Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
The orange tinted sky was a beautiful sight before him as he took the chance to study this world. He heard footsteps behind him but didn't turn around as he already knew who it was.
"You called for me, Charles?" A childish young male voice asked.
"I was just in contact with Clovis and he's told me some interesting news. We have a new piece on the board."
"Oh? And who would that be?"
"Lelouch." A female voice, just as young as the first voice answered.
"He killed Clovis?" The boy asked, slightly surprised but remained calm. "So he's managed to survive after all."
"He did and he was given a Geass by C.C." Charles answered, smirking. "She managed to escape Clovis and Bartley."
"So she's probably hiding out with him. It makes sense since C.C. has shown an interest in Lelouch since the day he was born. What does not make sense is the fact that I have been unable to contact C.C. for months, long before she met Lelouch." The girl frowned. "It's as if she was able to sever our connection."
"So, you believe that she might have decided to abandon our contract. Then we can no longer confirm if she's in Area 11 or not." Charles frowned.
"Yes." The girl nodded, sharing Charles's unease.
Aside from his lover's ability to speak to C.C. through their link Charles should have been able to sense C.C.'s Code through the all knowing presence of C's World. However a few months ago something happened. He could almost literally hear C's World screaming as C.C.'s Code vanished but a part of somehow remained as C.C. couldn't have given Lelouch a Geass without her Code. That wasn't the strangest part though.
As if that wasn't bad enough he later learned from V.V. that the Sword of Akasha had been severally damaged by a pulse of energy around the same time he felt C.C.'s Code vanish. His brother had been working day and night to understand what happened they both knew that the boy that had been with C.C. was responsible. Then there was a similar energy pulse that while was non-threatening to the Sword of Akasha and the repair team it was a becoming a concern to their plans. And he remembered seeing those eyes…
As he watched C's World the golden light showed him a pair of eyes, eyes with multiple rings surrounding the tiny black pupil with a purple sclera, and the Geass symbol flashing violet instead of the signature that all Geass users show when they activate their Geass under the pupil that made those eyes all the more fierce with their piercing stare.
'What sort of power can destroy an immortal's Code but allow them to continue granting Geass to anyone? If C.C.'s Code is gone our plan will be in ruins unless we can find another Code bearer but even if I can learn if there is another out there it will take a long time to find them.' Charles thought.
He had no idea how many Codes existed in the world thanks to direct contact with C's World but he always believed there more than two. The first beings to make contact with C's World gained the first Geass which later evolved into the Code, granting immortality and the power to grant Geass onto others. Various leaders well known throughout history relied on the power of Geass to become kings, queens, and famous leaders that were renowned throughout history. The Code would transfer from host to host once a Geass was fully evolved, allowing the user to take the Code from the one who granted them the Power of the King.
A Code Bearer was considered to be immortal and the Power of the Code was considered to be indestructible. After all the Code was what connected mortals to the Collective Unconscious Mind of Humanity itself, allowing its hosts to become immortal and grant Geass, the Power of Absolute Immortality itself. So what is strong enough that it could destroy a power thought to be indestructible? Charles shook his head when he saw the boy was about to speak.
"Perhaps it's the work of the boy Bartley captured in India." The girl suggested. "We never did discover who he was or where he came from."
"That strange boy escaped after slaughtering the staff there showed some strange power. Perhaps she gave him a Geass but didn't have time to rescue C.C." The boy commented. "If she made a contract with him perhaps she decided that we should not know about him, given his strange abilities. It's possible her attempt to give him a Geass has unseen affects."
"C.C. was stolen by Eleven Terrorists who thought they were stealing poisonous gas. I do not know how Lelouch got involved but she must have forged a contract with him and he was the one who defeated Clovis's force in Shinjuku. Those two strange Knightmares that defeated Schnizel's toy being there were likely sneaked into Area 11 by Kyoto but they will be useful to Lelouch." Charles spoke, memorizing everything he had learned from Clovis perfectly. "Lelouch used his Geass on Clovis to learn about what happened that night eight years ago."
"He can read minds?" The boy asked.
"No. He has the power to command anyone to do what he wants from what I saw inside Clovis's mind." Charles smirked.
"The power to control people's wills." The girl smirked. "As expected of my son."
"And now he'll use it to take revenge on you since he blames you for that night." The boy continued, ignoring the girl twitching an eyebrow.
"He will. He won't stop until he has answers, revenge, and ensured Nunnally is safe." The girl replied, looking to Charles. "C.C. obviously has no intention of telling him the truth which will serve to our advantage."
"Especially as Lelouch will try to gather support for himself as Zero." Charles smirked. "He already put his Geass to good use when he rescued the Honorary Eleven and humiliated Jeremiah Gottwald."
"Poor Jeremy. He was so nice to my children when they were growing up. My boy can be so cruel sometimes." The girl sighed.
"And there are the two advanced Knightmares. There is no doubt that one of them is C.C." Charles continued. "They defeated Schnizel's pet project quite easily. It's obvious that they have found someone with the resources and skills to build Knightmares this advanced."
