Since Sunrise owns Code Geass and Sega owns Sonic, all I can say is that they are highly recommended.

Chapter 12-Kyoto Messenger

- Kyoto, Unknown Area -

Five men sit in a circle around one light, discussing the Narita incident.

"So the Britannian viceroy has gone this far already."

"With the Liberation Front smashed, the last emperors died away."

"No! He may be on the run, but Tohdoh is still strong, still fighting!"

"If that's so, I heard he lost his custom Borais, so there's no hope."

"There is hope."

One man turns behind him, "The Black Knights...you've been infatuated with Zero ever since he rescued Kururugi. As you've sent him the Guren Mk. 2."

- Ashford Academy -

Shirley opens and envelope behind her textbook, looking at the tickets. She notices Lelouch and Kallen are absent. Every class, she thinks over Lelouch and Kallen. In the council room. she fiddles with her envelope.

Milly notices, "Ok, what has you so worried? Constipated? Your Monthly?"

"What? That's not it."

Shadow grins, "You're worried because Lelouch isn't here, correct?"

Shirley gives a small frown, "It's just...Kallen's out the same day he is, again."

"How carefree, the world's is still grasped on Narita's incident."

Milly nods, "Suzaku has been out on that, too."

"But Lelouch and Kallen on the same day, together? That's serious!"

"Next time you see my brother, say three little words like I do Nina," Shadow then whispers in Nina's ear, "I love you." Nina flushed red instantly.

Shirley blushes, too, "I couldn't! I just couldn't! What if-"

Milly mocks, "'What if he rejects me? It could ruin our friendship.'" She and Shadow laugh.

"Y-you don't have to laugh like that, you know."

"Comfortable, isn't it? This place now? The way we are together."

"Very true. Although, Nina, Shirley, Madam President, nothing stays the same for too long. Anything can change."

Milly turns to the door, "So how are you feeling on your end?"

"L-Lulu!"

"Brother, how's Nunnally?"

"She's fine. A little fever, that's all."

"Was Sayoko busy?"

"Yeah, had to stay home to help. Madam President, the papers?"

"Yep, over there. Arrange them by class and year."

"Yeah, I will. You have a talent for bossing people around."

"And you're a great subordinate!"

"Subordinate? Heh, I guess that's what I am."

Shadow is still holding back his laughter, "Miss Milly, you're too good. You almost gave Shirley a heart attack."

"Yeah, not cool! Huh? Where's my tickets? Ah! Lelouch grabbed them!" She rushes out of the room.

"I guess Shirley didn't want him to see the tickets."

"Shadow, you're bad. Just letting him take off with them for Shirley's wild goose chase."

"You love me all the same, don't start that." Shadow wraps his arms around Nina.

"Hey! No public displays of affection, you two!"

Shirley catches up to Lelouch, "Lulu!"

"Huh? What is it?"

"Um, is my dad's letter mixed up with the paperwork?"

"Oh, sorry...what's wrong?"

"...Lulu?"

"Shirley?"

"My dad works a long way from here." Shirley opens the envelope, "But he sends me great stuff to keep my spirits up. So, I was just wondering," she hands him a ticket, "If you'd go with me?"

"Um..."

"Anyway, gotta go!"

"What was that all about?"

- Black Knight Hideout -

Oghi speaks of Kyoto praising them for using the Guren.

Kallen disrupts, "But then there's that white armor."

Tamaki flashes his usual smile, "It was a tie, right? A tie!"

Zero receives a paper Ohgi was given, "A love letter? From you?"

Tamaki bursts out laughing, "And they say you have no sense of humor."

Kallen is annoyed, "You laugh too much."

Ohgi continues, "An official letter from Kyoto. requesting a meeting with you."

Nightshade reads the letter, "What's the big deal?"

Kallen perks up, "Big deal? It's Kyoto!"

"I see, we gain their trust, we gain their funding. I say we go."

"It will help our financial crisis?"

Zero turns to Ohgi, "Crisis? There shouldn't be any problems with the budget I layed out."

"Although, Zero," Nightshade folds the letter, "We're growing bigger as an organization. New expenses will be present."

Zero sighs, "Ohgi will be in charge of the treasury for now."

"That's my job!"

Nightshade stops in front of Tamaki, "Earn our trust with results next time."

"'Trust?' From and for two people who hide behind masks?"

Kallen snaps, "Who cares who they are! They outwitted Cornelia, didn't they? That's why they're the leader of the Black Knights. Do you really need to know more?"

Nightshade pauses, "Well, she knows her place. You should know yours."

- Night, Ashford Academy -

Nunnally and Shadow hear screaming. Shadow goes to her room, "Nunnally?"

"I'm alright. It came from the school."

"Stay here. if there is someone out there, it's safer here."

"Ok, good luck." Nunnally waves to Shadow rushing out the door.

Shadow finds someone in the council room, "Are you hurt?" He opens the door wider to see Nina, "Thank God your okay! You scared me to death!"

Nina closes an article, "I'm very sorry, Shadow. I didn't mean to worry you."

"What are you doing here anyway?"

"N-nothing!"

"Are you sure?"

"...It's Euphemia..."

"What about her?" Shadow thinks it over, "Wow. Did not expect you to go that far."

Nina flushes wildly, "Y-you're not mad...a-are you?"

Shadow gives her a charming smile, "No, I suspected you'd do something like this."

"I...um..."

