School Spirit

She was confused, scared, hurting. In all her life, even being a prisoner at that facility she was born in she had never looked as helpless as she was now. The pain had dampened but it was continuous unless she was sleeping which was very hard to do.

She suspected she would lose control, but never this soon. Perhaps it was her constant use that did her in. Even knowing that, it doesn't help her one bit.

All the geasses she had acquired have now gone haywire all at once. She can no longer look into someone's eyes without hearing what they were thinking or seeing a random memory, she couldn't control what the memory was ether.

Her power to freeze people hadn't changed, well not in any way she had noticed. She suspected that her geass to command people can't be turned off, just like Lelouch's.

And her geass of strength was the worst of them all, It constantly hurt her muscles, it was worse than after she had escaped the facility after breaking the prison suit. The pain was constant and unbearable.

Yet however close she felt to it her body wouldn't die, only allow her to sleep. That seemed the only time the pain wasn't there.

They had moved the bodies and cleaned the blood from the cell and off of her. She was grateful, but the horrifying memory was permanently burned into her mind.

It was not as bad of a bloodbath as the first special zone, but still. First talking to sweet little Nunnally then seeing horrible images and events. All the anger... all the hate had changed her that one moment, and she regretted it. Especially for losing control infront of Nunnally, poor girl was probably traumatized.

She wouldn't blame Suzaku if he told the emperor, or even if he tried to kill her himself. She didn't know what to think anymore. Slowly her heart slowed down as she fell into blissful sleep once more away from the pain of her life.

It was going to a strange day indeed as Anya stuffed the clothes into a backpack. It was early but then again she went to bed early so she wasn't tired. She looked at her hair in the mirror. It was now black instead of the vibrant pink. she did not want to be recognized and her hair color would've been a red light. Still she would have liked another color but black was all the shopkeeper had.

It would work for now but it would be a pain to get rid of later. She sighed looking back to her bag zipping her up.

She didn't know what else to do. She had seen plenty from the Black Knights and Britannia's view but she still couldn't decide. She had planned to talk to Gino about it. If anyone maybe he would understand. The boy had always been there for her before, whether she asked him or not but now she needed his advice. Honestly she would have asked Karren but since she is captured it falls on Gino.

She placed the backpack on as she exited the rest room where a laid back Kallen looked up at her noticing the hair. To say she was confused would've been an understatement. As she opened her mouth to speak Anya cut her off.

"I don't want to be recognized is all" Soon Kallens mouth closed as Anya walked out the door without another word closing the wooden door behind her. She stopped and looked into the bag.

Inside was a tan top with a short skirt with the Ashford Academy symbol on it. Yes it would be a strange day indeed.

Kallen looked up from the checkup she was doing on Karren. So far no execution or transfer, but she was kept in the most secure cell in the center of the Viceroy palace so getting to her was next to impossible. Still it didn't seem anything of interest had been reported. Maybe she geassed someone and got free and they just wanted to cover it up?

No, not with Suzaku aware of her. She threw the envelop across the room in rage as she slowly began to relax into the couch. Anya had left with black hair of all things which didn't scare her but made her completely confused. She decided she might as well do something then sit there so she got up and went to take a hot bath.

She silently locked the door as she began to strip her clothing to the floor. As she threw her shirt to the side she noticed the bottle of black hair dye Anya had used next to the sink. The young girl had at least been manored enough to wash out the sink of the black liquid.

Kallen turned on the hot bath/bubble bath as the steam it created quickly filled the room. She felt the water and it was just perfect, exactly how hot she had liked it when she lived with her step mother at the Stadtfelt estate. She stripped the remainder of her clothing and entered the hot bath, letting the warm water sooth her muscles as she relaxed.

"Ahhhhh." The water felt good as she felt content to simply stay there and soak. Her red hair lowered out of its spikey form as it soaked in the warm liquid.

Kallen looked over at the black bottle that Anya had left. Anya had not wanted anyone to see her. Kallen didn't know why but it wasn't her place to ask. Lelouch had told her she was slowly coming over and giving her space would only add to that.