"So who did you send as the new viceroy, Charles?" The boy smirked. "Not Schniezel, he'd figure out Zero is Lelouch and realize Nunnally wouldn't be too far, thus forcing C.C. to flee and hide herself when he comes after them. Not Carine, she's too violent loving and would send Area 11 right into Lelouch's hand. Guinevere? Odysseus?"
"Cornelia and Euphemia." Charles answered.
"Lelouch's favorite sisters next to Nunnally." The girl smiled. "A brilliant idea Charles. Lelouch's intellect will be defeated by his own arrogance and Cornelia's experience and tactics. And he would never raise his hand against sweet little Euphie."
"In addition we shall learn more about those Knightmares and the pilots my son has gained as allies as Lelouch fights against Cornelia and her knights." Charles grinned. "Not to mention Cornelia's own feelings towards the particular Area."
"Lelouch will act quick to stop her as she resorts to luring Zero out of hiding." The girl commented. "Well, let us see if our son can handle fighting his dear sisters."
"Yes. Let's see what he will and we will send someone else to gain intelligence on C.C.'s new contractor." Charles looked at the boy. "Vincent, I have need of one of your underlings."
When Lelouch sat down in class he didn't expect a lot to happen. He would sit down, listen to the lecture, do some activities (non-physical) and then turn in because he had some more research to do. When the teacher said they would be getting a new student he didn't think much of it. When he looked up, if only to see who the new student was, his eyes widened in disbelief and wondered if he was dreaming.
There was no way the boy standing in front of the class wearing uniform of Ashford Academy was his old and best friend Suzaku Kururugi.
He was shocked when he found Suzaku was still alive, almost speechless when he found out Suzaku was an Honorary Britannian and now he was absolutely floored to see Suzaku was now attending the same school as him.
"That's the Eleven that killed Prince Clovis."
"No. That was Zero."
"Why is an Eleven here?"
Lelouch had to listen to this for an entire day before class was finally over and Lelouch wanted some answers. When he was sure Suzaku was watching him Lelouch adjusted the collar of his shirt and then walked off.
'Hopefully he remembers the old codes.'
He wasn't disappointed as minutes later he was meeting Suzaku on the roof.
"Seven years since we used that signal." Lelouch said as he turned around and saw Suzaku behind him. "Long time huh?"
"Meeting on the roof. Just like the old days. I'm glad to see you okay." Suzaku leaned against the railing. "I've been worried."
"Alive and kicking, thanks to you." Lelouch smiled. "You haven't changed much. Worrying about me when you're the one who took a bullet. Worry about yourself for a change."
"Just repaying the favor you did for me seven years ago. What about the girl from the capsule? What happened to her?"
"I don't really know. We got separated pretty quickly." Lelouch chuckled, hoping that Suzaku wouldn't see C.C. before he could come up with some sort of plan. "But you would know more about then me, right?"
"No. The only ones who knew anything were the Royal Guard." Suzaku answered.
Lelouch didn't say anything but was relieved. 'So, no chance of anyone outside of me anyone else to learn about C.C.'s capable of.'
"What about you? Do I call you Lelouch or do you go by a different name nowadays?" Suzaku changed the subject.
"Officially Lelouch vi Britannia and his sister died during the invasion. I go by the name, Lelouch Lamperouge now." Lelouch answered. "And you, what happened at your court martial and why did you enroll in this school?"
"I'm just as surprised as you are. What are the odds we'd be attending the same school? Truth is someone arranged for me to receive a proper investigation and decided I needed a proper education and that person said that a seventeen year old should be in school."
Princess Euphemia looked at each and every painting on the wall, taking in their flawless work and stopping on a painting of three very familiar people now gone from her life. 'Lady Marianne… Nunnally… Lelouch.'
"Were all of these painted by Clovis?" She asked her aid.
"Yes."
She reached out and touched one of the paintings. "Such gentle colors. Very much akin to my brother."
Britannian Panther tanks rolled up to the base of the mountain on all sides, cutting off any form of escape as they traded fire with the turrets of the mountain fortress's defense.
"Sir, we've managed to pinpoint the Gorillas' base."
"Excellent. Transmit that information to Viceroy Cornelia." General Andrea Darlton commanded.
Cornelia moved up the other side of the mountain by taking a wide path and went up the north slope. Her Gloucester sped down the mountain, lashing out with her assault rifle against the inexperienced Japanese resistant fighters as they tried to shoot her.
"Relics of a forgotten age." Cornelia scoffed.
She easily destroyed three turrets without suffering a single scratch before landing her Gloucester on an abandoned railway track.
"This will take me to their main base, correct?"
" Yes, Your Highness. Shall we accompany you? " Darlton asked.
"No need Darlton, not for this pathetic resistance."
" Understood your Highness. "
She followed the tracks into a large circular room that served as the center of the base. "If you Elevens got on your knees and beg for mercy I might let you live."
