A/N: Say hello to Chapter 53. Hope you'll enjoy it. The beginning of this chapter will be in first person, but the rest will be in third person. Also thanks to all my reviewers. You guys are totally awesome!
Disclaimer: Nothing from Code Geass or Sailor Moon belongs to me.
Chapter 53
A Day in the Life
At exactly 11:00 a.m.
Rei P.O.V.
Presently, I'm not sure what this meeting is all about, but I want to know now.
However, somebody, (Serena), isn't on time. Again!
"Ami, I thought Serena was with you," Lita said.
"She was, but she may have gotten sidetracked by something and walked off," Ami replied. "I must have not noticed."
"How can you not notice," I asked. "Serena is a walking chatterbox. If it's silent then Serena has most likely disappeared."
"Oh, she noticed," Hotaru said with a sly grin on her face. "She just didn't want to deal with Serena anymore."
"That's not true," Ami said defensively. The poor girl began to turn a bright shade of red. She is a terrible liar.
"It's okay Ami, I don't blame you," I stated. "I would've done the same."
"Oh, that's really nice Rei," an annoying voice called. Who else could it be other than Serena?
"Where did you go," Lita asked.
"Well, I saw a hot dog stand by the park and decided to get one," Serena said. As I examined her I noticed that she had some mustard on the side of her mouth. Ugh, she's just like a kid!
"Anyway, now that we're all here," Ami stated. "What's going on Haruka."
"We have to return to the Juban district immediately," Haruka replied. Her words shocked us all, but Serena showed it the most since her jaw had pretty much hit the floor. Well, in retrospect, she looked the way I felt inside. How can I go back now? I still have a mission to complete here.
"You mind elaborating on why we have to go back," I asked after a moment.
"Our home is soon to be in danger once again," Setsuna replied as she walked out from the kitchen. She held a tray filled with cucumber sandwiches and fresh fruit and set it on the table. Serena immediately dug in, but the rest of us didn't move.
"Do we have a new enemy," Lita asked.
"We're not sure," Michiru explained. "However, there has been a disturbance and a great darkness is coming soon. I cannot decipher the meaning of the images that my mirror has shown me." She held the blue and gold mirror's handle tighter as her eyes closed. When she opened them a weary expression filled her features.
"We must return to Juban," she continued after a moment. "From what I've been able to guess, the mirror is telling us to go back before something awful happens to our home. That is clear to me."
No, I can't go back yet.
"The barrier that protected the city from Britannian intruders is weakening as well," Haruka stated. "We're the reason why that barrier has been strong up until now. It is also the reason why Britannia hasn't been able to invade Juban yet. We have to go back and we need to get Mina back from America. In order for the barrier to be strong again we all need to be back there."
I remembered seeing that barrier when I'd been at Tokyo tower with Lelouch. So it was because of the Sailor Scouts that the barrier was even there. It was the only thing standing in the way of Britannia's capture of Juban. After all, the military for that area is very weak due to the lack in resources and supplies. If that barrier disappears, the city would never stand a chance.
"We have to leave immediately," Setsuna stated as she picked up a cucumber sandwich from the tray and popped it into her mouth. "It's the only way."
I couldn't say anything. This information was just too much to take in. However, I soon realized that even though it was my duty to go back to Juban, I couldn't. I have to finish what I started. I can't just drop it and leave. I don't have that option anyway because I've made too many commitments.
So without another word I simply walked out of the house and began walking toward my motorcycle. After getting on and fastening my helmet I sped off as quickly as possible. Sure, Haruka as well as Serena and the others had probably wanted to stop me, but they knew that I was going to need some time alone.
I've got a lot to think about.
Serena P.O.V.
Oh, this isn't good at all. Seriously, how am I supposed to set Rei and Lelouch, or Suzaku, up if we have to go back to Juban? This simply will not do at all. Besides, I don't think Rei can leave anyway. After all, she's working for the Black Knights and she's working undercover at the government bureau. Sure we all knew about her undercover position, but I'm the only one that knows about her involvement in the Black Knights.
Still, it's not like the others really thought much on that. Our whole reason for being here was to get Rei to come back with us, but after everything with Chad and her grandpa…we didn't want to force it.
Now, Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna are practically ordering her and the rest of us to go back, and while the three outer senshi are older and wiser than the rest of us, it just didn't seem right to go back now. Somehow, I knew that we were going to need to be here now more than ever.
After Rei left we'd pretty much ended the meeting, but Haruka still wore that angry expression on her face. She obviously wasn't happy with Rei walking out on us, but I surely didn't blame her for it. She's been through so much in such a short time and Rei has always been stubborn, so there's really no point in trying to convince her to leave.
