Author's Notes: Sooo… Remember when I said I wouldn't be back till New Year's? I sorta lied… a few of my big commitments have been cancelled, so I have some time to write. It won't be as often as over the summer, but it's something ^.^ I can't even put in words how glad I am to be able to continue writing :).
As this is my main fic, I can estimate that I'll be updating at least every other week, though at least once a week is much more likely. I like the idea of making this a weekly thing ^.^
On a sorta side note, I find it pretty cool that I'm announcing this on Sept. 28th, the day the Japanese R2 ended (and thus the assumed day of the Zero Requiem and Lelouch's 'death') ^.^
I'm going to try (not saying I'll be at all successful) to cut down on my long author notes, so without further ado…
Enjoy!
" " for dialogue
Italics for thought (or stress when just a word or two)
Mask 11: Arthur
It was dark, furry, and had a peculiar object around its head. With a high-pitched cry, Lelouch vi Britannia realized what that 'peculiar object' was.
It was Lei's black mask.
"Meow."
The cat walked out the window.
Fuck. Lelouch tried to stay in control of himself as he ran to the window.
The cat was walking on a small ledge that ran across the building's walls.
"Minoru,"
Practically before the prince had called his name, the white-clothed Guard started to climb out the window. He was almost at the cat, when a voice called from the open doorway.
"What are you looking outside for, Lelouch?"
Quickly, Lelouch and his remaining Guards turned. In the doorway was Cornelia and Euphemia li Britannia. Automatically donning a polite smile, he said, "Nothing, Sister."
"Oh really?" Suspicious, Cornelia walked over to the open window. Lelouch and his Guards simultaneously held their breaths as she looked outside.
Sometimes, Minoru Takahashi felt he'd lost touch with reality. So much of being Lelouch's guard was irregular and unexpected, so Minoru wouldn't actually have been surprised to wake up any moment now. He'd certainly never had imagined being stuck in his current situation a few months ago, back when he was just a normal foot soldier.
His right hand was grasping at a cold, stone ledge, while the other held a cat with a black mask on its head. Add the fact that falling would almost certainly mean death, that one suspicious princess was looking out the window just one floor above you, and that he needed to somehow stay silent enough to avoid attracting attention…
Yup, this was a situation the former Japanese terrorist had never seen coming when he agreed to join Lelouch's Royal Guard.
Gritting his teeth, he carefully put the cat on his right shoulder. Then, he lifted his freed left hand onto the ledge, slightly relieving the strain on his outstretched right hand. As he winced, he grimly recalled exactly why his right hand hurt so much…
He had just scooped up the cat, when he suddenly heard the Witch of Britannia speak, announcing her presence. Then, hearing a good deal of motion inside the building, Minoru had, without thinking, jumped down to the ledge just a floor below. He'd missed, just barely grabbing the ledge with his right hand.
Even with both hands extended, his right arm still felt sore. Still, Minoru didn't dare get up from below the ledge, afraid he'd catch the princess's attention. He avoided dropping down for the same reason. Instead, he simply did his best to remain motionless.
Despite that, there was soon motion on Minoru's right shoulder. As a tail swept by Minoru's face, he was glad he was wearing a mask. If not, he'd probably have sneezed. However, the Japanese teenager soon realized that wasn't the only problem he was facing.
With a feeling of dread, Minoru felt a certain furry creature creep up his right arm. Unable to move for fear of being noticed, he could only watch helplessly as the cat walked onto the ledge, black mask still around its head. Soon it disappeared into an open window.
Thus, Minoru felt only slight relief when Cornelia withdrew her head from the window. Cautiously, he slowly lifted himself back up.
"I guess there wasn't really anything special out there after all."
Inwardly, Lelouch sighed in relief. Whatever Minoru had done, he'd done it well. "Of course. If you'd let me explain-"
"Still," Cornelia interrupted, slowly turning to face Lelouch. "That doesn't excuse the fact that you were acting suspicious." She eyed the masked Guards, knowing their true nationalities. "Or the fact that you were standing so close to these people."
Lelouch took the opportunity to change the topic. "They're my Guard. Of course they'd be staying close to me."
After staring suspiciously at her half-brother for a while longer, she slowly made her way back to her knight, who was waiting with Euphemia. "If you say so. Just don't forget that you are under my control. Don't even think of pulling stunts like you did in the Middle East."
Lelouch smiled. "I wouldn't dream of it."