Her offer was answered with a thousand cries. "DOWN WITH BRITANNIA!"
"Fine then. Die you worms." Cornelia raised her rifle and pulled the trigger.
As this happened a butterfly landed on the Gloucester's shoulder. This might not be considered weird, if anyone overlooked the six green insect wings looking like tails and the seventh one at the end.
" Your Zero has gone and stirred up the hornet's nest ." Rakshata smirked as she held her pipe. " Cornelia li Britannia has been attacking all known locations harboring resistance groups ever since she arrived in Area 11. "
"She's looking for Zero." Naruto leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. "It's obvious she believes Zero is colluding with resistance groups to try and build an army."
" Good luck trying to build an army after Cornelia's done. Our sources say she's already begun her attack on three known resistant groups. " Rakshata remarked.
"All smokescreens to lure out Zero." C.C. commented. "She's not like Clovis. She actually knows how to fight a war."
"Meaning Lelouch will soon rise to the challenge." Naruto looked out the window and saw Lelouch approaching with someone else. "Oh boy. What is that idiot up to now?"
"Hm?" C.C. walked over the window. "So, he's playing host tonight."
"For such a cold bastard at times he lets his personal feelings get to him." Naruto smirked. "Well, this will be fun."
Lelouch walked into the room a moment later.
"Listen, Suzaku cannot know about you two. If sees you together he'll be suspicious." Lelouch said, getting to the point.
"Inviting everyone to dinner but us, Lelouch? How cruel of you." C.C. commented with a grin. "You're not going to introduce us?"
"You can either stay in room or go out for the night." Lelouch replied as he started to close the door.
"Don't worry. We already have it covered." Naruto assured him, though Lelouch couldn't help but wonder what they were up to this time.
"Hi, Lelouch. I've returned home." Nunnally called out as Sayoko wheeled her into the dining room.
"Hi there." Lelouch put the book he was reading down as he stood up. "Welcome back, Miss Sayoko. I've got a special present for you today."
"Really? What can it be?" Nunnally asked eagerly.
Gifts from her brother were always the best.
Lelouch smiled as he put a finger on his lips, looking at Sayoko who looked confused. He looked over and gestured someone to come out. Sayoko followed his gaze and watched as Suzaku quietly came out and walked up to Nunnally. The girl looked up at Suzaku with confusion on her face while Suzaku glanced at Lelouch who nodded and knelt down, grasping Nunnally's hand.
Nunnally gasped for a second before reaching out and feeling the hand holding hers as tears came out of her eyes. "This hand… Thank Heavens! I knew it! I knew you'd be all right!"
"It's been a long time, Nunnally." Suzaku whispered, happy to see her again. "You can see."
"I know. I'm so happy." Nunnally cried as both boy smiled with her.
"So tell me, you will stay the night will you?" Nunnally asked as they finished dinner.
"Suzaku's enrolled at Ashford Academy now. So you can see him anytime you want to." Lelouch answered.
"Is that true?" Nunnally asked happily.
"Well I still have military duties so I can't be here every day." Suzaku answered.
"Oh dear. You're still in the military?" Nunnally happy smile quickly turned sad.
"Don't worry. I've been reassigned to Engineering Corps. It's a lot less dangerous." Suzaku quickly reassured her.
"Cool. Engineering huh?" Lelouch said as he started cleaning up the table.
"Oh. Let me help you." Suzaku stood up.
"You just sit down. Unlike seven years ago we get to be your hosts now." Lelouch said with a smile at the look on Suzaku's face. "It's funny. You're a lot more mellow than you used to be."
"And you're a bit more rough." Suzaku sat back down.
Lelouch chuckled as he walked into the kitchen. Of course as soon as he got there he realized the good times might come to an end.
"I told you both to stay in my room or go somewhere else." Lelouch stated, annoyed that they didn't do as he asked.
"I told you, we got it covered." Naruto shrugged as he took the tea pot to pour into his own cup. "Plus we were curious. After all you risked a lot to save him."
"Don't worry about it." Lelouch looked away. "He's a friend… from the past."
"So how is Mister White Knight?" C.C. asked.
"Why do you call him that?" Lelouch asked as Naruto poured a drink for C.C.
"Because that's what he is. He is determined to do what he believes is the right thing, even if he hurts himself in the process. He refuses to dirty his hands even if it means to help his cause." C.C. explained.
"And how do you know this? Is this another power your Rinnegan is capable of? And why didn't he recognize you yet? He must have seen you by now." Lelouch questioned.
"He saw me but as you can see my Rinnegan was able to fool him into believing I'm someone else." C.C. sipped her tea and noticed Lelouch frowning. "You don't approve? Your Geass forces people to obey your commands no matter what."
"I use my Geass against my enemies or people that either suspect me or have only on use to me, no one else." Lelouch retorted.
"And since Suzaku is with the military, Engineering Corps or not he's technically an enemy that I have fooled." C.C. retorted.
