At last, this chapter is finally finished. Sorry it took so long but things have been getting busy at school lately with finals approaching. This was also a very difficult chapter to write as I had to do it in three seperate bursts of inspiration and then I had to change quite a bit of it later as I didn't like those parts. The next chapter is already in the works so you hopefully don't have to wait around as long.

"Sorry you have to sit here watching me do my homework."

It was a few days later and Suzaku was at the A.S.E.E.C base. As they were still analyzing the data collected from Shinjuku and the Orange Incident they only had him doing basic drills to collect more data to compare to what they already had.

Today was an off day and Suzaku was only around if they needed him. To pass the time he was catching up on all the school work he had with Cecile Croomy watching over him. Unlike most other Britannians he met, Miss Cecile didn't seem to dislike or hate him at all. In fact, she was quite kind and caring towards him.

Actually, now that Suzaku thought about it, nearly everyone in the A.S.E.E.C. was nice to him. It could be due to the fact that thanks to him they were able to get more work done now that they had a Devicer. Or, maybe it was because he was their Devicer that they were nice to him.

"Oh, don't worry about it" Cecile said, looking over at him from her own work. "You've never attended a regular school before so it can't be helped."

It was true. Before Japan's invasion, Suzaku had been taught by some of the best tutors his father could buy. After the invasion, education was pointless for an Eleven so he never went. This was the first time in seven years that he actually had a formal education and he had a lot of catching up to do.

"The guys on the Student Council are helping me the best they can, but it's still hard."

"I imagine, with what you told me is going on with the Council lately I'm not surprised. I'm guessing tutoring opportunities are a little rare right now?"

"Yeah…" Suzaku laughed, joined by Cecile. The best person to help him, his friend Lelouch, had been a little tied up the past couple of days thanks to Milly. It had started during the afternoon meeting of the Student Council the day Arthur was officially named….

Lelouch, Suzaku, Rivalz, Nina, and Nunnally were seated around the table, waiting for the girls to show up so they could start the meeting.

"What's taking them so long?" Lelouch asked. "Milly is never this late and neither is Shirley."

"Do you think something's happened to them?" Nunnally asked, a little worried.

Rivalz just leaned back in his chair, enjoying the leisure time. "My guess is Kallen got sick again and had to go home and now Madam President is dragging Shirley all over the campus trying to find her."

"And what about C.C.?"

"Getting pizza?" Rivalz supplied helpfully.

The door to the Council Room opened, but instead of the missing girls, Sayoko entered carrying a tray of orange slices.

"Thank-you Sayoko" Lelouch said as the maid placed the tray on the table.

"Of course Master Lelouch" the maid said happily. Something in the way she said it made Lelouch and Suzaku curious. She seemed way too happy about something and was giving Nunnally a strange look.

Before Lelouch could question Sayoko on her weird behavior, the door to the room opened again. This time, the missing girls entered. Immediately, Lelouch felt a chill go up his spine as he looked at the girls' faces. Milly and C.C. had predatory grins on, Kallen was smiling gleefully, and Shirley had a bright red face. Something was going on and Lelouch knew it spelled doom for him.

"Lelouch!" Milly practically shouted, slamming her hands on the table and making everyone jump. "The four of us are tired of you ignoring the fairer sex completely. We all agree that it is high time you got a girlfriend."

Lelouch was in shock. His mind was failing him, unable to do anything. Rivalz was laughing while Nunnally was bouncing excitedly.

"All four of us agree that it should be one of us. So, we're not going to stop until you agree to take one of us out on an actual date."

"Stop? Stop what?"

The gleam in Milly's eyes scared Lelouch. "Why, we're going to persuade you to choose us in any way we can. It'll be like a competition between me, Shirley, Kallen, and C.C. The prize, you of course. I hope you're prepared Lelouch, because none of us are going to hold back.

"As for the rest of you" Milly said, turning towards the rest of the Council. "You are not to interfere in any way. Encouragement is welcome but you cannot help Lelouch, understand?"

After receiving five nods, Milly turned around and face the three other girls. "Come on ladies, let us get ready. And Lelouch, you'll be seeing your girlfriends sooner than you think." The four left, giggling heavily.

When the door closed, Lelouch just sat in his chair, frozen, before his head fell forward on the table.

"I'm dead, aren't' I?" he asked Suzaku.

"You're dead. I guess you better run now before they come back."

Lelouch didn't need telling twice, he shot out of his seat and raced from the room faster than Suzaku had ever seen him. The Honorary Britannian watched the place where his friend vanished for a few seconds before turning back to the remainder of the Student Council.

