Suzaku waited impatiently on the roof, glaring at the occasional surveillance team member who looked up his way. They were well-trained, very observant and casual about it. It was kind of a shame that Lelouch's geass undermined those skills, but Suzaku wasn't in the mood to deal with them.

It had been three days since Nunnally's public announcement, and Zero had been silent. Neither a public declaration of support nor a public dismissal had been issued from the leader of the Black Knights, and that had left the Elevens and Honorary Britannians who looked to him at something of a loss.

Nunnally and the other Knights of the Round were wary too, as was Ms. Lohmeyer, Nunnally's administrator. Of course, they were more concerned that Zero would back out of his promised assistance, then turn the people against them.

Suzaku wasn't so sure that wouldn't happen. He'd actually had some Honorary Britannians come up to him and outright ask if this was another trap. Some of them had seemed upset when he's denied it, asking what was the point of Honorary status if all the Elevens had the same rights they did.

Suzaku didn't have an answer to that. There were a lot of questions Suzaku couldn't answer.

And he had his own questions.

This was the first day he could get away from his duties as Nunnally's personal guard to return to Ashford and ask them of Lelouch. But first, he had to get Lelouch alone. Lelouch had gym this period, and he always spent it up on the roof. If Lelouch didn't show up, then that probably would mean that he was avoiding Suzaku.

He was just about to go hunt down Lelouch himself (the agents might have been useless, but Rivalz and Milly and Shirley could always be counted on to help track Lelouch down) when the roof door opened and Lelouch walked through, as casually as if he really was just an Ashford student.

"Lelouch!"

"Suzaku." Lelouch smiled. "Any problems?"

"Any… what the hell? You promised to support Nunnally's Special Zone, then you don't say anything publicly and throw the Japanese community into confusion, and you haven't contacted me since or even Nunnally as Zero…"

Lelouch just continued to smile. Suzaku forced himself to stop talking and just glared. "Are you really going to support Nunnally? Do you really think this is for the best?"

"I've given my word, Suzaku. I would never lie…" Suzaku snorted. "…to Nunnally."

…point. "So you're just going to give Japan to Nunnally?" Suzaku couldn't help but be hopeful. Yes, this plan had flaws, just as Suzaku's plan to become the Knight of One to protect Area 11 and Euphemia's own SAZ plan had their own flaws. But for Suzaku and Lelouch and Nunnally… selfishly, this was the best way to go.

Lelouch smiled. "I would like to. If there's anyone I could trust with Japan, it would be Nunnally. But, Suzaku, the Viceroy isn't in charge of the Area she's been given. All she can do is work the will of the Emperor, whatever that will might be."

"But she… she's renewing Euphy's promise."

"She is. And I can only believe that my father doesn't care about what she's doing. But should his attention turn back to Area 11, Nunnally's wishes will be overruled and his desires will be enacted, no matter how she feels about it."

Suzaku nodded – those were the flaws, alright. "What will you do then? Keep fighting?"

Lelouch shrugged. "Give your masters this message, from Zero. I promise that her attempt to ratify the Special Zone will be well attended. A million people, at least, more than Euphy had been able to muster. But more than that, I promise that I, Zero, will turn myself in, in return for a sentence of exile."

"Lelouch!"

"She can't know who I am, Suzaku. I won't allow it."

Suzaku swallowed hard. "So you're going to abandon her?"

"She's better off without me. As long as you're there, by her side…"

"It's not the same thing! I'm not her brother, I'm not… I'm not you, Lelouch!"

Lelouch reached out and touched Suzaku's arm. "You don't have to be, Suzaku. In fact, it's better that you're not."

"You're giving up. You're giving up the Black Knights, Japan, Nunnally…"

"I'm tired."

"…what?"

"I'm tired, Suzaku. I could have… I should have won after Euphy's death. I had it all planned out and everything went according to plan, except for Nunnally and… and you. And I couldn't go on. I turned myself in… I had you turn me in, which was wholly unfair, because I couldn't think of another way to fight. And in return I lost months of my life, and actually started seriously considering fighting against Nunnally. Nunnally. I can't do this anymore, Suzaku."