"I can also sense his emotions so I know what kind of person he is and when he is lying. There's more to his job than he's saying." Naruto spoke up. "There is also the matter of the new Viceroy, Cornelia who has been wiping out resistance groups since she arrived. She's on Zero's trail like a bloodhound."
"Yes, I've heard. If she believes Zero is recruiting Elevens no doubt she believes that the resistance groups will be working with him." Lelouch said as he turned to the door. "I'll look into this later. This is not the time."
He left Naruto and C.C. in the kitchen.
"That voice." Naruto narrowed one eye. "I know that voice."
"You should come by again. Nunnally would enjoy it." Lelouch escorted Suzaku to the door.
"Sure but…" Lelouch noticed the strange look on Suzaku's face. "Lelouch, I-I don't think we should be seen together at school."
"What do you mean?" Lelouch asked, surprised at hearing such a thing.
"Think, how would you explain it? Being friends with an Honorary Britannian? We have to guard your secret. No one can know you're royalty." Suzaku explained, making Lelouch flinch. "And the same goes for Nunnally. I don't want to cause any trouble."
"Doing it again, huh? Everyone's needs but your own?" Lelouch asked, getting angry.
"Again?" Suzaku asked.
"Forget it." Lelouch looked away.
"Huh… Thanks for having me. It was a lot of fun. I'll-uh-see you later." Suzaku turned around, sensing thing were getting tense. "I'm so glad you know. I thought we'd never get another chance… to talk like this."
"No doubt." Naruto said as they watched Suzaku leave. "That's the same voice the pilot in the white Knightmare had."
"So, Lelouch's best friend-" C.C. started.
"Might be his worst enemy." Naruto stated with a sigh. "Déjà vu much anyone?"
When Suzaku was gone C.C. turned to Naruto. "He doesn't want to believe his friend is a possible enemy."
"One of the only friends in the land he was exiled to, can you blame him?" Naruto rhetorically asked.
"Perhaps not but still if he wants to become the leader he plans to be he will have to face the harsh truth." C.C. pointed out.
"Like a few you still wish to hide from him?" Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"The truth must come out slowly when he's ready." C.C. calmly answered.
The next day was not easy for either Suzaku or Lelouch. One good thing was that even though Suzaku saw C.C. or rather C.C. he didn't recognize her for some reason. That was because before Suzaku had left C.C. had put a genjutsu on him so she would appear as a completely different person to him.
Then there was the other news.
" It hasn't made the news yet but the Blood of the Samurai faction was wiped out by Cornelia. They were the largest group we had in Central Japan. Look, Zero, it won't be long until she comes after us. "
"Just keep your head. Our chance will come." Lelouch stood near a window on the stair way with his phone so no one would see or hear him.
" But- "
"Sit tight. I'll contact you later." Lelouch hung up. 'He's getting too overly familiar. Maybe I better cut my ties with them.'
He looked out the window and saw Suzaku cleaning a shirt that had been spray painted.
GO BACK TO YOUR GHETTO FILTHY ELEVEN
Lelouch flinched, upset that his friend was being treated like this.
"That'll show that filthy Eleven."
"Maybe he'll leave and go back where he belongs."
Naruto narrowed his eyes as he spotted two students walking down the hall with a spray paint can in the left one's hand. 'Idiots. I think it's time to knock them onto their obnoxious asses.'
When they entered their class room they were greeted with everyone staring at them.
"Hey guys. You finally decided to join us." A student commented with a weird look. "You were done with your… business?"
"What do you mean?"
He held out a picture that made both of them step back in shock. It was a picture of both boys making out…
"WHAT?! What the hell is this?!"
"We didn't do that!"
Naruto smirked at the screaming students.
"You know, I admit I'm not the calmest person on the planet." Naruto started. "But all of this 'Eleven' bullshit is really starting to annoy me."
"It can't be helped." Lelouch said as he put his Zero costume into the large briefcase, even though he was just as upset with the way Suzaku was being treated as Naruto probably was.
The door opened and C.C. came in with another box of pizza. "Trying to hide your mask huh?"
"Unlike my Geass and your Rinnegan the mask is a physical case of evidence." Lelouch put the helmet in the case.
"And we wouldn't want Suzaku or any student to see that now would we?" Naruto rhetorically asked as the door opened.
"All right, Lelouch. The tea is ready when you are." Nunnally said as she sniffed the air and saw the box in C.C.'s arms. "That smell? Hey, did you order pizza for Tsunade again?"
"I'm racking up reward points." Lelouch quickly answered as C.C. opened the box and began devouring the nearest slice. "I'll be right down okay."
"Lelouch." Nunnally said with a funny grin. "Maybe you should have Tsunade cut down on the pizza. You don't want her to get a blubbery belly."
"Yeah, C.C.. Wouldn't want your beautiful form looking like a beached whale would we?" Naruto snickered as C.C. pouted.