"No worries. I'll help clean up later."

"L-later?"

"No one's gonna be here for another six hours. We have time left."

"W-what do you mean?"

Shadow whispers in her ear, "It's nothing to worry about."

"Shadow..." Nina feels her lips meeting his and he moves to her neck. she squeaked in surprise and moans a bit, "N-no. Not now. Please...stop."

Shadow backs away, "Sorry. I got carried away."

Nina is smiling with her blush still red, "Seems my love isn't the only one going out of control."

"Yeah," Shadow gives Nina one final kiss before leaving, "Sweet dreams, Nina Einstein."

"Good night, Shadow Lamperouge."

- Black Knight Hideout -

Lelouch is on the computer, "That narrows it down to twelve possibilities."

Knocking is heard on the door, Kallen speaks, "It's me."

"Kallen, do you want to know my identity as well?"

"...That girl knows... No, sorry to bother you."

- Lamperouge Household -

Lelouch walks in and sees Nunnally sitting up, "Looks like your fever's gone. Shadow, I feel like you're a miracle worker when over here."

Shadow scratches the back of his head, "My suspicion for Nunnally's fever is her being moody."

"Moody?"

"Yeah. All three of us have grown distant. You more than anyone else. Meaning I'm not the only one to balance my affairs."

"I guess so."

Nunnally sticks her tongue out, "Maybe it's just to get both of your attentions."

Lelouch bends a knee and takes her hand, "I'll always be there, no matter how distant."

"Count me in as well."

- Later -

C.C. is surprised, "You're asking ME a favor?"

Lelouch looks emotionless, "Yes, an idea from something you said. I don't care for Kyoto's intentions, just their power."

"Brother, you dropped this." A ticket is shown in Shadow's hand.

"That reminds me, Due to our trip to Kyoto, I may have to cancel with Shirley," Lelouch answers his phone, "It's me. Oh, I was just about to call you. Ok."

"Shirley gonna be late, brother?"

"Yeah, she hung up before I got to cancel."

C.C. butts in, "Both of you must stick to your contract."

- Kyoto, Unknown Area -

Zero and Nightshade wait among the fog for a Kyoto representative and a truck pulls up.

"Bring your staff members per my master's orders"

Zero nods, "In any case," Geass activates, "I would like for me to pilot one of your Knightmares."

Later, Zero is with Tamaki, Kallen and Ohgi in a private vehicle.

Tamaki whines, "When are we gonna get there?"

Kallen is annoyed again, "Chill out alright? It's embarrassing for you show off like a brat."

As they feel a tremor from a vehicle elevator, everyone but Zero is concerned as to where Nightshade is.

Zero silences them, "He'll be here, trust me."

Tamaki reaches the glass bordering off access to the Fuji Mines, "That is not possible. There's no way we could be here."

Nightshade walks to stop alongside Zero, "Good, you guys made it."

"Zero, Nightshade," A member of Kyoto's group is seen, "I'm sorry for not showing my face, but you're not showing yours either. I cannot allow that. To trust you, I must know who both of you are."

Knightmares surround the team of Black Knights.

"Now, which of you is Ohgi?"

"That's me."

"Remove Zero's mask first."

"Sorry. We need reason to trust you, too."

C.C. appears from the mask. A Knightmare attacks the other parts of the groups and aims for the Kyoto member, "You're soft, using methods that are outdated, meaning," Zero comes from the Knightmare, "Meaning you'll never win. Taizo Kirihara, founder of Kirihara Industries. You support Japan's resistance groups, a double agent."

Nightshade walks forward, "You're right, Zero and I are not Japanese."

"Then why fight for Japan?"

Zero and Nightshade answer in unison, "The destruction of Britannia. We have reason which keep us going, allowing us to perform our own miracles."

Zero takes his mask off, "I'm glad I'm dealing with you." Nightshade does the same to his mask. Taizo is shocked, "It's been a long time, Kirihara."

"It's been eight years since our family received you two hostage."

Shadow nods, "We appreciate you taking care of us."

"Would you have planned to take a messenger hostage if it weren't me?"

"Not at all, we came for your help, that's all."

"So the plant from eight years has finally bloomed," Taizo laughs, "Ohgi. These men are true warriors and mortal enemy of Britannia. their faces must remain hidden for vital reasons. I urge you to follow Zero and Nightshade. We will assist you generously if you do."

"We're grateful, lord Kirihara." Lelouch and Shadow put on the masks.

- Road to Ashford -

Shadow and Lelouch spot Shirley just standing there with the rain soaking her. Shadow takes this and leaves Lelouch.

Lelouch holds the umbrella over Shirley, "I'm sorry for being so late. Anyway never mind that. Let's get out of the rain."

"Lulu, tell me. Zero, he fights for the weak, doesn't he?"

"That's what he says."

"Then...then why did he kill my father?" Shirley's words turn Lelouch wide-eyed, "My father was so gentle! He never hurt me or did anything wrong! He was buried alive, couldn't breath," She starts sobbing into Lelouch's chest, "No!"

Lelouch just stands there dumbfounded.

"Lulu, help me!" Shirley leans towards him and their kiss forms.

Shadow frowns, hidden in the trees, "We should've been more careful. But now, I don't know if I should stay with the Black Knights anymore."


Note: This chapter, using the 12th episode, I kinda felt sad for Shirley. Anyway, next, chapter 13: Vengeance and Regret.