trust anyone from the royal family," he answers to calm the girl, leaving out that that would include himself, "But it is worth a try, I think. Maybe we can use her to destroy all of Britannia. I hope that this way we can achieve our goal with less bloodshed. Our battles have been going good, but we have risked the lives of too many civilians. Wouldn't you agree that it would be better if we could fight on a ground where none of them is in danger or at least have a safe zone for them?"

"It would be," she concedes, "But didn't you say yourself that this special zone was a bad idea?"

"I did. However I think as long as we and the Japanese people are helping in constructing and organising it, it could develop into a useful base. Besides if we don't agree with it, we risk losing a big part of our supporters. Even some of you have applied to the zone. I would hate to lose those of you who did. We need every person we can get."

Kallen grumbles but leans back into her Knightmare, understanding the logic. That doesn't mean she has to like it. Nonetheless as long as Zero trust in the plan, she will try as well. But something else comes to her mind.

"But what about our identities? I mean, you are wearing a mask, but what about us? If we were to meet with her or other's they could find out who we are and arrest us."

"I leave it up to you. You can either refuse to meet them or wear a mask as well if you want. But in the contract we made it is also written that they are not allowed to arrest someone from the Black Knights," he explains.

Again the girl nods, placated. After Kallen has already mentioned the major issues, it's Ohgi who speaks next.

"And what happens next? We are obviously not needed here anymore. There is no risk of an attack."

"No, for today we are retreating. I will meet up with Euphemia next Saturday to discuss the first steps. I would ask Oghi and Kallen to accompany me if they agree. Until then keep low. I will not accept any attacks on britannian forces until this is solved, do I make myself clear? I know some of you aren't pleased with this development, but I will allow no harsh actions. It is a try to cause less bloodshed for the people of Japan and I don't want it jeopardized because one of you is pissed, understood?" he commands.

It earns him several nods so he turns to Kallen, "Will you come on Saturday?"

She thinks for a moment. Of course she wants to see whether this princess is serious but on the other hand she is not sure whether it is good for her to simply go out like that as a representative of the Black Knights.

"Will Suzaku be there? He knows my identity," she asks cautiously.

"Euphemia's knight? I suspect so. But you still have the mask from the Black Knight's first appearance, don't you?" she nods, "Good, you can wear it. And Suzaku isn't allowed to attack or arrest you either. He is under the same restrictions as every other britannian."

"Fine, I want to see what they are up to," she sighs and agrees.

"Thank you but watch out for Suzaku he was as pleased about our alliance as you," Lelouch smirks behind his helmet, "Oghi?"

"Sure, someone has to keep Kallen in check after all while you negotiate with the princess," he nods.

Inside he is relieved that they can now work together as he is one of those who applied for the special zone and would hate to either have to leave the Black Knights or to fall into a disagreement with them. Now he can keep both and he thinks the zone is not a bad idea at least for the beginning. From here they can begin to change Japan. He smiles softly to himself. He hopes that this is a step in the right direction to peacefully freeing Japan.

Zero nods. With a sigh he makes the sign for retreat. Suddenly he hears more complaints.

"Why would he do that? The Britannians are our enemies. He can't just ally with them."

He groans and turns back to the loudmouth, "It is called strategy," he growls, "If I didn't we would still be fighting. That would cause deaths and that could cause the public to lose faith in us. Additional to that some of your colleagues have applied for a place in the zone. If we would have fought against the zone, what do you think they would have done?"

As the loudmouths stay silent, looking down ashamed, Lelouch sighs and turns the other direction, "Oghi, I know for a fact that you did apply for a place. What would you have done? Left the Black Knights?" he questions the older man.

Looking decidedly uncomfortable, the Japanese nods, "Maybe. It would have been too difficult to be part of something the Black Knights fought against. Even if not, I doubt I could have continued like before."

Zero nods as well and looks back at the offender, "Do you understand now? We will see whether we will be able to trust the princess and find a better way to free Japan. Do you have any more complaints?"

It earns him at least silence, apart from some little grumbles. He sighs and rubs the forehead of his mask. As all of them seem to be content now, the whole group moves towards their hiding base. The Knighmares are stowed away again. The group parts to their homes, having enough to think about for the day. Lelouch sighs relieved as the last of them (Kallen) leaves the through the door. Ignoring C.C., he pulls his helmet off, followed by the black cloth and his long coat. The girl stares at him conspicuously.

He sighs, "Don't even start. Leave me alone for today. I have to think," he growls.

The green haired girl smirks, but actually keeps silent. So the boy just pulls his Zero costume off and stuffs it back into his bag. No need to walk around in the costume outside and risk getting caught. Still silent he walks out of the door, ordering the still grinning C.C. to stay there and not come with him. Hurriedly he makes his way back home.

"I'm home, Nunnally," he says as he opens the door.

His bag is thrown into his room and after he has dressed in more casual clothes, he walks over to the dining room. But when he opens the door he freezes.

"Lelouch!"

That's it for today. Thanks for reading.

Who can guess who that is at the end?

Hope to see you next time and please review.