"Just don't touch," Lelouch said in a double edged tone directed at C.C. and Naruto, telling them not to touch his mask. "Or rub it, okay?"
"Oh scary." Nunnally giggled as she and Lelouch left the room and shutting the door.
"Not a single amount of humor in him." Naruto sighed.
He would have said more but he looked at the case when he heard a sound and his eyes widened when saw something familiar.
"What is-huh?" C.C. looked back as she heard the case fall on the ground and the sound of a cat meowing.
The cat moved past her as it walked down the hall and the door closed.
"What the heck?" C.C. looked at Naruto who was snickering. "Naruto, what's-"
"Meow." A cat's meow was heard from the living room.
"Was that-" C.C. started.
"Yep." Naruto answered.
"With-"
"Uh-uh." Naruto nodded and grinned. "Matatabi was right to bring that cat here. This is going to be funny."
' And who said cats had no sense of humor? ' Kurama snickered.
"Naruto," C.C. frowned at him. "I can't believe you would play such a horrible little trick on Lelouch… without me!"
Naruto had to laugh at the pout C.C. was now sporting. "Sorry, I'll let you in next time."
"You'd better." C.C. smirked at the sound Lelouch shouting from the dining room.
"Hey! Give that back!" Lelouch shouted.
"Our resident genius and master of miracles outsmarted by a cat." Naruto laughed.
Naruto and C.C. watched as Arthur jumped out the balcony and landed perfectly on the ground, wearing Zero's mask over its face with Matatabi in her disguise, waiting for him. They took off running as Lelouch came onto the deck. The cat came into the dining room, wearing Zero's mask and caused Lelouch to jump out of his seat.
Thankfully Nunnally didn't see the mask but Lelouch should consider himself very lucky that the cat ran off before she got a good look at it.
"Come back here! A cat. A stupid little cat! You've got to be kidding me!" Lelouch said as he climbed over the railing and jumped down. "There's no way I'm getting exposed by a pair of lousy felines!"
"He says it like he can actually catch up when he's got the stamina of a one year old." Naruto snickered. "And now they'll both make it difficult for him."
"Naruto? Tsunade?" Nunnally rolled into the room. "I think something's wrong with Lelouch."
"Really? Like what?" C.C. asked with a small grin.
"Yeah that's right. I think a cat ran off with something pretty important to him." Nunnally explained to Nina, Shirley, and Rivalz.
"Important?" Milly asked.
"I'm not sure what exactly but I'm positive it was something of value to him." Nunnally stated with a worried look on her face. "Because I've never heard my brother sound like that. He was completely hysterical."
"That's weird. What could be so important to the guy?" Rivalz wondered.
"A love letter?" Nina offered.
"An embarrassing photo?" Milly put a finger to her chin in thought.
"Poetry he wrote?" Rivalz threw in his own idea.
"Poetry?" Nunnally asked, knowing that Lelouch was not interested in that kind of stuff.
She didn't notice Milly and Rivalz sharing an eager look.
"What about Naruto and Tsunade? Do you guys know what the cat's got?" Milly looked at the two of them as they watched the conversation.
"Got me." Naruto shrugged. "It's not like he shares any big secrets with us."
"Leave it to us then. We'll get out hands on this thing before Lelouch has a chance to blink." Milly grinned mischievously as she gave Nunnally a thumb's up. "Just you wait."
'Now he's in for it.' Naruto and C.C. thought with identical smirks.
'If I had those terrorists with me, we could encircle the enemy.' Lelouch followed the cat out onto the courtyard and looked around for the cat. 'Maybe Kallen. No, she's suspicious of me as it is. Where Naruto and C.C.? They should be helping me… unless.' Lelouch looked up and saw the cats running down the roof of the clubhouse. 'Naruto, you bastard! This is your cat isn't it?!'
He followed after the cat but tripped and fell into a bush a second later. The cat jumped and landed on the ground and ran past Lelouch who got back up.
"Get it together." Lelouch muttered as he chased after the cat into the school, almost having a heart attack as it ran past a few students.
"What's up with that cat?" A girl asked as the cat stopped next to them, shaking its masked head.
"Is that the mask Zero wears or am I crazy?" Another girl asked as the cat ran down a corner.
"No way. Why would it be here?"
Lelouch ran up to them, stopping when he heard them.
"You two saw it?" He quickly activated his Geass. "Forget everything you've just seen."
His Geass took hold of the two girls as red rings encircled their eyes. "Sure. No problem at all."
"Good." Lelouch turned and chased after the cat.
He was not out of the woods yet as just as he spotted the cat he heard Milly's voice over the P.A. system. " This is Milly Ashford your Student Council President, cat hunt everybody!"
Those words made Lelouch almost freeze.
"Cat hunt?" Suzaku looked from his home work.
"There's a loose cat on the campus that needs to be rounded up so put everything on hold people. Participating clubs will get budget priority and whoever catches our feline friend will get an extra special surprise, a big old kiss from one of the members of the Council! "
Naruto and C.C. looked at each other as Milly finished with a devious laugh. "Members of the Council?"