He sounded tired. His smile was thin, worn, and wavered a little around the edges. Suzaku placed his hand on Lelouch's, frowning when Lelouch flinched and pulled away. "Lelouch…"

Lelouch shook his head. "I'm sorry, Suzaku. I never planned on this. But I want… I want you to trust me. Whatever happens, your trust is one of the few things I feel I can count on."

Suzaku felt tears prick the back of his eyes. "Oh, Lelouch…" He pulled his friend in for a hug, a full bodied embrace, like they'd shared as kids. Lelouch stiffened in Suzaku's arms, his hands pressing against Suzaku's chest as if he was trying to escape, until Suzaku released him. "I'll do everything I can. I promise I'll keep Nunnally safe, and if your father tries anything…"

"Thank you, Suzaku."

"About the rest of the Black Knights…"

Lelouch shrugged. "As long as I'm with them, as Zero, I can keep them under control. Once I leave, however, it will be up to you and Nunnally as to what happens to them."

"You're just abandoning them?"

"It's not abandonment, Suzaku, just like I'm not abandoning Nunnally. I just can't fight beside them any more."

"…they'll destroy you."

"What?"

"The million people you're getting for the SAZ ceremonies… they're going to be Black Knights, aren't they?" Lelouch nodded. "If they find out that you're leaving, that you're turning yourself in and being willingly exiled while sending them into the same situation that got so many Japanese people killed…"

"I wasn't exactly planning on telling them until after."

"But that…" Suzaku bit back his objection. As much as he hated the idea of Lelouch tricking and walking away from the people who trusted him, it was the only way to end this. "Alright. I'll let Nunnally know, but you might have to talk to her directly."

Lelouch shook his head. "Not Nunnally. Whoever my father sent to monitor her. Also, your Rounds allies and anyone else with a vested interest if you must. But leave Nunnally out of it."

"Why? She'd agree…"

"But this way it'll look like you're willing to go behind her back to protect her. It will look good to my father. And that's what matters."

"…if you say so…" Suzaku wasn't entirely convinced, but he was willing to follow Lelouch's directions. "But what do I tell Nunnally?"

"Arrange everything first, then inform her of the deal you made. Like you said, she'll agree to it." Lelouch held out his hand. "Good luck, Suzaku."

Suzaku stared at the impersonal gesture for a long moment before reaching out and clasping Lelouch's hand. "Thanks. I'll do my best."

"I know you will."

OoO-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-OoO

"This is the area of the Shizuoka ghetto that will soon become the special zone. A huge number of Elevens has already gathered for the opening ceremony. As there are over a million people here, verifying personal IDs will have to wait until after the event. The presence of this many Elevens is a clear testament to the enormous power and influence that Zero still commands."

Suzaku listened to the news feed as he looked nervously over the mass of people standing and sitting on the grass in front of the make-shift stage, seemingly unconcerned with the Knightmares that stood with them for heightened security. Everyone on his end was on edge – even Gino, normally cheerful to a fault, was itching for a fight. While Anya, who had become unusually attached to Nunnally, remained with Suzaku on stage, Gino had chosen to stay back with his easily recognizable Knightmare, ready for battle, but out of sight so as to not further spook the people Zero had gathered for them.

But they didn't seem spooked at all. There was an energy running through the crowd, an aura of anticipation, but also an assurance that hadn't been present in the crowd that had gathered for Euphemia. There was also no sense of desperation or doubt like there had been that day.

Despite the speed with which this even had been arranged, and the corners cut (the stage was far from the arena Euphemia had spoken from, and this didn't have the international coverage Euphemia had arranged), the spirit here seemed much more confident. This was going to work.

The only thing Suzaku was really worried about was the reaction when Lelouch (as Zero) arrived and was exiled. There was no way he'd be able to pull that off as anything but preplanned, and Suzaku would need to move fast to assure his safety.

There were no Japanese up on stage this time. They hadn't been invited but, given that Euphemia's shot had hit Kirihara in part because of how close he'd been to her, it was doubtful that any Japanese person would have accepted, and most of this audience were either Black Knights or Black Knight allies. Instead, there were fourteen seated Britannians on either side of Nunnally and Ms. Lohmeyer, including Suzaku. None of them supported this endeavour, but at least they were willing to appear for it.

Ms. Lohmeyer set up the microphone and Nunnally started. "People of Japan, welcome to the specially administrated zone. I'm overjoyed that so many of you have gathered here for this great event. Please lend me your help so we can make history together."

