I know some of you were a little upset about what I did to poor Shirley last chapter, but you have to admit, even the Code Geass writers didn't what her and Lelouch together. Even time she thought she had him, something horrible happened to her. I'm not saying I wouldn't like Shirley and Lelouch together, I'm just not going to make is easy for her. Expect some more embarrassments in future chapters.

Also, after a great deal of thinking, and rewatching the entire series, I finally have decided how to end this story. I won't say any more here, otherwise you won't finish reading it.

'Poor Shirley' Kallen thought as she watched the orange-haired run off. She didn't know how Shirley had ended up kissing Rivalz instead as Lelouch was right in front of her, there was practically no way she could miss.

Maybe fate didn't want Shirley and Lelouch together. First was Narita with Shirley's father's death, then Lelouch wiping her memory with Geass. After that was the Black Rebellion and both of their memories be erased. And of course, right when Shirley finally was dating Lelouch, Rolo murdered her. Poor Shirley.

"Hey," Milly shouted, dragging everyone's attention back to her, "That cat was carrying something on its head, right Suzaku, Kallen? Did either of you manage to get a look at it?"

"No, not me" Suzaku said, slightly embarrassed. "I just caught the cat when he ran out of the bushes. What about you Kallen?"

"No, I didn't see anything either." Kallen focused on a nervous looking Lelouch. "The cat was just hiding in the bush when I saw it and I didn't see whatever it was carrying in there in the first place. I guess he must've dropped it somewhere. Oh well."

Out of the corner of her eye, while everyone was focused on her, Kallen saw C.C. digging in the bush for the mask. As soon as she had it, she slipped away unseen. Both Kallen and Lelouch let out a small sigh as she did, Zero's identity still hidden.

Milly gave a large sigh in defeat. "Just when I thought I had some good dirt on you Lulu."

"Better luck next time Madam President. By the way, there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about." Lelouch then turned towards Suzaku. "The rules of Ashford Academy clearly state that all students are required to join a club. If you and Suzaku don't have any objections, I'd like to nominate him as a member."

"Well, as Vice-President, I suppose I can't refuse you. Of course, I'm not about to pass up a golden opportunity. As your friend, Suzaku must have all sorts of interesting stories about you I can use."

Both boys were shocked, and a little nervous, but neither said anything. Wanting to start their friendship/rivalry off right, Kallen hesitantly stepped forward.

"Welcome aboard Suzaku, my name's Kallen Stadtfeld. My poor friend with the orange hair who ran off is Shirley Fenette. Don't worry; I'll introduce you to her later."

Taking her cue, the rest of the Council introduced themselves. After Suzaku had deposited Arthur into a delighted Nunnally's lap and Rivalz dragged the new member off to celebrate, the rest of the student body disappeared, leaving only Lelouch and Kallen.

"Kallen, are you sure you didn't see whatever it was that cat got?"

"No," she said, adopting her usual Stadtfeld attitude towards Lelouch, "I don't know what kind of game you and the President are playing, but next time, leave me out of it. Honestly, offering up people as prizes…"

Kallen then stomped off, letting Lelouch believe she was quietly ranting about Britannians. After she had left Lelouch behind, Kallen rushed to catch up with Nina. Luckily, the girl was heading back to the Clubhouse by herself.

"Nina! We need to have a little chat."

As they walked, Kallen explained everything to the genius that she knew; about Geass, Lelouch's role as Zero, Nunnally and C.C., and the purpose of the new Zero Requiem. Nina was quite the whole walk and didn't say anything until Kallen had finished.

"Thank-you Kallen, for explaining, though I already knew quite a bit. You see, when Lelouch recruited me for the F.L.E.I.J.A. countermeasure, he explained everything to do with Princess Euphemia's death. I never truly forgave him for his role, but, knowing about Geass helps."

"You're just like Suzaku in that matter; he never forgave Lelouch for Euphemia's murder, even after he killed Lelouch himself. I guess he blames himself as well."

