Mewsy: Sorry for the long wait! We've both been very busy with other projects, but there should be a few more chapters to post before we're caught up! That means more consistent updates for now ... hopefully. Enjoy!

White Knight AU 12

Ashford's festivals never failed to be the dumbest celebrations Lelouch had ever seen. The one upside was that this was Milly's last organized disaster, but Rivalz's desperation to show off made this one festival feel like fifty.

On any other day, Lelouch would be dying for it all to end. But as he was setting up the speakers in the control room, he couldn't have asked for a better distraction.

I have control over the guards stationed here today. Villetta will be keeping an eye on me and Suzaku. I just need Kallen to do her job right.

o-o-o-o

Kallen wobbled side to side, sighing beneath the clunky head of a borrowed mascot suit. She could have attended the festival as a student, but she had to stay anonymous on the hunt for C.C. Zero had given her an official mission anyway, and she had to make sure they'd be able to meet again.

Kallen walked around, gazing at all the over-the-top booths and games. Is that a pizza-tossing basketball attraction? Was this really a school event? Or a C.C. baited trap? Come on …

Shirley was working a food stand by the entrance, selling snacks and pizza. She noticed Kallen as she passed, but Shirley kept quiet, her green eyes duller than usual.

Oh yeah, Rivalz said Shirley got turned down by Lelouch, that self-important jerk. I'm gonna pour milk down his chair the next time he flirts with that Britannian traitor in front of her. Kallen shuffled by, stamping down the urge to rant. But since Shirley was selling pizza, Kallen had to get closer, scanning the crowd for a familiar green-haired woman.

"One slice, please," a girl wearing a straw hat said. Her back was turned, but her voice was familiar.

"Oh, sure …" Shirley forced a smile and cut a slice for her.

The girl dropped a dollar into a jar. She took the slice and immediately gobbled half the pizza. Her eyes were hidden by shades, her hair tucked underneath her hat. Yet there was no denying that insatiable appetite.

At least she had the decency to show up in disguise. Kallen sighed, planning on following her and then hiding her from the festival.

C.C. strode right across the street, approaching the school. Villetta was among the crowd, but C.C. didn't seem to care. She paused, catching sight of a black-haired boy, and started towards him.

Kallen whipped in front of C.C., blocking her path, and pretended to wave at some kid in the distance. As long as you're not seen …!

"Excuse me," C.C. said, stepping around Kallen. "I'm trying to walk."

I have to distract her! Kallen shook the mascot's head, stepping back in front of C.C. and pantomiming a camera. Taking pictures was what mascots were for, after all.

"No, thank you," C.C. said between bites of crust, turning the other way.

But before Kallen could follow, a teacher pulled her aside to take a picture. When they were finally done, C.C. was nowhere to be found. Ugh, Zero, why is this woman so hard to keep track of?

o-o-o-o

Lelouch had finished setting the controls. He was strolling past the festival booths when he spotted a waddling mascot frantically whipping around. Nothing strange here.

Except …

Wait, isn't that Kallen's costume? She looks panicked. Did she lose C.C.? Lelouch instinctively glanced towards the school doors. Villetta's nearby. This isn't good.

"Rivalz!" Lelouch called, waving him over. "I need to take care of something; can you cover for me?"

Lelouch didn't wait for an answer, immediately pushing through the crowd. He had to find some privacy and call Suzaku before C.C. got any smart ideas.

"Lamperouge!" Villetta snapped from the entrance. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I — I need to go …" Lelouch shyly looked aside. "Rivalz said he'd cover for me until I get back. I won't be long."

Villetta scrunched her nose, clicking her heel as she turned back to the festival. "Hurry."

"Yes, ma'am."

Lelouch hurried inside towards the men's room. If luck was kind, it would be vacant and — Lelouch paused at the end of a long line. Great. Where's Suzaku when you need him?

o-o-o-o

Suzaku was in no state to reply anyway. He'd gotten caught up with Gino and Anya, of all people, and was roped into giving a tour. Gino rattled on about how excited he was to soon be back having secret high school relationships and learn about Suzaku's mysterious boyfriend. Anya trotted calmly to Suzaku's right, religiously snapping photos with her phone.

Nevermind that Suzaku's every attempt to shake them off was fruitless. I hate this. Gino had clamped his arms around Suzaku like a sloth, laughing and joking and flirting to anyone who approached. At this rate, Suzaku couldn't afford to cross paths with Lelouch, Kallen, or C.C.

If any of them were in trouble, Suzaku couldn't even step in for them. He couldn't fight off the other Knights and Villetta and the other guards they hired. At least not without putting innocents in danger.