"Wow, that Milly is very devious." Naruto grinned. "This just got a whole lot interesting."
Shirley was about to take a dive in the pool when she heard the announcement and fell off the diving board.
When Kallen heard the announcement she froze. "Members of the Council? Wait, like me!?"
It didn't help that boys came out of the bushes, talking about what kind of kiss they would get from her before running off to find the cat.
"There is no way this how I am going to get my first kiss!" Kallen said as she took off, forgetting she was supposed to act sick and feeble so no one would suspect her.
"What? From a member of the Student Council?" A girl asked.
"Does that include Lelouch?" Almost all the girls giggled except one.
"Actually I would prefer Milly."
"Why do you have to be so different?" The rest of the girls looked at her with freaked out looks.
" And when you do catch that cat, bring whatever it's carrying to me, to me, to ME! " Milly laughed as she ended the announcement but ended up coughing from the lack of breath.
"Milly, stay out of this will you?" Lelouch grumbled.
"Offering up people as prizes. This is why I hate Britannians." Kallen complained as she ran through the hall but stopped when she spotted a pair of girls walking up to her and quickly resumed her sickly act as they walked past her. The second the coast was clear she took off running again. "Damn. Why do I have to pretend like I'm sick and feeble?"
She ran around the corner and accidentally bumped into somebody.
Kallen stepped back, quickly putting back on her mask. "Geez, I'm sorry about that- Shirley, why are you dressed like that?"
In front of her was Shirley wearing a swimsuit. "I didn't have time to change; they're going to make us kiss somebody. We've got to hurry."
"I'm with you." Kallen nodded in complete agreement.
It turned out a source of great entertainment for Naruto and C.C. as the cat outsmarted and evaded every student on the campus.
"By Kami, all it takes is one cat and everyone's got nuts." Naruto laughed. "This just way too easy!"
Matatabi helped out by using genjutsu on over a dozen students when they thought they had caught the cat Milly was talking about. This led to people pilling on each other in the dirt, catching each other with their own nets, and both Naruto and C.C. laughed when they saw a student land on another, kissing them straight on the lips.
"Nunnally, is there anything about this cat that's special?" Nina asked as Milly took a sip of water and held the microphone to Nunnally.
"Hm… I think that its leg must be hurt because even though I didn't get a good look at it its footsteps sounded off to me. And huh… Oh! I almost forgot. It meowed like this." Nunnally took a deep breath.
" MEOW! "
Nunnally's meow caused dozens of cheers and shouts through the school.
"They really know how to work a crowd." C.C. commented as she and Naruto watched from the roof.
"They can try but they'll never catch the cat." Naruto said, knowing how smart both cats were.
Matatabi said that the cat figured out she was not an ordinary cat when they first met and didn't run in terror.
"Okay!" Milly ran out and hopped onto the passenger seat of Rivalz's motorcycle. "Let's go!"
"What happens if a member of the Student Council catches the cat? We don't get a prize do we?" Rivalz asked as he looked at Milly's lips.
"Do we get a kiss?" Milly smirked up at Rivalz as she put on the helmet. "But of course."
"Is that so?" Rivalz said as he started the engine. "Well what are we waiting around for then? This is my day to shine!"
The motorcycle sped off, kicking up dust everywhere.
"Hey! No speeding on campus!" A teacher shouted.
"Meow!" Matatabi ran into an open box and hissed as two girls cornered her.
"Okay, we do this right and our lips will be safe." Kallen whispered to Shirley. "Shirley you cover the rear."
Shirley looked at Kallen and noticed the determined look on her face that didn't seem to fit the quiet and sickly girl she knew. "Wait a sec!"
"Uh?" Kallen turned and looked at her. "What's the matter?"
"Who would you want to get a kiss from?" Shirley asked anxiously. "Is there anyone in particular?"
"Huh?" Kallen gasped in confusion and shock from hearing such a question..
"It wouldn't be Lulu would it?" Shirley continued questioning.
"Huh? Just what would make you think that?" Kallen asked incredulously.
"Oh well… I guess…" Shirley trailed off blushing.
Neither girl noticed the cat sneaking past them. 'Too easy.'
Arthur ran into the open window the school's bell tower and he made sure he was spotted. He liked playing with his new friend and her human slaves that took him in and didn't pass up the chance to have fun with them.
"Hey that's…" Suzaku started running to the stairs leading up to the top.
"Suzaku!?"
The brunette stopped as Lelouch did at the same time. "Lelouch, you're looking for the cat too?"
"Meow!" A sudden meow from the top caught their attention. "Meow!"
"Up there." Suzaku said as he turned to the stairs.
"Suzaku wait!" Lelouch called out as he followed his friend. "Don't go up there!"
"But the Student Council President said catch it." Suzaku said without stop.
"Don't worry about it. I'll get the cat!" Lelouch quickly said.