The prince waited a few moments before motioning Rafael to close the door. Then he turned to look out the window. Only slightly surprised, he found that he couldn't find the Japanese guard.
"Minoru?"
"Down here."
Lelouch looked down.
Sure enough, partially obscured by the window ledge, Minoru stood, hands placed cautiously around one side of the open window below. For a moment, Lelouch relaxed. Then…
"Where's the cat?"
Face turning grim, Minoru gestured at a nearby, open window. "It ran away while I was hiding."
So it's just running around inside with Lei's mask on. Silently cursing, Lelouch turned to the rest of the Guard. I just cleared the suspicion about the masks. If Lei's black mask is found… "Lei, go help Minoru chase the cat."
"Emeka, remotely activate the fire alarm, then hack the security cameras. Everyone else, follow me."
As Hazel picked up Lelouch's suitcase, Lelouch, flanked by Rafael and the Korean, walked out into the hallway, face donning a calm, unconcerned look. Privately, Rafael wondered how the prince changed expressions so smoothly. Did he not realize the seriousness of the issue?
"Lelouch, I'm done. Alarm triggering in 3, 2, 1…"
"Zero." muttered Lelouch, slightly amused. Everything went to Zero, in the end. He increased his pace only marginally as a loud alarm sounded throughout the building.
Luckily, they were only in the residential wing of the Administrative Complex. Separate from the Government Building, it was a great deal smaller than the main building. This meant relaxed security and less people. Indeed, despite the cry of surprise here and there, the few occupants of the building made their way calmly to the exit. Soon the building would be empty.
At least, that was the theory.
With a sigh, Diethard picked up a small case. He'd brought a portable camera just in case he'd run into a key opportunity for unexpected stories, but it looked like he had no such luck…
Walking in the hallway, Diethard was mildly surprised by the sudden ring of the fire alarm. Fires weren't common in the Administrative Complex… Then, the blonde man saw something that made him stop in his tracks.
At the intersection of two hallways stood a white-clothed figure, his back turned towards the reporter.
Kira? But shouldn't he be with Prince Lelouch… Then a second figure came into view. Blackheart? There's no doubt it's them, but… Diethard quietly listened as snatches of conversation reached him.
"Can't find…"
"Where… damn cat!"
Cat? There's a fire and they're worried about a silly cat? Diethard's reporter's intuition kicked in. After the two figures had split up, going opposite ways, Diethard turned on his radio. "Attention all Area 11 News crew members, look out for a certain cat…"
What's Lelouch planning?
Despite having left him alone, Cornelia was still quite suspicious of her half-brother's actions.
Then the fire alarm went off.
Lelouch? Although she had no solid support, Cornelia had a hunch that the sudden, rare alarm had to do with whatever Lelouch had been watching from his window…
"Your Highness!"
The Witch of Britannia glanced at the speaker and considered ignoring him. Great, the media. What is it now?
As Cornelia had neither accepted nor denied Diethard's existence, the reporter risked getting close to the princess. He was stopped a few feet away by a certain black-haired knight. "Her Highness does not wish to have an interview at this time." cautioned Guilford.
Diethard smiled. "That is a wish I can respect. However…" He turned to face Cornelia. "I was simply wondering if Her Highness knew anything about Lelouch's cat."
Cornelia was perplexed. "Lelouch's… cat?" Is that a code word for something? Knowing how cold Lelouch could be, Cornelia simply couldn't imagine her half-brother… raising a cat.
"Lelouch's cat?" repeated a certain higher-pitched voice. However, this time the voice was filled with delighted surprise, not cautious suspicion. "Why hasn't he told us that he's raising a cat?" Euphemia was positively delighted.
Diethard pretended to look disbelieving. "Your Highnesses! You both had no idea? The entire building's in an uproar because of it. Some think that Lelouch himself pulled the fire alarm in order to clear the building for searching! I myself saw his trusted Guards running around, looking for a cat." Of course, the first few statements were slight exaggerations, but, with a high-pitched alarm irritating everyone, it wasn't hard to make them sound plausible.
Cornelia frowned. There was no way that Lelouch was causing such a ruckus for some silly cat…
"Guildford, alert all security personnel to find and bring Lelouch to me. His Guards as well!"
Diethard smiled. Just follow Cornelia and he'd end up with either a stunning story or interesting battle between royalty… A win-win situation for one blonde reporter.