Kallen wondered if perhaps she should dye her hair as well, she could easily take a uniform and sneak onto school, maybe play the role of a new student. Although the idea of going to school with Lelouch again did appease her somewhat, with Suzaku it was impossible. Milly and the others too, but the rest of the school wouldn't have a clue.

That thought reminded her of the promise that Lelouch had made to her. That he would return to Ashford when it was all over. She smiled but figured now wasn't the best time to try that. Lelouch was in enough trouble as is. With all those girls he would be in the worst position he has ever been in, even as Zero. Kallen quickly scrubbed clean before stepping out of the bath. She really shouldn't be relaxing when Lelouch was in trouble anyway.

She was his knight after all. She needed to protect him and that just what she would do. Kallen quickly dressed as she grabbed the black bottle before going to pack.

Anya walked through the halls of Ashford Academy wearing a goofy looking pink heart hat. They had never told her what it was for, they just gave it to her when she was roaming around for Gino.

She bumped into a tall guy with hair as black as Karrens. She quickly apologized and kept on her way somehow feeling like he was looking at her. When she turned around though he was gone so she kept walking.

The school was enormous and it would be difficult to find Gino, especially if he was in class. She was almost going to give up before suddenly the speakers all around the school turned on. "This is Milly Ashford everyone! Now im sure your all wondering what the hats are for, well since it is Valentine's day we are going to have a very special event! Anybody who trades hats whether willingly or by force will become boyfriend/girlfriend! Also whoever brings me Lelouch Lamprouge's hat gets a very special prize!"

Suddenly Anya heard screaming from all around the school at the mention of that name. The ground started shaking as that boy she bumped into before ran by. Suddenly an army of what seemed like hundreds of girls ran past her chasing him.

Anya had a big question mark above her head wondering if this was a good day to try and find Gino or a bad one.

She kept walking with a straight face as everyone started to run around everywhere. Some people traded hats willingly but others simply grabbed them off people's heads. Anya grabbed her own hat and firmly held onto it so no one would try to take it. She wasn't a student here but she didn't want to deal with the hassle.

She had seen several girls chasing boys or several boys chasing girls. It was relentless. One of them however caught her eye, it was a group of girls desperately trying to catch Gino. He was smiling and laughing as he kept waving at the group of females trying to catch him.

Perhaps it was a bad day to try, she would never be able to get Gino alone, not with the girls chasing him. He was running all over the place, almost in a circle. He was in an open grassy field. Anya leaned on the stairs looking out at him wondering if this was a bad idea.

Gino was having far too much fun to notice her so she leaned against the railing and sighed.

Some of the girls tried to trap him and the only opening was near Anya so he ran over there.

Anya wondered if this was possibly her chance. As Gino was about to run up the stairs she was on he quickly darted beside it mistaking her for another one of his fan girls. She didn't want to lose this chance so she quickly leaned on the railing and grabbed his hat as he ran by.

Gino stopped and noticed his hat was gone as he turned around and noticed the short black haired girl.

"Awww come on the freshman got it really!"

"Can I pay you to give it to me?"

"No no give it to me!"

All the girls started to crowed around Anya which made her feel claustrophobic before Gino finally arrived.

"Girls girls please calm down. She got it so don't try and harass her for it" The girls all seemed to huss a fit before the group started to disperse looking for more guys to go after.

Anya looked at Gino who still held a friendly smile. "So whats your..." He looked at her noticing her face and eyes. "Anya?"

"Can we talk?" Anya held Gino's hat close to her hoping it would deter the girls and give the two knights some space.

Gino looked confused but nodded as the two walked off into the school. Anya was nervous, not because she was scared he would turn on her but because she was afraid he would see her as a traitor as well. When they were far enough away to have a private conversation Gino spoke. "So why are you here?"

Anya looked at him as she leaned against the wall still hugging the giant blue heart hat. "I just need to talk to you"

Gino looked confused as he also leaned against the wall with her. He didn't hate her but he had hundreds of questions going through his mind. "What about the Black Knights?"