But, that's what everyone wants me to do.
"Serena, you need to convince her to go back to Juban," Haruka said. "She'll listen to you."
Yeah, fat chance of that happening.
"She's right Serena," Hotaru cut in. "We can't stay here and watch our home become a wasteland. We have to go back as soon as possible."
Hotaru was right, but then again she doesn't know the half of what's going on.
None of them do.
"I'll go talk to her," I told them while grabbing one of the sandwiches that Setsuna had made off the tray. I quickly stuffed it in my mouth and left the house, already knowing where she would go.
So after closing the door behind me I began to walk in the direction towards the school. I know that Lita and Ami probably would have followed me, but most likely they wanted more information on who this new enemy of ours was.
Thinking back on it all, we've been through quite a bit. With Queen Beryl and the other monsters from the negaverse, Prince Diamond, Wise man, and the other minions from Nemesis, the heart snatchers and the all the madness that had come along with that as well as Queen Nehelania and Sailor Galaxia…it's easy to say that we've had our share of enemies. You'd think that all the fighting would stop.
But it never does.
Whatever enemy that we're about to face is most likely going to be a tough one. Possibly the worst bad guy we'll ever have to face.
What's worse is that this war between Britannia and Japan will probably get mixed in right in the middle of the chaos that is bound to come.
Around 2:45
Outside of Lelouch's house
Lelouch P.O.V.
"I used to catch crawdads all the time."
"Really Suzaku, you would catch crawdads?"
"Yep."
"How," the Nunnally asked eagerly.
"It's simple, just tie a string to a frogs back leg," Suzaku replied.
"A frog," she asked. "You mean those things that sit on lily-pads and go 'croak'?"
"Yeah," Suzaku told her. "But in Japanese they go 'kero, kero'."
"Really, kero?"
"Yep, 'kero, kero, kero'," he says as he mimics a frog.
I watched as Suzaku and Nunnally talked and laughed while contemplating on what to do about Nunnally's safety. It has become clear to me due to recent events that I would not be able to protect my sister if things progressed as planned. Still, if I ask him to, I know that Suzaku would protect her for me.
I was just about to ask Suzaku about it when a motorcycle pulled up close to the house. The girl riding took off her helmet and shook out her long dark hair, a forlorn expression on her face.
"Hey Rei," Suzaku greeted happily.
"So, you've finally decided to come and visit me again," Nunnally added with a smile.
"Yeah, it has been a while," Rei said as she trudged up the few steps that led onto the patio. "I just always have so much work to do."
"Well, you're here now and that's what counts," Nunnally replied happily. Rei smiled at the young girl and tried to hide the fact that she was troubled, but I knew. She wasn't happy in the present moment, but she was trying her best to put a smile on her face for my sister's sake and for that I was grateful.
"So, how is everything at the base," Rei asked Suzaku.
"Busy," Suzaku replied. "Hardly ever have time off these days."
"Yeah, I know the feeling well," Rei said while hoisting herself up on the ledge of the terrace.
"Speaking of which are you feeling better," Nunnally asked. "Shirley told me that you weren't feeling well this morning.
"Naw, I just needed to skip school, that's all," Rei replied.
"But aren't you already failing most of your classes," Suzaku asked.
Rei groaned and looked at the ground. With a sigh she answered, "Unfortunately I am."
"You should take your studies more seriously," I remarked while gazing up at the sky, wishing that I had more moments like this. More time to be normal…but that was never the life that I was meant to live.
"And that's coming from a guy who almost always skips his classes," Rei fired back, an amused smirk on her face.
"Yes," I replied. "However, I'm passing all of my classes with straight A's."
Rei grumbled something inaudible and then turned her attention to Nunnally.
"Nunnally, I think you're going to have to teach him manners again," Rei told her irritably.
"He's right though, you really should be more concerned," Suzaku stated.
"Oh, not you too Suzaku," Rei said playfully, but there was a hint of weariness in her voice. There seemed to always be some weariness in her voice these days. I have to say that it worried me. It also worried me that she'd somehow sent me halfway across her room without even touching me. I realize now that I'm going to have to keep a close eye on her. It is clear to me that she is most likely hiding more than what she told me last night.
"And you're here less than Lelouch," Suzaku continued as Rei stared at the ground. "They'll hold you back if you keep flaking on your responsibilities."
"Okay, I get it Suzaku," Rei cut in. "I'll work harder, I promise."
"Personally, I think your working yourself too hard Rei," Nunnally said. "You always sound so tired."