"I was always more agile than you. Remember when that little bird got loose?"
"Quit talking ancient history!"
"It was only seven years ago."
"Oh for Pete's sake." Lelouch was gasping for air. "He always was an exercise nut."
Rivalz stopped his motorcycle in front of the bell tower where everyone else was waiting.
"So someone's got it cornered huh?" Milly hopped out of her seat as Nina rolled Nunnally up to the front of the group. "Who's the lucky winner?"
"Up there!" Shirley pointed to the open window below the bell.
They all could see someone climbing up to the bell.
"Suzaku?" Shirley asked.
"Easy now." Suzaku said when he saw the cat sitting under the bell. "You don't have to be scared."
"Suzaku!" Lelouch came out of the window. "Come back!"
"It's all right." Suzaku said, thinking Lelouch was worried about him. "Leave this to me."
'That's funny. He never went along with the crowd like this.' Lelouch thought as he tried to climb after Suzaku.
Of course Lelouch wasn't good at physical exercises and it showed as he slipped and started sliding back. "Gah!"
Down below almost everyone gasped as Lelouch slid down to the edge while Suzaku turned when he heard the commotion. "Huh? Lelouch!"
He quickly turned around and slid back down in a crouch position, grabbing the edge of the opened window and quickly reached out to grab Lelouch's hand just in time. "Are you okay?"
"Y-yeah." Lelouch shakily answered.
"Is it possible those two are…" Nina trailed off as they all watched.
As Suzaku helped him back up Lelouch spotted the cat shake the mask off his head and look down at him with a mischievous grin as he meowed. Lelouch sighed in relief as the mask slid down and landed on the other end where no one would see it.
"Pretty calm for someone on the verge of death." Suzaku commented as he tried to pull Lelouch back up.
"Yeah right. I was just limp with fear." Lelouch answered back with smile.
Suzaku tried to pull himself back up to the opened window but he noticed his hand was slipping. He had been covered in sweat from chasing the cat and hadn't been paying attention.
"Suzaku, what's-" Lelouch and Suzaku both cried out as Suzaku's hands slipped off and they both began sliding down to the edge of the roof.
"Oh no!" Nunnally, Rivalz, Shirley, and Milly cried.
Lucky for them a hand reached out and grabbed Suzaku's hand, stopping them from slipping and falling off.
"Boy, you guys really don't pay attention, do you?" They both looked up to see Naruto holding Suzaku's hand with a foxy smile on his face.
Everyone was silent as they all watched Suzaku come out with the cat in his arms. "It's the same cat from the other day."
The cat hissed silently but did nothing as Suzaku stopped and saw everyone staring at him.
When Shirley noticed everyone was quiet she quickly took the initiative and walked up to Suzaku with a smile. "You saved him. Thank you so much Suzaku."
"Yeah, way to go there new guy." Rivalz agreed.
"That cat was carrying something wasn't it?" Milly asked eagerly.
"Yeah. There was something on its head but I never really got a good look at it." Suzaku answered sheepishly. "Guess it slipped off when I wasn't looking."
"So where is Lulu?" Shirley asked.
"He said he forgot something. Told me to go ahead." Suzaku answered, looking back at the stairs.
"That's it!" Milly exclaimed. "The embarrassing secret that he's hiding."
"So that's it Madam President?" Everyone turned to see Lelouch come out of the shadows.
Milly groaned. "After all this time I thought I finally had some dirt on you."
"Yeah. He almost lost his cool for once." Shirley sighed in agreement.
Suzaku smiled at Lelouch who glanced at him.
"So, uh, do you two know each other then?" Kallen asked.
Both of them stiffened at the sudden question.
"Yeah, but he's an Eleven." Nina said, shaking slightly.
"So what?" Everyone turned and saw Naruto and C.C. walking towards them, coming out from behind the shadows like Lelouch did with Matatabi in C.C.'s arms. "Don't matter that much to me. Would you rather he didn't have a so-called Eleven around to save his life and stop him from falling to his death?"
"Uh, I-I mean…" Nina trailed off.
"Hey, that's other cat that was with this one!" Suzaku realized.
"You mean Matatabi here?" C.C. asked curiously as she looked down at the female cat. "She's our cat but she likes to wander off because even if she has a house she's still a little feral."
"Matatabi?" Kallen asked curiously at the Japanese name.
"Yes. Naruto's grandfather named her." C.C. answered simply. "But we're getting off track. After all, Lelouch, everyone is wondering if you're friends with the Honorary Britannian that just saved your life."
"He's my friend." Lelouch answered, making everyone look at him as he took advantage of the opening C.C. gave him. "Madam President, would you permit him as a member of the Student Council?"
"Huh?" Everyone looked in confusion.
"The rules are clear. All students are required to join a club." Lelouch said with a blank look on his face. "All though…"
Everyone looked at Milly who thought it over. "Well you are the Vice-President. I suppose I can't refuse."
Shirley, Rivalz, and even Kallen smiled at Milly's answer.