Lelouch wasn't here yet. Why wasn't Lelouch here yet? Everything was moving forward smoothly, perfectly. All he needed to do was show up and allow himself to be taken away. They'd agreed to do this at the ceremonies, a sign that peaceful resolution was possible, and a strike against the spirit of the rebellion. Where was he?

Not that that was going to stop Ms. Lohmeyer. "Before the ceremony officially begins, there are some items we need to address. All those participating in the Japan special zone will have criminal charges against them reduced and class 3 or lower criminals will have their sentences suspended. However the instigator of the murder of former viceroy Calares cannot be forgiven. Therefore under special Area law, section 12 paragraph 8, Zero alone shall be banished and sent into exile."

Suzaku clenched his fists. This was it. If Lelouch had meant what he said he would come forward now and accept his sentence. If this had been an elaborate ruse, he would force a manhunt and ignite his Black Knights even further. Was that his intention? Was he going to change gears altogether and hit Britannia hard and fast, with the threat of his exile galvanizing his troops? That bastard…

The projections skipped and suddenly Zero's mask filled every screen. "Thank you, my Britannian friends. I am grateful for your lenient treatment."

Thank goodness. Suzaku relaxed as Anya tapped his arm. Right, it was their move now.

He stood and turned his radio on to the same frequency as the microphones. "Thank you for your acceptance. I will personally guarantee your safety and even escort you out of the country myself."

"I appreciate the sentiment, but I don't wish to be in your debt, Suzaku Kururugi." Like either of them was keeping score at this point. "I would, however, appreciate an answer to a question I asked my Black Knights a few days ago."

This… wasn't part of the plan. "What?"

"What does it mean to be Japanese?"

"What does it…"

"Is Japanese merely the word for a nation? Is it a language? Territory? Blood lines?"

"No, it… it's in the heart!"

"That was the answer we arrived at as well. It's a feeling of belonging, of dignity. Of pride. The culture is carried in the heart. You're Japanese no matter where you are!"

Suzaku's confusion came to an abrupt end as every single member of the audience, as if on cue (which was probably the case) released enough gas to obscure the entire field. Were they planning something? Nunnally…

"This way, Your Highness," Anya said calmly as guards burst out from concealment, rolling Nunnally away down the prearranged escape route. Suzaku spared a moment of gratitude for her, then set about dealing with the situation.

"They haven't made any aggressive moves yet, hold off!" The last thing they needed was an all-out massacre. Even Euphemia's plan hadn't broken down that badly. Suzaku's eyes darted around, looking for Zero's Shinkiro but only seeing Gino's Tristan hovering over the field. Dammit, Lelouch…

As the gas started clearing, Suzaku was able to make out some shapes. He squinted in disbelief as Ms. Lohmeyer scoffed beside him. "So he was here the whole time."

Not… exactly. The last of the gas faded away and Suzaku was faced with a million Zeros, none of whom were Lelouch.

"I don't get it."

"What?"

Suzaku shook his head. "Why would he…"

"To all the Zeros gathered here today, Viceroy Nunnally has ordered Zero into exile. Therefore, we must all leave this country at once." Suzaku glared up at the image of Lelouch's Zero as he made his real plan clear. "No matter where we go we are Japan, for we carry it in our hearts. Let us set out for a new land!"

The Zeros all cheered and clapped, rejoicing in the way their leader had pulled this off.

Suzaku was pissed.

"It's a bluff," Ms. Lohmeyer declared, slightly desperately. "There's no way he can transport a million people."

One of the soldiers visibly flinched as he handed her a portable phone. "Ma'am, the port authority needs to speak with you…"

But Suzaku could already see it. An iceberg ship, with more than enough room for a million people, courtesy, no doubt, of the Chinese Federation.

"Sir Kururugi, we can't let a million labourers leave the country," Ms Lohmeyer said.

Gulford's voice came over the coms. "Sir Kururugi, this is an act of rebellion! Order us to fight!"

Then Gino's. "It's your call, Suzaku. You're in charge."

He could do it. He could end Lelouch's rebellion here and now, like Lelouch had promised to. None of these people were the 'real' Zero, and Suzaku knew that. He didn't even have to kill them, just order them all captured and imprisoned – this one act would be enough grounds to charge them with treasonous acts. Lelouch, wherever he was, would escape consequence-free, but only until Suzaku got his hands on him…

"I want you to trust me. Whatever happens, Suzaku, your trust is one of the few things I feel I can count on."