"I see. I also want to thank-you for bringing me into this. Maybe I can actually be friends with Suzaku now. Last time, I was too afraid because of my fear of Elevens, I mean Japanese. And then, I became the chief of Vogue and…the only time I got to really get to know Suzaku was during the Damocles War. Now, I actually have a chance, especially with him being Princess Euphemia's Knight. Oh, I can meet Euphemia herself again. Please, don't let her die this time, or Shirley."

"Don't worry Nina, I won't. That's actually part of the reason I used my Geass on you. Tell me, did Lelouch ever mention something called the Geass Order?"

"Maybe, I don't know. Why?"

"Because, it's mine, C.C.'s and Jeremiah's belief that V.V., the leader of the Order, caused Lelouch's Geass to go out of control and cause…. They're also responsible for Shirley as well. Anyway, we've been planning our strike on the Order before it gets there but we've run into a problem. We have a very limited amount of people able to attack them and the Order is quite big. We need a way to take them out in one strike and when I saw you working I thought of…"

"F.L.E.I.J.A. You want to use my work on F.L.E.I.J.A. to destroy the Order, don't you?"

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to use you like this; it's just…"

"No, it's O.K." Nina looked down and started wringing her hands. "All those deaths I caused, I never forgave myself for them, even after all the good work I did after the war. All the whispers and glares I received…. Using the F.L.E.I.J.A. here, to protect Princess Euphemia, and all the work I could do for you and the Black Knights; it won't make up for what I did but, it'll be a start."

"Nina, it will be more than a start. Here, now, no one knows what you did, what you created. All those lives lost can now be saved. Helping us, you can finally forgive yourself."

A few tears fell down Nina's face before the girl leaped at Kallen and engulfed her in a hug. "Thank-you Kallen, you're a true friend."

After letting go, Nina grabbed her laptop and began typing away at a furious speed. "Kallen, I need all the information you can get about the Order's base. If F.L.E.I.J.A. is to work, I need all the proper details."

"I don't know them myself as I've been to their headquarters, but I can get you in touch with Jeremiah. He knows all there is about the Order other than C.C. If there's anything you need, he'll have it."

A quick phone call later and a secret meeting between a pleased Jeremiah and Nina was set up. After reminding Nina that she wasn't supposed to do anything to change the timeline, Kallen left the girl to her work. C.C. was waiting for her in the hallway.

"You're extremely lucky, you know that. That's five people you've awakened now. If you're not careful, your power will get out of control."

"So you keep reminding me."

"I have to; you're not as strong as Lelouch."

"That's a joke, right?"

"Lelouch is easily capable of controlling his Geass; both his parents had their own powers and his intellectual mind gives him more control. But you; you let your emotions get the better of you most of the time and you think before acting. I have to remind you because one day, very soon, your power will get out of control. I don't know when that'll happen but at the rate you're going, it'll happen soon."

"Where's the mask?"

"I hid it in Lelouch's room again, but better. Now no stupid feline will make off with it."

A chime suddenly sounded from above and the school's PA system came on. "All students please report to the gymnasium for the live presentation of Third Prince Clovis's Funeral."

The two made their way towards the main building, joining up with the rest of the Student Council. Shirley, over her embarrassment and now changed out of her practice suit, gave Kallen her jacket back. With a soft smile, Kallen stood on Shirley's left while C.C. stood on her right.

The gym was packed with students. They lined up in rows facing the large screen that had been put in. Out of the corner of her eye, Kallen could see Suzaku and Lelouch standing next to each other in the row in front of her. Like last time, Kallen tuned out most of the funeral, quietly celebrating the death of Clovis. She only focused when the man she hated the most come on screen.

"And now, His Royal Majesty, the ninety-eighth Emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire."

Charles zi Britannia confidently walked up to the podium and the camera immediately focused on him. Kallen's eyes narrowed. Here was the man who ordered the invasion of Japan, making it a colony, reducing her people to mere Numbers. The same man who exiled Lelouch and Nunnally for no reason other than the fact he had no use for them. The man that Lelouch despised more than any other.

"All men," the Emperor stated, "are not created equal! Some are born swifter of foot, others with greater beauty; some are born into poverty, and others born sick and feeble, both in birth and upbringing. In sheer scope of ability every human is inherently different.