Minoru sighed. "Where is that damn cat?"
Then he felt a tap on the shoulder. Looking behind him, he saw two guards. "You are Kira, correct?"
Dumbly, Minoru nodded, his white mask bobbing slightly.
"I apologize, but you're going to need to come with us."
"Lelouch."
Lelouch vi Britannia stopped as he heard Minoru's voice, Rafael and Hazel following suit. "What's the matter?"
Minoru's voice sounded strained. "The guards, they caught me."
Lelouch's breathing stopped. "Caught you? As in found out who you are?"
"No, my mask's still on, but apparently they have orders from 'Her Highness' to detain me and bring me to her. The same goes for you and the rest, apparently."
At the word 'No', Lelouch had managed to remember how to breathe. Now he almost forgot.
Has she found Lei's mask?
Minoru added, "Oh, and they're looking for the cat, too."
Lelouch wasn't sure if he was relieved or terrified.
"Your Highness!"
Okay, now he was terrified.
Lelouch turned to look behind him. Walking down the hallway were three guards. Lelouch rubbed his temples. "Emeka, you have control of the cameras now, correct?"
"Yeah…"
Lelouch sighed. He hated running...
"On top of looking for the cat, make sure we don't run into anymore guards."
"Anymore? What do you mean?"
Without warning, Lelouch burst into a run. He ignored the surprised calls of the guards behind him, slightly reassured that he was being escorted by Rafael and Hazel. But…
If Cornelia finds the mask, everything's over!
Emeka was sweating slightly, mouse clicking furiously on his laptop. "Lelouch, make a right at the second intersection."
"Lei, there are two guards making their way behind you. Take a left, then a right…"
"Lelouch, I've found the cat. It's on the fifth floor. The stairwell to your left is clear."
"Lei, the quickest way is the stairwell on your right, seven doors down."
Emeka sighed as he momentarily stretched his aching hands. "Do these guys realize how hard it is to track every moving being in the building? And on a laptop?"
His complaints were interrupted by a rap on the door. "Open the door."
For a while, Emeka entertained the idea of mimicking Minoru and Lei. However, jumping out a window, hoping to hit the ledge below, wasn't something Emeka considered a perfect escape plan. Instead, he remotely turned off the fire alarm and prepared a little entertainment for his unwelcome guests.
"The guards are here, boss."
Out of breath, Lelouch didn't bother to respond. To his utter embarrassment, he'd ended up being carried by Rafael down the stairs. The jolting steps threatened to fracture Lelouch's teeth, but his pride refused to let him complain.
Emeka continued, "They're getting a key to the room as we speak, so I'm going to have to leave you guys final directions…"
"Lelouch, or rather, Rafael, when you're on the fifth floor, turn left and make your way to the north side of the building. Lei will need to do the same, only she'll have to move right to get there. Good luck."
Cornelia tapped her foot impatiently as a guard came running, out of breath. Taking the key, Cornelia unlocked the room Lelouch had been using.
"Lelouch! Come out immed-" Cornelia, and her companions, froze in shock.
Sitting on the floor was a white-clothed man. Going by the codename Nighthawk, the man had three white spikes at the top of his helmet. He, at least originally, looked similar to a white Knight in chess.
But that wasn't the stunning part.
Laptop on, headphones on, the man was singing along to some song. Faint music could be heard through the blasting headset. The white mask was bobbing comically up and down.
"Just, step it up, STEP IT U-*" The figure turned around, apparently just realizing he had visitors.
"Geez, can't you guys knock?"
While Guilford looked scandalized, and Euphemia happily noted, "You seem to sing very well, Mister Nighthawk."
If the pink-haired princess hadn't been there, Cornelia may have used her gun. Murder was acceptable for most Britannian princesses…
Behind them all, Minoru was glad he had his mask on, soundproofing installed. It muffled his chuckles extremely well.
Only Emeka would. Only Emeka
"There you are!"
Lei ran at the window, where the cat had decided to walk outside.
"Not so fast!"
Lei let out a sigh of relief as she finally caught a hold of the troublesome cat. She retrieved her mask from the pesky animal.
"Good… going, Lei."
The Chinese teenager turned to see a very tired Rafael, kneel down, at which point Lelouch got off his back with an embarrassed cough. "Indeed, good job, Lei."
Lei beamed as she handed her mask to Hazel. The Korean then opened Lelouch's suitcase and put it inside.