Suzaku scowled. You don't get to say things like that when you're planning on going back on your word and using someone you called a friend for your own ends. Dammit!

"Let them go."

"What?" Ms. Lohmeyer demanded incredulously.

"We promised to exile Zero, and we're going to keep out word. It's a matter of trust." Suzaku grabbed the microphone. "Zero, do I have your word that you'll keep them safe and away from Area 11?"

"Of course. And you, Suzaku Kururugi, can you promise the ones who stay behind will be fairly treated?"

Suzaku nodded. "I give you my word."

"And I will count on that. I am grateful to you, Suzaku Kururugi. Don't ever forget the promise you've made to me."

Suzaku let the microphone drop, the sound of the reverb drowned out by the happy cheers of the victorious Zeros. "Like I could."

OoO-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-OoO

Lelouch looked down at his men, busily working on the docks of Horai, the small island the Chinese Federation had given him as a base. He'd sent Diethard off to set up an interim municipal government and let everyone believe that this was going to be their base from now on.

In reality, he wasn't planning on staying here more than a month.

And the key to that short stay was currently latched around his waist. "Kaguya-sama, as much as I appreciate the gesture, I find it somewhat difficult to converse with you in this position."

"That's what she said!" Kaguya grinned up at Zero as she released him. "Sorry, I'll be good. What did you want to discuss?"

"The Tianzi's wedding."

"Right! We're going to stop it, right?"

Lelouch bit back a chuckle. "That is the plan. Unfortunately, I doubt our hosts will appreciate it."

Kaguya tapped her lips in thought. "Mmm… you think they're behind this?"

"Not just them." Lelouch looked up at Toudou. "There is only one man I can think of who could have arranged this alliance between two harshly rivalling countries so quickly."

Toudou raised an eyebrow, a remarkable reaction for him. "You're thinking of the second prince, Schneizel?"

"Indeed. Kaguya-sama, you received an invitation about a week ago, did you not?" Kaguya nodded. "And since then, have you heard who else was invited?"

"Not in any great detail, Zero-sama, but since the groom is the crown prince of Britannia, Odysseus, I assume his siblings are invited as well."

Lelouch nodded. It was likely that having the Tianzi marry the Britannian heir apparent was a major factor in the Chinese agreeing to this deal, but Lelouch couldn't imagine how else Schneizel had worked it. There simply wasn't enough political leverage he could have offered to make the High Eunuchs essentially hand their country over to Britannia. Unless his brother had simply gone for the easy route and bribed them personally.

Willing to sell their country out for money and ranks? Lelouch snorted. That fit his impression of the Eunuchs to a tee.

"Zero?"

"Should Schneizel arrive, that will make our task much more difficult. But I do have contingency plans in place." Or at least he would, once everything was arranged. "For now, have the Knightmares Rakshata's allies promised arrived?"

"Just a few hours ago," Ougi answered. "India is just as eager for its freedom as Japan is."

Lelouch nodded. He had no problem using the Chinese and turning on them at a moment's notice. His Black Knights, similarly, held more sympathy for the subject nations under China, especially after Rakshata had had a few drinks (okay, quite a few drinks) and loosened up enough to talk about her past and the way India had been before becoming part of the Chinese Federation. It was likely romanticised, but it worked as well as any propaganda. In the minds of most of the Black Knights, India was a land in a similar situation as Japan, and therefore Indians were brothers. There was already a thread of resentment towards their Chinese hosts that Lelouch could easily turn directly towards the Eunuchs who'd allied themselves with Schneizel.

Which was perfect. "Then we'll wait for the wedding to make out move."

"Won't they be expecting it then?" Toudou asked. "Perhaps, some random time before then…"

"No. We can't afford to look like kidnappers or invaders. The only way we can turn the Chinese people's hearts and minds towards us is to stop the wedding itself, and make the Eunuchs and Britannia into the villains."

Ougi frowned. "And what then? We'll have the Empress, but they'll still have control of the Forbidden City and the army and–"

"The Forbidden City, the army, the country itself is made up of people, Ougi. It doesn't matter what rank you hold, or position, if those under you refuse to obey, you're as helpless as a vagrant."