Anya looked down at the hat showing no emotion as her usual custom but he could tell she was in deep thought. "That's actually the issue"

"What's wrong?" He was glad Suzaku was looking after Karren, he had never gotten to speak with her ever since apparently four guards committed suicide in protest but it at least kept Suzaku from going after Anya.

Anya didn't speak as she slid down on the wall until she was sitting, leaning on it. "I don't know. I don't want to betray Britannia but I don't want to fight them. The Black Knights aren't evil in my mind"

Gino sat down also trying hard to at least get her to look at him, he didn't hate her in the slightest for being there but he was confused. "Are you just going to be neutral then?"

Anya looked up at him with a blank stare, it was so hard to get any emotion out of her, maybe this time he would see the real her. "No. If I do then things will go as they are. Badly"

Gino didn't respond thinking over her dilemma and could definitely see the issue. Ether she fought the Black Knights or she fought Britannia. If she didn't choose then it would only hurt her more. "What should I do?"

Gino kept his eyes on her with a serious face. He was fun and goofy most of the time but this was a serious subject. As a Knight the obvious thing to do was say join Britannia. But as a friend that seemed like he was making her do all the evil again. He admitted that what they did was sometimes wrong but somehow Anya had seen more than him. To give her an actual answer would be impossible. "I honestly don't know"

He looked up at the sky as Anya reverted back to looking at the blue hat on her lap. After what seemed like several minutes of silence Anya decided to change the subject. "How is Karren?"

Gino looked over at her wondering why she would ask, maybe they were friends? Maybe that was why it was so hard for her. He didn't want to lie to her, so he decided to give the grim truth. "She's bond to a chair in the most secure cell. She... hasn't been treated very well"

Anya kept quiet in wondering over the state of the girl. If she was back the least she would do is give her some accommodations because of what she did for her. Anya had free roam, while Karren was strapped down in a cell. She didn't want that for the girl, out of everyone there she didn't deserve to be prisoner. Not after what she had seen about Project Ascension. "I don't suppose I could trade myself for her?"

Gino looked back at her wondering what she was saying. She was willing to trade herself for a girl they barely know. Maybe something did happen during her capture to change her view about them. Gino looked at her as she looked back, their eyes digging into each other's soul looking for the answer to the others question. "After four guards died, I doubt it."

Gino was fairly serious when he said that which made it more confusing when Anya actually gave a quick laugh. It came as quickly as it went as she looked straight ahead placing her chin on the blue hat. "That's so like her. She doesn't like racists and oppressors."

Gino was deeply confused about why she said that, all the guards had committed suicide, and Karren was strapped down, she couldn't have done anything to them. But what was even more interesting was how Anya spoke of her like she was close, perhaps that actually was it. "You know her well?"

"Yes, she was the reason I saw what our nation had done and was doing" Anya kept looking forward, deep in thought as Gino kept just staring at her.

"So you want to join the Black Knights?" That question caught her off guard as she whirled her head around looking into his eyes. She remained silent until she lowered her head again.

"I want to but..." She didn't complete her sentence as she didn't want to. Gino didn't know what she was going through. He doesn't see what Zero is doing as good. He knew there were a few in the Black Knights who were probably good and a few in Britannia that were bad but he could tell she saw them differently.

"What do I do?" It was the question she had asked him earlier, to choose. Black Knights or Britannia. Her own nation or terrorists. He didn't see what she saw so he couldn't really tell. If he told her to join Britannia she would most likely be forced into fighting the Black Knights. But if she joined the Black Knights then she would be forced to fight her own nation and past friends. It must have been an awful choice.

"Follow your heart" It sounded cheesy afterwards but Anya didn't say anything as she thought about it. She was told something similar once, and really her heart just couldn't decide.

I promise to do all I can to help return your memories. That promise, that one promise was huge. It could be a wild goose chase but If it really was the Emperor and she returned to him, she may never get the answers, he may whip her memory again. But if it wasn't him Karren still promised to help. And somehow she felt Karren wasn't lying about that promise. Gino couldn't decide for her, so she would have to find the answer on her own. But at least she had gotten to talk to him before the decision.