"Lelouch!"
Lelouch took the suitcase as he turned to smile at his half-sister. "What is it, Cornelia?"
"What do you mean, what?" Cornelia was practically fuming. In the background, Diethard was filming with his camera. Here it comes.
Lelouch smiled, as if hearing the reporter's thoughts. Then he made a fake sigh. "So you knew, didn't you?"
Cornelia nodded. It was so obvious that Lelouch was trying to hide something…
Lelouch motioned with his right hand. At Lei.
More specifically, what she was still carrying.
"Meow."
Cornelia wasn't the only one confused. But suddenly, Euphemia made a cry of delight, "It's Arthur!"
Lelouch made a genuine smile. Even better. "Cornelia, you know how long Euphie's wanted a pet. I'd planned on waiting until its leg was better, but I thought this cat would be a good companion for her."
Euphemia smiled at Lelouch. "Truly, Lelouch? That's great, isn't it, Cornelia?"
Damn it, Cornelia gritted her teeth. How was she supposed to say 'no' to her precious younger sister? "If Lelouch has gone this far already…" She grudgingly gave her consent.
Suddelny, eyeing Lelouch's suitcase, Cornelia allowed herself a smile. "HOWEVER, I'm more curious as to what exactly Lelouch is holding in that suitcase there."
To Cornelia's surprise, Lelouch smiled. "Of course, Sister." The prince swung the case in front of him, holding it horizontally.
Diethard quietly zoomed in on the piece of baggage in question. Finally...
Slowly, Lelouch opened it. And inside was…
A laptop.
One Hour Later
Lelouch's Limousine
"That was a close one." noted Rafael. The rest of the Guard nodded in agreement. He may have been just imagining it, but Emeka thought he saw Lelouch also give a slight nod.
Lelouch then turned to the African. "Emeka, about that reporter…"
Emeka gave off an impish smile.
"Taken care of."
"So, Diethard…" The cameraman tried to sound respectful. "Why exactly did you have us search for a cat during a fire drill?"
In turn, Diethard tried to avoid looking smug. "The fire drill was a fake, triggered by Prince Lelouch. I was with the Princesses, looking for Lelouch's crazy Guards." He smirked as he remembered a certain man called Nighthawk. Diethard considered himself lucky to be able to have recorded it.
"What's so funny?"
Diethard shook his head as he hooked up his camera with their news van. "Here, let me show you."
All of a sudden, the screens went blank. After a few moments, music started to play, and bold white words showed up. This is what they said:
Just, step it up, STEP IT UP!
-NH
NH, NightHawk…
So that's that! This was meant to be a relatively relaxed chapter, telling you all that I'm back earlier than expected, woot! So yeah, expect almost weekly updates of chaps like the ones I've published till now ^.^
After much deliberation, I've decided that Lelouch won't get a geass… yet. The reason is simply because, at the moment, I've written up two full-length plot storylines, one with him getting Absolute Obedience and one without. Quite frankly, the one without geass is much more interesting, in my opinion ^.^ Of course, geass still exists, so it's not impossible he gets it later…
Also, I haven't talked much about my OC's physical attributes. I did this because I wanted to leave a good amount of it up to your imagination. Now I wanna ask:
What do YOU think my OC's (should) look like?
Of course, I've already set some characteristics, but those are changeable ^^. Just tell me what you think, and, if I like it, I'll set your description(s) as "facts's". Describe one aspect or everything; I'm simply doing this out of curiosity! Oh, and plz PM your responses, it'll be easier to keep track that way.
Next chapter will be the start of a new "arc"! I don't normally classify my chaps into "arcs", but I don't know what else to call it xD
I bet you all wanna know what's going to happen with Kallen, the terrorists, and V.V.'s assassin? Be ready, as I've extended the anime Saitama Ghetto episode to an entire arc! (Of course, it won't all be about the battle itself, but what it is about? ^.^ Wait and see ^.^)
Thanks for reading and…
Don't forget to Review!
*Note: Happened to be listening to "Step" by KARA when I was writing, thus Emeka's very small line from the song. Korean-pop FTW!
EDIT: LOL, I'm looking back and remembering that I wrote that I was going to try to cut down on my author's notes… The problem is that I always ramble on and end up telling myself "Oh well, I'll shorten it next time."
Oh well, I'll shorten it next time. ^.^ (hopefully)