"Yes, that is why people discriminate against one another, which is why there is struggle, competition, and the unfaltering march of progress. Inequality is not wrong, equality is! What of the E.U. which made equality a right? Rabble politics by a popularity contest. What of the Chinese Federation with its equal distribution of wealth? A nation of lazy dullards!

"But not our beloved Britannia, we fight, we compete, evolution is continuous. Britannia along moves forward, advancing steadily into the future. Even the death of my son, Clovis, demonstrates Britannia's unswerving commitment to progress. We will fight on, we shall struggle, compete, plunder, and dominate, and in the end, the future shall be ours! All hail Britannia!"

The chant of 'All hail Britannia' rang throughout the gym. Every person attending the funeral was shouting it. It made Kallen sick. She swore, the Emperor would pay for his crimes, even if she had to kill him herself. Another glance at Lelouch showed his determination as well. If looks could kill, the Black Rebellion would be over with now and then with the glare he was giving the screen.

The next day, Kallen walked into the Student Council room to find Shirley, Milly, and Nina arguing about naming Arthur. Shirley of course had no idea that Arthur was the cat's name but Milly wanted to try and rename him.

"Kallen, at last! Come on, we still have to find a name for our new cat. Shirley insists we call him Panda but I don't know."

"Oh come on Madam Prez, it's a cute name. Just look at the black spot around his eye, Panda's perfect."

"It'd be confusing" Lelouch stated as he also walked in. "I don't see why we're adopting him anyways. In case you're forgetting, this is my home too so I'll most likely be the one taking care of him."

"To bad Lelouch, it was majority rule."

"And by 'majority' you really mean you, don't you?"

"What can I say, I like cats! Especially this one."

"Probably hoping he'll steal something else from me" Lelouch muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing!"

Kallen smiled as she took a seat and observed the banter between Lelouch and Milly. Arthur jumped up into her lap and did the same. It certainly was entertaining, and it got Kallen thinking. With all the blonde's action towards Lelouch, was it possible that she too held some sort of more than sisterly feelings towards him. If so, Kallen wasn't looking forward to fighting her for Lelouch's affections.

"Isn't this nice Arthur?" Kallen whispered to the cat. "It's just like the good old days, before the Black Rebellion. You probably don't even know what I'm talking about though, do you?"

Arthur turned his head around and gave Kallen a look that seemed to say, at least to her, that he knew exactly what she was talking about. Was it possible? Arthur had stayed with the former Knight of Six after Lelouch's death so she hadn't seen the cat again. Did Geass work on animals or was her mind just playing a trick on her?

"Do you remember?" Kallen asked. Arthur just nudged her hand, asking for her to pet him. Obviously the cat wouldn't answer so Kallen complied with his wishes.

"He seems to like you Kallen."

Kallen looked up. Shirley was smiling down at her petting Arthur while Milly and Lelouch still argued.

"Guess I'm just a cat person" she said with a laugh. Suzaku laughed a little too and walked over. Kallen knew what was coming and didn't even try and stop him. Suzaku reached down to try and pet Arthur and was promptly bitten.

"OW!"

"I guess we can't say the same about you, huh Suzaku?" Kallen stated, leaning back into her chair regally. In the past she had privately enjoyed watching Suzaku getting bitten. Now, it was like a small victory to punish Suzaku for killing Lelouch.

"Don't worry Suzaku, I'll get the first aid kit" Shirley said as she scampered away.

Arthur's show of love brought Milly and Lelouch out of their argument. Lelouch helped his friend get free of the feline's strong teeth as Arthur was really stubborn. He just did not want to let go. If he did remember, maybe he was punishing Suzaku for leaving him after the Damocles War. Shirley arrived and started to wrap Suzaku's hand in a bandage.

"You seem familiar with this cat Suzaku" Milly said, going into gossip huntress mode, "Were you the one who bandaged his leg?"

"Uh, no actually, it was someone else who was with me."

"A girl huh?"

"How did you know?"

The others recognized what Milly was doing and got excited.

"Here we go, our romance detective!"

"Careful Suzaku, her intuition on these things is on target and deadly."

"You have a girlfriend, don't you?" Milly already knew about his relationship between him and Princess Euphemia, but getting it out of him was half the fun. Besides, how was she to explain how she knew that information?