"Thank you" Anya got up as Gino simply sat there and watched as she left, leaving the blue hat he had worn behind.

Kallen walked into the command center of the OSI underneath the school as she had just caught word that Milly was making everyone hunt down Lelouch. It was actually devilishly clever but also cruel to the boy, he wasn't fit to keep running. She looked over at the geassed Villetta who had a frown as soon as she set eyes on her but it quickly returned to one of no emotion and apathy.

Kallen took no notice of it as Sayoko stepped out from a back room dressed in the boys uniform with the holo-mask in her hand. "You're going to switch places?" Sayoko looked over at her and nodded before taking quick notice of what she was wearing. Kallen had on the girls uniform, short skirt and all but her hair was black. She looked a lot like Karren except for the eyes.

Sayoko really didn't know what to say as she was quickly thinking if they were closer related then what Lelouch had said. They could have been twins in anyone else's mind. As Sayoko walked by about to put on the mask Kallen grabbed it from her hand as she sat down in front of the monitor. "Um miss Kallen?

"Don't let Lelouch cheat himself out of this one" She looked at the monitors following along as Lelouch was getting attacked from almost every person at school.

"But I had caused it. I should be the one who..."

"Lelouch could use a run. Go and relax, I'll keep him alive." Kallen picked up the headset that would have connected Sayoko to Lelouch. It probably wasn't the smartest idea keeping them from switching but she wanted to see him squirm for once. Sayoko sighed as she sat behind Kallen watching Lelouch run.

Kallen turned on the headset as she began to think this must be what Lelouch has to do at every battle. "Turn left next, there's two girl on the right."

"Kallen? What are you?" He said as he ran left as the female crowd chased after him. He had an earpiece on so he could talk and run at the same time.

"I'm helping" Kallen had a devilish grin on her face as she kept up with him on the monitors.

"Get Sayoko to switch already"

"No can do. Go to the classroom on your right quick." Lelouch staggered through the door as people came from where he was about to go to.

"Kallen I can't do this... forever... you know" He was panting and soon her heard everyone reference the room he was hiding in.

"You could use the work out. Now go out the window and head left."

"Q-1!" He hopped out the open window and ran as the crowd burst into the classroom looking for him.

"I'm sorry Lelouch I only follow Zero's orders" She smirked as he kept running, it probably was cruel but he deserved it after all the things he had her do when she went to school.

"Kallen I swear ill..."

"Go left, you got the football team on the right."

He did as he was told as he football team chased after him, he was running for his life.

"Kallen.. Can... You... Please... Get... Sayoko... now..." He was panting hard as he ran through Ashford.

Kallen looked back at Sayoko sitting behind her watching the monitors. "I don't know where she is at sorry" She grinned and turned back with a grin as she and Milly directed the pieces. It was like chess, she could never beat Lelouch but with Milly she had a chance.

"Kallen did I do something wrong?"

"Maybe, maybe not. Now go right and hide in the classroom to your right."

He did as she said and waited for the football team to go by, catching his breath quickly.

"Then why are you not helping me?" He panted some before opening the door and going away from where he hears people yelling.

"I'm not helping?" Kallen raised an eyebrow as she continued to monitor Lelouch and his progress.

"Well yes but..." Lelouch sighed knowing if he tried to fight back she would win most likely, he was good with strategy, not women.

"Fine head for the library secret entrance" Kallen got up and rather forcefully yanked down the fire alarm making water spray all the students around the school as sirens went crazy.

"Kallen, you could have been more subtle" or at least waited until I was not in a position to get soaked!

Lelouch was dripping wet as the sprinklers kept going. He lazily made his way to the library as alarms blared, not realizing someone was following him.

"I'm going to borrow that" Kallen said as she picked up the zombiefied miss Villetta's pink heart hat and headed towards the elevator. Sayoko looked at her in confusion before smiling and nodding, getting what she was doing.