"So, how long do you think it'll be until they get him?"

"Brother's fairly stubborn, but seeing who he has after him, my guess is it'll be over in a week."

"Don't forget, this is Milly we're talking about. She'll pull out the big guns right away. I'll be surprised if this is still going on in two days."

"Lelouch has put up with Milly's antics for years. I'm sure he can hold off against her."

"Sure, by herself, but don't forget that Shirley's in this as well. And Kallen, she's probably just as smart as Lelouch and we don't know anything about C.C."

"Who you think is going to win?" Sayoko asked.

Nunnally answered right away. "I think Kallen will. I'm sure Brother's already interested in her and I like her."

"Yeah, but don't forget, this is Milly we're talking about" Nina supplied. "She can be very creative and persuasive if she wants to be."

Unable to accept that fact that his crush might actually date his best friend, Rivalz hastily added, "But Shirley's loved him since forever. Sure she may be unable to say it, but with this she'll actually confess. She's not about to lose him."

Suzaku just glanced at his new friends for a few seconds and sighed. "Well, since nobody else is going to vote for her, I guess I'll place my money on C.C."

Rivalz perked up at that. "So Suzaku, willing to bet on the outcome of this little competition?"

Suzaku just raised an eyebrow. "Don't you get enough money with your gambling trips with Lelouch? Oh well, might as well." Reaching into his wallet, Suzaku pulled out a few bills and placed them in the center of the table. "I'll wager C.C. wins in two weeks."

"Shirley, four days!"

"Come on guys, we really shouldn't"

"Aw, Nina, where's your sense of fun?"

Her answer shocked Suzaku and Rivalz.

"Milly, two days."

Suzaku blinked. Rivalz just stared with his mouth open. Nina blushed at her own boldness.

"What about you Miss Nunnally, are you going to bet as well?"

"Do you have any money for me Sayoko?" The maid just held up a small wad of bills. Nunnally nodded. "Kallen, a month."

"You sure Nunnally?"

She nodded again. "Trust me, I know Brother."

"So," Rivalz said, staring at the small pile of money on the table, "whose going to hold it until the end?"

"I take that" Sayoko said, scooping up the pile. "I know you can't be trusted Mr. Cardemonde. As the only neutral party in this, it should fall to me to watch the winnings."

"You're not going to bet Sayoko?"

"Oh no Mr. Kururugi, I could never bet against my master. But, if I did, I would have to agree with you. Miss C.C. does seem like a good choice."

After that, the Student Council meetings got a lot more interesting. While unable to use their clothing to persuade Lelouch, Milly and C.C. had been taking actions to show off their bodies, stretching for long periods of time, bending at the waist in front of Lelouch, things like that.

So far the only results were an uncomfortable Nina and Nunnally, a red Shirley and Lelouch, and a drooling Rivalz. After four days, Lelouch was still holding strong though Suzaku was starting to notice his resolve was weakening slightly. He didn't know how Lelouch was able to do it, had he been the target, it would've been over by the time school got out. Then again, Lelouch always was pretty stubborn.

Suzaku was drawn out of his thoughts be Lloyd's appearance. "All right everyone, pack it up, pack it up, we done today, don't do anymore! Hip, hip, hooray! That's all folks." He gave a depressed sigh and slouched forward in defeat.

Suzaku, still unused to his boss's unusual behavior, could only stare in confusion while around him the rest of the Camelot workers were starting to follow orders, more than used to Lloyd's eccentrics. Cecile just shook her head.

"Go back to school Suzaku. Classes may be over for today but it's important to have a social life as well. Not to mention, you might miss something interesting today."

"Right" Suzaku smirked. He knew Cecile was a little curious about how Lelouch was doing against the Council girls. Although she didn't know Lelouch's name for his protection, she knew enough about his friend. Suzaku had a feeling that she might be more interested in the competition than she was letting on.

It only took a few minutes to pack up his work and change into his school uniform. Soon, Suzaku was walking through the halls of Ashford Academy, wondering what crazy scheme Milly had come up with this time. Up ahead, he could see Lelouch sneaking around.

"Lelouch!"

Ahh!" The former prince jumped so high that he practically hit the ceiling. "Suzaku, don't scare me like that!"

"Sorry. So, who're you hiding from today?"

"C.C."

"Oh, so what'd she do this time?"

"You mean, what has she been doing to past couple of nights. You know how she's staying with me and Nunnally, right? Well, every night since this dammed competition started she's been sneaking into my bed and sleeping next to me naked."