Toudou snorted. "So all you have to do is turn the will of the people against the government that has been leading them for centuries towards a foreign terrorist."

Behind the cover of his mask, Lelouch smiled. "Precisely. But I'll hardly be doing it alone. As Ougi said, I'll have the Empress, as well as Kaguya-sama. As long as she can be convinced that this is a rescue, she'll do our work for us."

"Which just leaves the question of how we're going to kidnap her in the first place," Kallen said. "Toudou-san is right. Britannia at least, if not the Eunuchs, will be expecting the infamous terrorist Zero to try something to stop this wedding."

"Probably." And if Schneizel was actually going to be present, that would certainly be a cause for concern. "But we've overcome worse odds before, with fewer resources." The memory of their first mission together, just Kallen and Ougi and Zero, the first time she'd placed her trust in him, and the make-shift improvised car and the impossible 'rescue' of Suzaku…

"And that risk gained us nothing," Ougi reminded them. "Suzaku Kururugi turned himself back in the moment you let him go. We could afford it then, but if the Tianzi decides she's not grateful to us, if she turns against us…"

"She won't!" Kaguya insisted. "She's a good girl! As long as I'm with her and I can talk to her, I'll make her see that we're friends. I'm sure she hates what's happening as much as anyone. All she really wants is freedom."

Lelouch stood. "And we can offer that to her. She is our natural ally, a person beset on all sides by bullies and those who abuse their power. Even if she rejects us, as Sir Kururugi did, it is our duty as allies of justice to rescue her."

Toudou snorted and shook his head. "You've been listening too closely to your speeches."

"How dare you! Zero-sama means every word! That's why his sincerity wins over the hearts of the people and his straightforward mind defeats his foes on the battlefield."

Lelouch looked down at Kaguya, her cheeks flush with emotion. Or the appearance of emotion. He bit back a laugh – this was certainly the woman he'd trust to speak in his place, if not directly for him. "Thank you, Kaguya-sama." What a brilliant little actress.

Kaguya beamed up at him, her green eyes bright and guileless and Lelouch felt a pang of remorse. He hadn't contacted Suzaku after the SAZ ceremonies, unwilling to get into the inevitable fight that his actions deserved. He'd fooled Suzaku, not as Zero, but as Lelouch. He'd lied to him, to his face, and used the trust they'd built up against him.

He hadn't had a choice. Suzaku wasn't an actor, not like his younger cousin Kaguya. If Lelouch had let Suzaku into the whole plan, he wouldn't have been able to keep it hidden. Not from Nunnally, and perhaps not even from the others. The last thing Lelouch needed was a Knight of the Round or two on guard to thwart him.

So instead, he'd made Suzaku his enemy again, if only for a moment. Or perhaps longer.

Would he understand? Had enough time passed that Suzaku could see that Lelouch's plan, the part of his promise that he'd kept, was making Area 11 a more peaceful place, easier for Nunnally to rule over. Or would he still be carrying on a grudge? Lelouch couldn't really blame him if the latter was the case. But that was all within Lelouch's calculations.

He couldn't keep working with Suzaku. Every time Suzaku touched him, Lelouch was brought back to Pendragon, kneeling in front of his father with Suzaku's weight pushing him down, keeping him in place. It had been necessary, Lelouch knew that. He didn't blame Suzaku at all, except that he completely did. As his father had invaded his mind, taking out everything that made him Lelouch, Suzaku had been the one holding him, touching him.

And Lelouch couldn't get over that. He'd tried, but when Suzaku had embraced him Lelouch had been terrified, very nearly immobilized with fear. And he couldn't let such a weakness remain close to him.

Suzaku would stay with Nunnally and Lelouch would remain with the Black Knights. And maybe later, when this was all over, Lelouch would be able to apologize, perhaps even explain. But until that day, he'd have to trust that Suzaku would continue to do the right thing without Lelouch's guidance. Because Lelouch wouldn't, couldn't face him right now.

"Zero!" Asahina raced in. "A shuttle just landed with the second prince and his entourage."

Lelouch nodded. As expected. "Very well. They'll likely be attending the reception tonight."

"That's not all." Asahina handed Zero and Toudou a set of photographs. "He's accompanied by three Knights of the Round, including…"

"Suzaku."