Lelouch looked around him making sure no student was nearby as he entered the library. The sprinklers had long stopped and the library was surprisingly dry. Lelouch however was soaking wet, his clothes stuck to his body and he desperately wanted to change then have Kallen run laps for a 'mission'. Although the girl was far more athletic than him so she could probably do it.

He approached the small alley of books as he checked again for anyone else, he didn't get this far just to have his secret blown, although he could just geass them to forget. He heard the bookcase start to slide away as the secret elevator was revealed.

The doors open and Lelouch's eyes showed all the surprise in the world when Karren had stepped out wearing one of the girls school uniforms. "Karren?" He may have said it a little loud but they were alone. She nodded a no which intrigued Lelouch before noticing the eyes were a cool blue, not purple. "Kallen" He smiled at how she looked cute, but the hair may have been a bit far.

"Happy to see me?" She grinned as she noticed he was soaking wet from head to toe. He probably would get payback on her sooner or later. He may have put her through a lot when she went to school but she had to admit she may have overdid it.

"Ask me after we are even" He grinned and so did she. It was fun messing with each other outside the battlefield, although if and when Karren gets freed. Whoever has her will be at an advantage.

"Can't take a joke?"

"I can't see how it is funny. Besides it's not likely Milly will stop looking for me because of a few sprinklers."

Kallen grinned and walked up closer to him. He didn't back away but they were within a foot of each other simply looking into each other's eyes. She grinned a mischievous grin then quickly took off his hat, replacing it with her own. "There, problem solved." She put on his blue hat as he grined at what she was getting at.

He had to admit he liked Kallen, despite pushing her away at first she kept coming back to him. A queen always standing beside the king. He didn't push her away that second time they had kissed, out of respect for Karren and the fact that maybe he could be happy. It didn't seem like she would ever oppose or turn on him. She was after all his Q-1. "Turning this towards your own advantage Q-1?"

"It's your advantage too. Unless of course you want to keep running" She grinned evilly as he grinned back, if he backed out he would end up with a random person, or even worse a gay guy.

"I never implied that"

"Good" she said interrupting him.

She quickly put her arms around his neck giving him a light peck on the cheek. He put his arms around her small waste as she seemed content to stare into his deep amethyst eyes. Her shirt touched his soaking one but she didn't seem to mind or care, the heat she was giving off very inviting. She gave him a friendly light kiss to his lips, then another, then another.

Soon he began to return them as the kisses became more. Longer, more passion, more want. He heard a noise but quickly through it from his mind as they continued to kiss, her body pressing against his. They both closed their eyes enjoying the quick moment to be with each other as the kiss grew more intense. Her arms tightened against his neck as his tightened against her waste, nether wanting to be separated or break the dream they were in.

Both their minds were filled with only the thought of each other as they battled to dominate the other in the sensual kiss. They resisted the urge to breath, not wanting even the slightest thing to separate them from this.

All to soon as it began they finally separated for what seemed like a lovely eternity as they both took a breath after their little adventure. they both smiled and Kallen could recognize that smile he wore was genuine, not a mask, not a lie. He really was smiling, he really did care for her, maybe even more than before.

Nether spoke for a while as they stood looking into each other's souls. The coldness from his wet clothes reminded him though of the current situation, despite him wanting to stay here for a while, that would put everything at risk. "I had better go"

She frowned slightly but nodded in understanding as they both released the other from the embrace. "I guess I will see you later?" It was awkward, but she knew she didn't have to worry. Lelouch would understand, somehow he always did understand her. Knowing her soul, even before Karren came. It just made him all the more alluring.

He nodded a yes as he walked away heading towards the front of the school still wearing the pink hat Kallen had switched with him. It would at the very least, keep Milly off of his back. Kallen smiled as he walked away before turning to go back into the elevator. The doors closed quietly as she gave a deep breathe.

"If only she could see us now"

Shirley walked through the halls desperately looking for Lelouch. This was her chance, her big chance to be with him. Milly had made this entire event for them she suspected, but if someone else got to Lelouch it would all go to waste. She looked left and right running frantically, Milly said that Lelouch was around here somewhere.