"Wow, lucky guy."

"Shut it! I don't need your comments."

"Sorry, but it's true Lelouch. Most guys in this school would kill to have just one of the girls from the Student Council after them, but you've got four."

"I don't need more girls chasing after me, almost half of them in this school already are. Heck, I don't even need one. I've got no time for dating. By the way, could you not mention this to Shirley; I don't need her freaking out over it. Oh, or Milly, I don't want to give her any ideas."

"Got it. Though, speaking of Shirley. You really care for her, don't you? After all, why have me not mention it if you didn't. Just ask her out already and this'll all be over."

"Oh? And what about the bet you and the rest of the Council made? Didn't think I'd hear about that, or how you've become the unofficial bookie for this whole competition?"

Suzaku just smiled nervously. It was true. It had only taken one day for news of the competition to spread throughout the whole school. Some of the girl's in Lelouch's fan club tried to get in on it but they were somehow stopped (much to Lelouch's relief). Of course, nearly everyone had an opinion on who should win and how long Lelouch would last.

As Rivalz couldn't be trusted with money and Nina was more interested in her research, it fell to Suzaku to record everyone's bet and hold the money. This had the added benefit of increasing Suzaku's popularity with the rest of the school.

"Oh relax Lelouch; everyone's just having a bit of fun. Well, everyone but you that is. Though, I'm serious. I'm not sure you can handle this competition, mentally or physically. You're just lucky that it's only been C.C. and Milly really working at this. Shirley's too nervous about it and Kallen's just planning and waiting. Once they both get involved you won't stand a chance. I think you should just pick a girl and date her, that'd get everyone else off your back.

"Of course Shirley's perfect for you. I know you're worried about Nunnally in all this but she loves Shirley and Shirley cares for Nunnally a great deal. Plus, you know she's got it bad for you and is probably one of the few girls that actually likes you for you. Just give her a chance."

"I can't do that Suzaku. The reasons are…personal. And I know how much she cares for me, I'm not blind. I just don't want to lead her on and have her get hurt. That girl's is just too stubborn."

"Like you?" Suzaku asked slyly.

"Exactl…very funny." Lelouch narrowed his eyes and glared at his friend. Suzaku only stared off into space innocently. Lelouch gave a sigh. "Look, I don't have time for this, I'll see you later O.K.?"

Suzaku just shook his head after his friend. Sometimes Lelouch was just too stubborn. Maybe he should suggest to Milly about locking one of the girls in a closet with Lelouch. Poor Shirley would freak about ten seconds in though Kallen was certainly interesting.

"Hey, Kururugi!" Suzaku turned to see Mark Davis, one of his classmates, running over to him. "Hey, the Student Council competition still going on?"

"Lelouch is just as stubborn as ever."

"Shirley make a move yet?"

"Not yet, though from the way things are looking she's got plenty of time."

"Right, then put me down for Shirley in twenty days. Here."

Suzaku took the money and wrote Mark's name in the booklet he'd taken to carrying around with him. This made two hundred and thirty-seven students plus six faculty members involved in the bet. Maybe that's why Lelouch was holding out like he was. Maybe he thought that if he held out long enough that he could collect all the money himself as no one won. It was worth a shot.

Meanwhile, in the Student Council Room, Shirley and Kallen were busy setting up Arthur's new house. Of course, the cat himself was too impatient to wait for his house. Four times already Kallen had to remove the feline from the box she was working with to get at the materials he was laying on.

Shirley was taking the pieces Kallen already had taken out and putting them together. As they were alone in the Council room, Shirley thought that now was the best time to get some answers to questions that were bothering her.

"Kallen, can I ask you something?"

"Huh?" Kallen looked up and Arthur took this opportunity to jump back in the box. Sighing, she reached in to grasp the cat. "Oh, sure."

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but, I'd really like some answers."

Kallen had been expecting this. Shirley was going to question her about her relationship with Lelouch because of a couple of incidents. Looking back on it, Kallen realized it was no wonder Shirley was confronting her. She and Lelouch just had the worst luck when they were alone.

"Go ahead and ask Shirley, I'll answer you honestly" Kallen responded while also scratching behind Arthur's ears to distract him.

Shirley was silent for a few seconds before she spoke again. "You like Lulu, right?"

"Um, of course." Kallen quietly, knowing how much the other girl loved Lelouch. Shirley was her friend after all and she didn't want her getting hurt.