"You do?" Lelouch was shocked. Kallen thought he might be planning for Suzaku and Nunnally to get together. Strange, most older brothers would try and stop their little sister and best friend from getting together. Lelouch was the only one she knew of who encouraged it.

"No, you've got it all wrong" Suzaku tried to explain, unknowingly digging himself into a deeper hole.

"Oh, I see, the relationship hasn't gotten that far yet. Though, I'm sure you really want to."

Curse her Geass for bringing Milly into this, Kallen thought.

"What's she like, where'd you meet, is she a student, is she older, is she in the military?"

Shirley's questions were endless. Probably trying to get Milly to focus on Suzaku's love life and not hers.

"Shirley, don't bit his head off."

"By the way Suzaku, when you join our Council, you have to reveal one story about your love life, that's the rules."

"What?"

"Don't worry Suzaku, she's lying. Don't fall for it."

"No I'm not." That caught everyone's attention.

"What!"

"Since you're so certain I'm lying Lelouch, you can go first."

"I refuse."

"Too bad, now spill."

"No, you can't force me."

"Oh, do I have to get Nunnally in here to beg? You know you can't resist her."

That was low, even for Milly. Everyone knew that. It was no secret, especially to Milly and Kallen, that Lelouch would do anything for his little sister.

"No need," a voice said, "she's right here." Everyone turned around to see C.C. pushing Nunnally's wheelchair into the Council Room. Upon seeing her, Arthur jumped off Kallen's lap and ran towards Nunnally's.

"Arthur!" Nunnally exclaimed happily as the cat jumped up and started licking her hand.

"Arthur?"

Kallen looked a Suzaku. He had a strange expression on his face. Did Euphemia name the cat Arthur as well?

Milly groaned in defeat. "Darn, I was hoping to name him Lelouch II."

"Absolutely not!" Lelouch said in a stern voice. It was the same one he used as Zero, Kallen noted.

"What were guys talking about? I heard my name mentioned."

"We're trying to get Lelouch and Suzaku to talk about their loves lives, but they're being very stubborn."

"Ooo, big brother's love life? Tell me, who's the lucky girl?"

"No one, there isn't anyone. Now Milly, stop corrupting my sister."

"Oh, but Lelouch" C.C. said, "Would you really deny your sister this? Just look at her, how could you refuse such a beautiful face."

Nunnally complied, scrunching up her face, sticking out her lower lip, and making her eyes water a little. All in all, Kallen had to admit that it would be impossible for Lelouch to say no to Nunnally when she looked as sad as she did. 'Witch' was the thought going through both Kallen's and Lelouch's minds.

"Please Onii-sama"

"Fine, I'll share one thing." Everyone leaned in to hear Lelouch spill one of his secrets. "I admit, there was one girl I liked, though it was a few years ago. Katherine Simmons."

"I thought so" Milly said triumphantly.

"Who…?"

"Katherine Simmons was a student here back when we first started coming to Ashford. She was an older girl with long brown hair and sparkling blue eyes. I think most of the boys had a crush on her at one point or another. However, her father was in the military and was transferred halfway through our first year. I never saw her again."

Shirley's eyes were wet from hearing about her Lulu's first crush, as was Nunnally's. Milly was thinking deep thoughts when suddenly, she snapped back into reality.

"Hey, wait a minute, that wasn't a story!"

"Yes it was, I told you about my first crush outside my family and what happened. That's all you need to know."

"But, you didn't say how you meet her, what you did to get her attention or what happened after you found out you wouldn't see her again."

"Those are things you don't need to know."

"But…"

"It's O.K. Milly" Nunnally said, "I can live with that. Besides, Big Brother likes someone else now, don't you?"

"Wha…Nunnally?"

Nunnally and C.C. shared a look with quiet giggles. Watching them, Milly gave up and turned towards Suzaku.

"O.K. Suzaku, your turn. Tell us about this girl you met with Arthur."

Nervous, Suzaku hesitated before starting. "Well, her name's Euphy."

That caught Lelouch's attention. "Huh? Euphy? You sure?"

"Yeah, that's her name" Suzaku said, knowing that Lelouch and Nunnally would recognize it.