As she turned a corner she saw Lelouch exit a classroom. She frantically hid by the wall peering out wanting to catch him by surprise, unfortunately he began to walk away from her. She could hear him panting, even from the distance she kept. she could hear him talking but couldn't make out the words. Most likely cursing Milly for making him run so hard, poor Lulu.

Suddenly the fire alarm screamed out and all the sprinklers went off. Shirley didn't speak, merely wondering why this was happening. She was soaking wet in her uniform making her want to leave and change before some perverted boy came but if she did she would lose him. She kept silent as her long hair stuck to her check and clothes while she silently followed Lelouch.

After a while the sprinklers quit leaving a soaking Shirley and Lelouch. Water dripped down her long orange hair as she kept an eye on the boy. This was her chance, he was headed to the library, there were so few of exits and no classrooms for him to lock himself in. This was her chance.

She followed him, darting behind book shelves and tables, avoiding his peering eyes that looked back every now and again. He headed to an alley of books that she knew was a dead end.

Finally after so long!

"Karren?"

Wait what?

She peered over the edge and noticed a girl in front of Lelouch. She had on a uniform but Lelouch was blocking the face and body so she couldn't tell who it was. Lelouch had said it was Karren, but she couldn't remember who that was. She saw spikey black hair from the edges that Lelouchs shoulders blocked. Pink hat neatly visible.

They spoke but just quite enough so she couldn't hear. Shirley leaned back against the shelf hiding herself away to think.

Maybe I should just gun for his hat. If she gets it, him and I will...

Shirley straightened up squeezing her fists in determination. She could do this, it was Lelouch and her. That's what this whole event was for, that's how it will end.

She took a deep sigh and looked over again ready to run and grab his hat before catching a sight she never had dreamed to see. Lelouch and the girl had switched hats and were kissing, no more than that, making out! That moment Shirley's mind froze as she screamed in her head. Her mouth opened to scream but she quickly covered it up with her hands.

She darted behind the shelf again still covering her mouth. Lelouch... Lelouch is... But I...

The young schoolgirls mind was a jumble of thoughts as she tried and failed to process what she had seen. She didn't dare breath, only hoping this was some sort of dream and soon she would wake up.

She peered over again as Lelouch and the girl said their goodbyes and he started to turn towards her. Shirley darted behind the shelf again as Lelouch walked past her with the girls pink hat on.

The girl didn't follow, which she oddly enough thought of murdering at the moment. She watched as Lelouch walked away and soon out the door of the library.

Shirley squeezed her hands white with determination. No Lelouch is mine!

She stomped over towards the alley of books to confront the black haired girl until she stopped in her tracks, seeing no one.

"Wait? But she?"

Shirley had a deeply confused face on, wondering if the girl had walked away while she was looking at Lelouch. She looked all around and found nothing.

It was over, she had lost him. She sighed deeply in defeat.

"Lulu..."

She held her head low as she headed after Lelouch to at least see who the mysterious girl was. He had gone out with so many girls suddenly, and had even kissed her. Maybe it was just another one of them, another good time. She never thought Lelouch would ever do something like that.

But even after everything she couldn't bear the thought of hating him.

Lelouch casually and coolly walked out of the main building into the refreshing sun. It warmed him from the wet clothes, but he would definitely need to change soon. A crowd had gathered, not to catch him but to see who had caught him since he wore a bright pink hat.

Milly shoved and pushed her way through the crowd, even knocking over Rivalz as she finally came to the front.

"So who's the lucky winner!" She chipped with a mischievous smile on her face. She loved messing with him, well she messed with everyone.

Lelouch looked awkward at that question as he noticed she was staring at his pink hat he wore. Shirley had dragged herself to the edge of the crowd, listening intently on who it was.

Lelouch looked back in forth, taking notice of Kallen and Anya with their new black hair standing by the wall to his far left. No one had noticed the two it seemed, but they both noticed him. He looked through the entire crowd throwing Milly off for who exactly it was.