"Then, why did you give up the kiss?" I mean, it was the perfect opportunity for you. Or, have you and Lelouch already…kissed? I happened to see you guys the other day…"

When Milly decided to take that picture of us. Shirley turned around to face her, so Kallen let Arthur go so she could stand up.

"That…that wasn't anything" she tried to defend, while the redness of her cheeks betrayed her.

"You mean, it wasn't anything special?"

Oh, Shirley and her overactive imagination. "No, no, we didn't kiss. It was just…" But what excuse could she come up with to explain why their faces were so close? Knowing that it wouldn't get her anywhere and that Shirley would just take anything she said out of context, Kallen tried to turn it all back towards the Cat Hunt.

"About the Cat Hunt, I did it for you."

That shocked Shirley out of any thought she had about their almost kiss. "Huh, what do you mean?"

There was a soft meow and Kallen looked down to see Arthur pawing at her leg. Picking him up again, she carefully thought about how to give her answer.

"You see, well, I heard about how much you liked Lelouch but that you were also too scared to tell him. I thought that, if I gave you the reward, you would finally get the courage to tell him."

"Exactly!"

The two girls turned to see Milly entering the room, her usual chipper self. "That's also the whole purpose of our competition Shirley. It's so you finally get the courage to tell Lelouch exactly how you feel about him. That, and to show you what'll happen if you don't hurry your butt. C.C. and I have been giving this our all and I know Kallen has some sort of elaborate plan in the works. If you don't get a move on, someone else will claim Lelouch before you."

"But," Shirley looked down, her cheeks a light red. "You and C.C. haven't been able to do anything."

"Maybe," Milly said as she wrapped an arm around Shirley's shoulders "that's because Lelouch is waiting for a certain person to tell them how they feel. A certain orange haired girl with a massive crush on him, whose friend with the little sister he adores, and has a sweet little nickname for him."

Shirley's blush deepened and Kallen, seeing no point in hanging around, decided to leave. Just in time too as she could hear Milly. "Come on Shirley, Lelouch is gone right now so let's give you a makeover that'll make his eye pop."

Just as she reached the door, it opened and Suzaku entered carrying a fuzzy cat teaser. When he saw him, Arthur immediately popped up in interest, though whether that was from the toy or the entrance of his favorite chewable Kallen didn't know.

"Here," she said, placing the cat in the boy's arms, "I've got to get going." Kallen smiled to herself as she walked away, listening. Sure enough, barely three steps later and she heard the sharp gasp coming from the Lancelot's pilot. It was almost enough to almost make her giggle. So she did.

That lasted only a few seconds as she then saw C.C. hurry by, carrying a large case.

"Where are you going?" Kallen asked suspiciously.

C.C. stopped and turned her way. "Have you been watching the news lately?" she asked in a serious tone.

"No, why?"

"Lelouch took the bait Cornelia put out and is now about to be caught. You know what that means."

She did. Kallen knew that the moment Cornelia saw Lelouch she would put it all together. Zero would be caught. Neither of them knew if being a prince would save him from the death penalty, but they weren't going to wait around and find out.

"What are still doing here then, get going!"

The witch didn't need telling twice; in seconds she was gone. Kallen watched her for a few seconds, sending a silent pray that Lelouch would be saved. She had worked too hard and lost so much for him to die again, so soon. Suddenly, Kallen's thought were interrupted by her phone going off.

"Hello?"

"Kallen, its Ohgi. Have you been watching the news?"

"You mean about how Cornelia's set up a trap for Zero?"

"Yeah, the entire Saitama Ghetto is surrounded, just like in Shinjuku."

"Do you think the Yamato Alliance will survive?"

"Without Zero there to lead them, I doubt it. Remember, Cornelia's leading the Britannian forces and she isn't called the Goddess of Victory for nothing. The Britannian news has been full of her campaign in the former Middle Eastern Federation. Rumor is she took on a whole fortress by herself."

Kallen was silent. Knowing Cornelia personally, she guessed that a good portion of what the news was saying was the truth.

"You hear from Zero lately?" she asked out of curiosity.

"No, not since I told him about the fall of the Blood of the Samurai. That's actually why I was calling; you were the first person he contacted out of all of us. First in Shinjuku, and then after when he arranged to meet us."

"No, I haven't heard from him either."

"All right. I'll call you if Zero contacts me, for now, stay in school."

The call ended with a soft click and Kallen smiled.

"Yeah, stay in school. I'd doubt you'd be telling me that if you knew what I was really up to Ohgi."