"Oh, Lelouch, remember Euphy?"

"Huh?" Shirley interrupted. "You two know this Euphy?"

"Yes, our families were friends before we came to Area Eleven. We haven't seen her since the Second Pacific War though."

"So, how did your date with this, Euphy, go" Milly asked mischievously.

"Uh, it wasn't a date, I swear!" he told Lelouch, afraid of what he would do.

"What did you do with Euphy?" Nunnally asked, genuinely curious about the first date between her sister Euphie and her Knight.

"Well, she asked me to show her around the Settlement a bit and, I just couldn't refuse her."

"Sounds like a date to me" Shirley said excitedly.

"Maybe you should try and bring her around sometime" Milly said with a tone like she wasn't taking no for an answer. Nina nodded in agreement.

"Ah," Suzaku looked at Lelouch and Nunnally. If he brought Euphy here, she would see them and that was exactly what Lelouch didn't want. "Well, you see, our meeting happened by accident and I don't know if I'll be able to bring her around."

"Darn it!" Milly stated. She knew that Suzaku couldn't and wouldn't bring Princess Euphemia to Ashford, but she could act like she was disappointed. It would be a lot better when he was made her Knight, she could really tease him then.

"How did you guys meet anyways?" Rivalz asked.

"Oh, well, she never really said what she was doing, but I think she wanted to get away from some of her duties and sightsee. She actually jumped out a window to do it and I caught her." He quickly realized he said too much when Nunnally let out a gasp. "She wasn't hurt or anything, I caught her before she hit the ground."

This was just too good for Milly. "Oh, a real Knight in shining armor are you? I bet she just loved lying in her arms after she jumped, huh lover boy?"

Suzaku was unable to speak. He just stood there blushing, worry about just how much Lelouch could take hearing about how his best friend had a crush on his sister. Lelouch obviously had the same thought as he quickly walked over to Nunnally.

"That's enough Madam President, we still have class to get to. I suggest we get a move on before we're late. Come on Nunnally, I'll take you to Miss Sayoko. Coming Suzaku?"

"Right behind you Lelouch."

He followed brother and sister out the door along with Rivalz and Nina, leaving just Kallen, C.C., Milly, and Shirley behind.

"Consider yourself lucky Shirley, I was going to have you go next."

"Wha…what are you saying Madam President?"

"Oh Shirley, you're so clueless. Kallen tried to help you out yesterday but that failed. This was my attempt. Lelouch is never going to notice you if all you do is just watch him, you need to take action."

Shirley just blushed heavily, both because she was reminded of yesterday's Cat Hunt reward and the fact that she was once again teased about liking Lelouch.

"You need backbone Shirley, need incentive." The blonde was quiet, thinking again, so Kallen stood up and made for the door to go to class when Milly's shout caught her attention.

"That's it! You need incentive, motivation. And I have just the thing. Kallen, come back, we need you in on this."

Realizing that she couldn't escape whatever scheme Milly had come up with this time, Kallen walked back to the little group. Together, the four girls leaned in to hear the plan.

"Now, everyone here likes Lelouch, right?"

Shirley's face took on a mixture of embarrassment and horror while Kallen stared at Milly wide-eyed. C.C. just nodded.

"And I think we can all agree that Lelouch needs someone, a girl other than little Nunnally, in his life. Well, I propose a little competition. We each try and get Lelouch to go on a date with us. Winner is the first one who can provide proof that they actually went on a real date with him, and it has to be a real date, something that none of us would disagree with."

"What does the winner get?" C.C. asked.

"Hmm, that's a good question. What should the winner get?"

"I like pizza."

"We know you do C.C. In fact, if I offered you enough pizzas you'd probably drop out of the competition."

"Nuh uh, no dropping out and no cheating. That includes going to Nunnally for help. Each of us has to try her best. As for the prize, well, just come up with something you really want, other than Lelouch that is, that the three losers will provide it for you. Let the game begin girls."

"Right!"

On the other side of the campus, Lelouch let out a large sneeze.

"Hey, you feeling O.K. there buddy?"

"Yeah, but I got a strange feeling that my life is suddenly about to get really strange."

Poor Lelouch, he has no idea.