"Well we decided to keep it secret." It was the best thing to say at the time. Not letting his secret loose, not putting himself in danger, and not getting beat up by Kallen later in the day.

"That's no fair though! You have to tell us who!"

"Madam prez. I followed the rules, you have to also" He grinned that victorious grin as Milly quit pouting and smiled. She knew Lelouch was smart enough not to simply steal a hat. Still not knowing the juicy gossip did bother her, it wouldn't consume her.

"I suppose so"

"Madam prez. Thank you for a wonderful year" Milly suddenly heard cheering behind her, it looked like half the entire school had gathered behind her. She heard various yells and applauses, several thanking her for all the festivals.

Milly grinned, happy that she had done so much in all the years she was here.

"Well then I guess I'm ready for the real world." She tossed her hat in the air as did everyone save for Lelouch, Kallen, Anya, Gino and Shirley.

As everyone cheered and clapped Lelouch looked at Kallen who was smiling, at least she got to see this even if she wasn't allowed to come here anymore. She nodded before turning away with Anya.

"Who was that boy?" Anya looked up at Kallens hat which was blue, she was fairly sure he had looked at them. Maybe it was Kallens secret love.

"A friend" Kallen smirked with soft blue eyes gazing out.

Shirley looked over at what Lelouch was looking at as he saw the same black spikey haired girl turn and walk away with Lelouch's blue hat. Before she could run after her she had turned the corner and disappeared. Shirley pouted as she thought of what to do next.

Her life was turning into hell all of a sudden, she decided it's probably best just to relax at home for now. She turned and walked away as Lelouch did also.

The Academy was full of cheers despite what was to come.

Lelouch sat quietly in the empty OSI communication center, tapping his black king piece against the table. He looked at the monitor which held the train routes, he had an eccentric plan to shut down the entire cities sakuradite supply in one foul swoop. It would be the greatest chance then to take over when the UFN was finally made.

He looked over at the several pictures of the Viceroys palace. Nunnally and Karren were there. He had to rescue them both, he had a plan, daring as ever. But it would work, it had to. For Nunnallys sake.

Suddenly Lelouchs phone started to ring. He scowled wondering who would try calling him during his planning, he looked at the caller id, seeing it was Shirley. The girl most certainly must be heartbroken, but he had Kallen, someone who knew both of his sides. His Q-1.

He flipped open the phone going to his lazy, carefree school tone.

"Shirley what do you need?"

Shirley walked through the streets in the cold ran with an umbrella on her head. She had just got done shopping but the results of the event still depressed her, she didn't even really know why she was calling.

"Oh nothing. I was just wondering if you saw Madam prez on the t.v."

Lelouch looked behind him at a screen that was muted, showing Milly. Perky as ever forecasting the news while holding an umbrella.

"Yah, looks like she's found her calling."

Shirley looked to her right and saw her on several t.v.'s as she walked by them. She smiled a sad smile knowing she wouldn't get to see her every day now. She turned back to in front of her seeing the site of a couple kissing under an umbrella. It broke her heart knowing she had lost her chance with Lelouch.

Images of what she saw filled her mind, the spikey black hair sticking out but her face being blocked. The pink hat, the uniform. The site of the girl walking away while everyone was cheering. Shirley tried her best to keep from crying until the question of who it was bugged her to no end.

"Shirley you there?"

Shirley was brought back into reality at his voice but now she was determined to know.

"Lelouch who was that you ki..."

Suddenly a blue sphere consumed the area that no one noticed as it appeared and disappeared quickly. Shirley stopped mid-sentence as red rings began to flicker around her eyes. Images upon images of events from last year flooded her mind. The strange white haired man, a sweet little girl in a wheelchair, and then the worst of all.

Shirley's hand loosened as the phone fell from her grasp without her caring.

"Shirley?" Lelouch said as the phone fell before breaking on the sidewalk and shorting out in a puddle.

Shirley's memories quickly flooded her, horrible, dark memories. And the people in it all the too familiar.

"Lelouch... Lelouch killed my father..."