"Well, exhausted is more like it, but I'll be fine Nunnally, no need to worry," Rei told her.
"Well, if you say so," Nunnally replied, clearly concerned for Rei's well-being.
"So anyway," Rei started as she changed the subject. "What'd I miss."
"Nothing really," Suzaku answered. "Well, except that Serena was talking to Milly earlier today."
The expression that crossed Rei's features ranged from shock to worry in less than ten seconds.
"Oh no, something tells me that I'm in for some trouble," Rei said with a sigh.
"I think I know a little bit about it," Nunnally cut in.
"Really, please tell me."
"Well it's like this…"
"Yes?"
"I didn't hear everything, but I know that Serena was talking to Milly about setting you up on some kind of blind date."
"Blind date…with who," Rei asked nervously.
"I don't know exactly who, but I have two guesses," Nunnally replied.
"Well…"
"My brother or Suzaku."
Suzaku and I both turned to look at the now blushing Rei. Fury was evident in her expression as she leaned over the terrace and reached down. When she came back up she brought Serena up with her.
"You've got some explaining to do meatball head," Rei muttered darkly while tightening her grip on Serena's hair
"I didn't do it," Serena lied.
"Don't try to lie now," Rei growled. "You've been caught Serena and now your gonna pay."
"It's not my fault that you can't decide on which guy you like," Serena shouted. Rei then proceeded to smack Serena across her head.
"I don't feel that way about either one of them you big meatball brain," Rei replied angrily as a visibly large lump formed on Serena's head.
"Hey, I was only trying to help," Serena said as she rubbed her head. "You don't have to be so mean to me." The girl then began crying obnoxiously.
"Oh, really mature Serena," Rei replied, who was apparently having a hard time dealing with Serena. I didn't blame her. The girl was a nut-job.
"I'm way more mature than you Rei," Serena stated as she began to stick her tongue out at Rei .
"Don't kid yourself Serena, you have about as much maturity as a two year old," Rei said while sticking out her tongue right back at Serena.
Truth be told though, neither one of them looked mature to me.
"Take that back," Serena shouted as she pulled on Rei's hair.
"No way, meatball brain," Rei replied while hitting Serena's head again. This was starting to get ridiculous.
"There take that Serena!"
"Oh yeah, prepare to eat your words!"
"Ha! You've got nothing on me!"
"Oh yeah, I've got your diary right here," Serena shouted while taking out a pink book from out of nowhere.
"Now that's just low Serena, even for you," Rei screamed as she gaped at the book in Serena's hands.
"Hahahahahahahhahaha, prepare to be embarrassed!"
"Not so fast," Rei replied grabbing a purple book from out of nowhere.
"WHAT! How'd you get that?"
"I have my sources," Rei told her.
And I thought things were getting ridiculous before.
"Serena, Rei," Suzaku tried to say, but the two knuckleheads couldn't hear him.
However, Suzaku and I as well as Rei and Serena heard the slightest bit of laughter.
Nunnally's laughter.
Rei and Serena paused, "What's so funny?"
"You…two…are so funny," Nunnally replied in between fits of giggles.
Rei and Serena looked at each other for a moment and then began laughing themselves.
"I guess we were pretty silly, huh Nunnally," Serena asked.
"You two must be close," Nunnally replied, not answering Serena's question. "Friends who argue a lot are normally the one's who are the closest."
Rei and Serena looked at each other again and then smiled.
"Yeah, I guess we are," Rei said.
"Suzaku," a voice yelled suddenly.
A blue haired, blue eyed women wearing an orange business uniform, with black boots and a thin green tie came rushing toward the house.
"Lloyd says it's urgent," she shouted as she ran.
"Who's that," I asked Suzaku.
"She's a soldier," he replied as he stood. The woman arrived seconds later.
"Oh, are these friends of yours," she asked looking at me and the others. Suzaku nodded.
"I'm sorry," she said regarding the rest of us. "I have to take Suzaku away from you for a little while."
Suzaku paused and he turned in my direction.
"Go ahead, that guy isn't going to come back here," I said, answering his unspoken question just before he made his way to leave. Still…
"Come back again Suzaku," Nunnally said.
"I will," Suzaku replied.
"Suzaku…"
Suzaku turned back around and faced me as I spoke. "When you return there's something I need to discuss with you."
"Uh, oh, I'm nervous," Suzaku said jokingly. "I'll talk to you when I get back." He then left with the woman.
"Wow, he's busier than you are Rei," Serena retorted.
"It sounds like Suzaku is important to them, I'm glad," Nunnally added.
"Nunnally, you seem found of Suzaku am I right," I asked.