So I can play my part in silence, and Lelouch won't blame me when Zero's plans crumble … It would be so easy. Avenge Euphemia, who was killed by Zero, regardless of how much Lelouch regretted it. Avenge everyone who suffered because of Zero. All Suzaku had to do was play his part and wait until Villetta or someone catches Kallen, finds C.C., takes them back to Pendragon.

Lelouch might lose his memories again, but maybe Suzaku would get demoted after he outlived his use. And then Suzaku would be free to make Lelouch hate him, and all the pain would end.

"Kururugi!"

Or Suzaku could keep Villetta and the Knights busy.

"General Nu's looking extra flattering in that dress, don't you think?" Gino purred.

"Gross," Anya muttered.

"What is it?" Suzaku asked. "Did you want to see us?"

"All three of you, please." Villetta motioned them aside. "I need to tell you something while our princely misfit is occupied."

Gino slid off of Suzaku and whistled. "Right away."

"Please stop …" Anya groaned.

o-o-o-o

There she is! Kallen panted as sweat rolled down her temples, cursing whoever designed mascot costumes to be so hot. She'd circled the school grounds what had to be five times (stopping for too many pictures), always missing C.C. by a hair.

Apparently the pizza attractions were super-effective, but Kallen wasn't going to lose C.C. this time! The witch was devouring her nth slice of pizza, legs crossed casually at a bench.

Perfect. Kallen didn't bother to use stealth. All that pizza had to bloat C.C. by now. Kallen sprinted, massive mascot feet slamming into the concrete, and lunged.

"What are you doing?" C.C. said, yanking away. She already finished her slice, but if Kallen had grabbed her any sooner, she would have dropped it.

Kallen flailed and successfully grabbed C.C.'s wrist. "Gotcha!"

C.C. stiffened. "Who are you?"

Instead of answering, Kallen pulled them into the nearby storage garage, using the code to open the back. Kallen dragged C.C. behind the large rows of boxes and more boxes. Only then did Kallen pull off her mask and wipe her sweat.

"Why are you here?" Kallen hissed.

C.C. huffed softly, a small grin on her lips. "You know why I'm here. I came for pizza," she said. "Am I breaking a law by enjoying the festivities?"

"You got your pizza. Now go back into hiding," Kallen said. "It's too dangerous here. Zero told me so."

"Zero told you?" C.C. echoed. "How odd. I thought Zero was dead."

"No, both Ohgi and I know he's alive. And you do too, by the looks of it."

C.C. merely shrugged. "He's dead until I see his face. If he wants to come and get me, then that's his choice. But otherwise, I don't really care what happens."

Kallen glared at her. "Even if you don't care, I do. Zero's coming back soon to set things right with the Black Knights. I won't let you ruin this."

C.C. took off her sunglasses, amber eyes squinting in challenge. "How are you going to stop me?"

"Whatever means necessary," Kallen said. Before C.C. could move, she threw the mascot's head over C.C.'s head and held her wrists behind her back. "I don't care what you mean to Zero. I was given a mission. And you cannot be caught today."

"What I mean to him?" C.C. echoed, voice muffled by the costume. "You're not jealous, are you?"

Kallen rolled her eyes, heart panging bitterly. "Please. I'm a woman of taste. Zero's not my type."

"I don't believe you."

"Whatever. I don't need your opinion." Kallen's face had turned red, but she wasn't going to let C.C get to her.

Before C.C. could retort, Kallen's phone rang. The ringtone was the one she'd set for the student council.

Kallen didn't want to answer. She had to take care of C.C so she wouldn't escape and get caught. Holding tight to C.C., Kallen pressed the red button on her phone. Not now!

Whoever it was called again. Lelouch's name popped up on the screen.

"Looks like someone's going to find you before they find me." C.C. chuckled.

Kallen groaned and tightened her hold, awkwardly answering the phone. "Hey. Umm … Lelouch, this is a really bad time. I'm not feeling very good … Talk later, okay?"

"No," he said plainly. "Where are you right now? You're being asked for at the front."

"By who …?" Kallen asked, still watching C.C.

"Me." She could hear his smile. "If you're actually at the festival, that is. We need some backup."

"Lelouch, I really can't help you. I tried to come, but I'm feeling sick. I ate too much …" Kallen glanced at C.C. "Pizza. I can't help you. Sorry."

C.C. was surprisingly silent.

"That's unfortunate. Try not to get your lunch on anyone's shoes on the way home." Lelouch hung up.

Inconsiderate jerk. Kallen frowned, confused about why he called her in the first place, but shrugged it off. She tucked the phone away. "You're still not leaving. I can't risk it," Kallen said.

"Kidnapping is a crime," C.C. deadpanned. "Anyways, this is a storage room. Someone will have to come back after everything's over, and what will you do then?"

Footsteps sounded outside the door leading into the school. They slowed at the entrance.

Kallen shushed C.C. and considered checking to see who it was …

And then Kallen's phone went off again. The ring echoed loudly in the quiet room. C.C. actually stiffened. The person outside slowed, but they walked past before Kallen even got the chance to silence her phone.

I need to find another way to get C.C. out without being noticed. Kallen silenced her phone anyway, annoyed. Opening the back door again was a surefire way to get caught. But she could only try the main doors if …

Kallen grimaced. "Alright, new plan."

o-o-o-o

C.C., meanwhile, was shoved behind some boxes and tied up with duct-tape, the mascot head blinding her. That insufferable —

Conversation started up outside. Kallen wasn't doing that great at not getting caught, huh.

C.C. strained to hear what was going on, contemplating if it'd be worth it to escape on her own. But that felt like Suzaku at the door. And Suzaku meant Lelouch was near.

"I — I was just going home … through the back."

"Actually, you should let me take you to the nurse's office real quick," Suzaku said. "Lelouch said you were sick. So, I'm here to help."

C.C. smirked to herself.

"O-okay … Thanks."

Their footsteps disappeared, and another set took their place. Someone opened the door and shut it quietly behind them. They approached C.C., yanking off the costume's head, but Lelouch didn't bother to untie her.

"Enjoying the festivities?" Lelouch said.

C.C. glared up at him. "I was until you had your pet kidnap me."

"Desperate times." Lelouch leaned against a shelf, the amusement leaving his eyes — although it was hard to tell with his contacts on. "I've only been able to prevent the OSI from watching me during the day. I'm being observed constantly in the case you show up. Stay away, please."

C.C. sighed and tugged against her binds. "We have a contract, you know. I can't just stay away from you."

"I'll need more time before I can get complete freedom," Lelouch said. "Villetta can't be affected by my Geass, and I'm not ready to attempt an insurrection with Suzaku in the picture. At the very least, don't you dare contact me at night."

"What, because you'll be too busy with Suzaku?" C.C. rolled her eyes. "But fine. I don't want to hear that anyway."

"Perfect, so —"

"I have news though. About the Geass Order and Charles and Nunnally."

Lelouch froze.

"The Geass Order has been more active under V.V.," C.C. continued. "Charles has some plan called Ragnarok. I'm not sure what exactly that means, but it's not good."

"What about Nunnally?" Lelouch asked. "Where is she?"

"Nunnally is alive in Pendragon, being treated like a princess," C.C responded. "You can worry about rescuing her later. I don't think the royals will harm her."

Lelouch hissed out a breath. "Alright … Good," he said. "As for the Order, where are they stationed? Do you know what their goals are?"

"I don't know much, only that they could send an assassin named Rolo after you. And that the base is in the Chinese Federation," C.C replied.

"The Chinese Federation, huh …" Lelouch paused, the wheels of his plan turning, and helped C.C. out of her bindings. He hesitated before releasing her, a hand around her wrist. "I'm going to assume my position as Zero soon, so please go back to hiding. I promise I haven't forgotten my debt to you."

C.C. gave him a look. Alright. She would go back into hiding. For now. But if he took too long, she'd be back. C.C. crossed her arms, ignoring the sting where the duct tape had been. "Fine, I'll hide. But I want more pizza before I leave."

"Have all you like. If you got in, you can get out. Just don't let Villetta or her guards catch you. I have a list of people on the team, so if you see anyone that looks like this —" Lelouch pulled up a file on his phone showing the members of the OSI, "— then turn the other way and get yourself out of there. I'm not going to save you if you get caught."

C.C shrugged, but she understood. She walked past Lelouch, heading out the unlocked back doors. We'll see what happens.

o-o-o

That went better than I thought. Lelouch dug around a box for some extra party poppers, kicked aside Kallen's costume and the duct tape, and went to find Milly. He texted Suzaku.

[Lelouch]: Is Kallen okay?

Suzaku had tried to take Kallen to the nurse, but she said she felt better, so instead he ended up taking her to help out in the student council room. His phone beeped, and he checked it.

[Suzaku]: Yeah, she's feeling better. Hanging out in Student Council room.

[Lelouch]: I'll meet you there. I gave some supplies to Milly. The festival is going really well.

Suzaku smiled as he read the message, knowing that everything with C.C. had worked out fine.

[Suzaku]: Alright, can't wait to see you!