"I adore him," Nunnally replied. "But of course I love you more than anyone Lelouch."
"Awwww, Nunnally you're so sweet," Serena stated. "See Rei, can't you be more like her."
"I would be nicer if you weren't always following me around like a stalker," Rei replied calmly. "By the way, why did you decide to follow me this time?"
"Well you know what Haruka said…"
"No way Serena, I've made up my mind," Rei cut in. She made up her mind? About what? And who's Haruka?
"Rei, is there something wrong," Nunnally asked.
"Well, it's complicated," Rei answered. " and the others want me to come back to Juban with them."
"Do you want to go back," I asked, curious of what her answer would be.
"Yes, but I can't go back now, I've got things I have to do," she said simply. "I'm still searching for something and I can't leave Area 11 without finding it.
"Whatever you're looking for must be important to you if you're willing to sacrifice what you want," Nunnally remarked.
"It is," Rei told her, a dark look crossing her features. It was clear that something more was bothering her, but what could it be. How do I begin to find out who Rei Hino really is.
Well for starters, figure out who Julianna Kyuske is.
"Rei, can I talk to you in private for a minute," I asked motioning for her to come inside with me.
"I guess," she replied. "Serena, try not to corrupt Nunnally while I'm gone, okay."
"Come on Rei, you should really give me more credit," Serena said offhandedly as Rei followed me into the house.
After closing the doors behind us, I led Rei into the living room and sat down on the couch.
"Listen, tonight we're busting Kyoshiro Todoh from his prison near the government bureau," I told her as she sat next to me. "I'm going to need you're help since you're best at creating distractions."
"Sorry, Lula, no can do," Rei replied almost immediately, while getting up from the couch to pace the room. "Someone has to stay here and look after Nunnally while you're gone."
I picked up on what she was worried about and told her that Mao wasn't coming back, but she'd already known that.
"Listen, I don't care if Mao is gone," Rei told me. "Someone still has to look out for your sister and no way am I leaving Serena to watch over her by herself."
"Neither one of you have to stay and watch over Nunnally, that's what Sayoko is here for," I replied.
"If you hadn't noticed Sayoko isn't here right now," Rei stated stopping mid pace to stare at me. I wasn't fond of the staring because it set me on edge for reasons I couldn't explain. Everyday Rei seemed to make me feel something that I'm not used to feeling. Emotions that made me believe that I could trust her, though I knew that it wasn't possible.
"Like I was saying," Rei continued, turning her attention to something else in the room, "Serena and I will stay here and look after Nunnally." In that moment Rei reached into her purse and grabbed a small communicator.
"Here," she said after she tossed it to me.
"What's this for," I asked while inspecting it.
"If there's an emergency and you need me, that's the best way to reach me," she replied simply. "Anyway, you better get going soon. Rakshata will be there in less than an hour."
"How do you…"
"Psychic, remember?"
I didn't respond. Rei was keeping too many secrets and I didn't appreciate it. Still, at least she'll prove to be of use to me as far as Nunnally goes.
"Oh, and I almost forgot, you'll be needing this data," Rei said grabbing a small disk from within her purse and handing it to me, instead of tossing it like she had done with the communicator.
"This is the Lancelot data," she continued. "I know you were able to figure out most of the Lancelot's maneuver ability and such, but I thought you could use a little bit of extra data just in case the Lancelot has any special tricks that we haven't seen yet."
"And just how did you acquire this data," I asked her as she began to walk back towards the door.
"I have my sources."
She then left the house and returned outside to where Nunnally and Serena were, while leaving me to contemplate on what her sources could have been. This girl seems to have so many secrets, in some ways Rei was worse than C.C.
For one thing, Rei is more secretive, but worse than that she's not impassive and emotionless, which makes it difficult to order her around like I do to C.C. Well, neither one of them listen to me anyway, but it's still harder to be stern with Rei. After all, Rei's life has been altered dramatically since she's first arrived here, and I'm still unsure of why she is here.
Was it just to protect me?
To find the truth about her past and find her brother?
Or is there more to it than that?
And if there is more to her story, what are the missing pieces?
A/N: The chapter is finished. I suffered through writer's block while writing this, so this chapter won't be my best. That and I wanted this chapter to also be a filler chapter. Now for the questions you might be having.
Will Lelouch and Suzaku find out Rei's secret?
Will Rei return to Juban City with Serena and the others?
Who is Kyoshiro Todoh, and what's his part in all this?
What was that important mission that Suzaku had to go on when he left Lelouch's house?
Well the only way to find out these answers is to tune into the next chapter.