"Well, I guess that's the end of that." Nunnally wheeled forward. "Now come here you two. Give me an ear. You too Naruto."
"Uh?" The three looked at each other in confusion but stepped forward and leaned down where Nunnally quickly kissed them on the cheek.
"Uh-Nunnally?" Suzaku asked as they stood up.
"There you go, you two. The reward as Milly promised. Since you both caught the cat and Naruto saved you both you'll have to settle for me, almost a real council member." Nunnally said causing Naruto to chuckle.
Nunnally really was a pure soul.
"All right then, let's celebrate the catching on the cat. Everything's on the new guy naturally." Rivalz pumped a fist in the air.
"Oh back off!" Shirley said as she turned to Suzaku. "Hi there, I'm Shirley. Pleasure to meet you."
"Oh right. I'm Rivalz." Rivalz introduced himself.
"Milly Ashford. Student Council President." Milly continued.
"Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto added.
"Tsunade Senju." C.C. nodded.
Lelouch was afraid Suzaku would still recognize C.C. but he didn't seem to. "The pleasure is mine."
Lelouch managed to retrieve the mask and he was sure to make his displeasure known to Naruto and C.C. as he returned. By this time the temporary body Naruto made for Matatabi vanished into a puff of smoke. Naruto had discovered he could use the Shadow Clone Jutsu to make temporary bodies for the Biju inside of him by transferring their chakra into the Shadow Clone, allowing them control it like a puppet.
"Your cat nearly exposed me, Uzumaki." Lelouch growled as he put the mask away. "You tell me not to treat war like a game but you're the one who seems to taking this less seriously than I am."
"Don't blame me, Lelouch. The idea that you left your mask out for a cat to steal is punishment for leaving it out to be stolen in the first place." Naruto finished another bowel of Ramen. "Imagine if Suzaku or someone else came upon that mask."
Lelouch grunted as he closed the case. "If my secret is discovered so is yours."
"Relax, Matatabi and Arthur wouldn't have done anything to blow your secret so relax." Naruto said, not affected by Lelouch's glare.
"And how do you know that?" Lelouch asked rhetorically. "Is that cat another talking animal of yours?"
"Nope, Arthur's just a smarter than your average cat that is a friend Matatabi made." Naruto answered simple with a smirk.
Lelouch knew he wouldn't get anywhere with trying to intimidate Naruto so he let it go but he'd make sure none of Naruto's pets would get his mask again.
Good luck with that.
When school was over Suzaku was greeted with a party as he was invited to join the Student Council. C.C. eyed the pizza on the table that Milly ordered since she found out how fast how much she liked pizza while everyone else enjoyed simple discussions or snacks as they welcomed Suzaku.
Except for one.
Naruto noticed Nina facing the computer, not even glancing over her shoulder to take part in the party.
'This could be a problem.' Naruto thought.
' What a weakling. Scared of a measly boy who is more of a danger to himself. ' Kurama grumbled.
Naruto sighed and walked over to Nina. "Hello?"
"Huh?!" Nina gasped as she looked up at Naruto. "So-sorry. Was I t-too loud?"
"Not at all. Just wondering why you're here and not partying with the rest of us." Naruto answered.
"We-well I-I have a lot of wo-work to do." Nina answered, shaking a bit.
"Really? After a whole day of chasing after a crazy cat you want to work rather than rest?" Naruto raised one eyebrow.
"We-well-"
"You do know it could be seen as a little rude if you keep your back to everyone person who joins the Student Council. After all, Suzaku did save the Vice-President from falling to his death." Naruto pointed out.
"I-I know, but… He's…" Nina trailed off.
By this point everyone was looking at them.
"He's what? I'm drawing a blank." Naruto said.
"Maybe she thinks he's cute." C.C. offered.
"Wh-WHAT?!" Nina gasped.
"Or it's something else." C.C. shrugged as she stole another slice of pizza.
"It's not th-that!" Nina exclaimed. "It's…"
"Oh! Now I get it!" Naruto said, shaking his head.
"You do?" Nina asked.
"You do realize that this guy was wrongly accused of murdering Prince Clovis, right?" Naruto asked, instantly changing the mood.
"Bu-but, there had to be a reason he was accused." Nina insisted, making Lelouch frown and Nunnally look sadly at Suzaku.
"Really? And what do you base that on? After all I heard it was just a plot by the Purebloods to abolish the Honorary Britannian system." Naruto pointed out. "It pays to have a family that can look into these things."
"Indeed." C.C. agreed. "Is it because he's a so-called Eleven? Does this mean that Naruto and I make you want to jump out of your skin in fright every time we're in the same room?"
"N-no, I me-mean…" Nina tried to defend herself.
"We're half Elevens, so does this mean we're monsters in disguise who are going to eat you?" C.C. finished her slice.
"Honestly, you've known us for a whole week now and have we done anything ?" Naruto rhetorically asked. "Hey, Lelouch? Have we done anything like help Terrorists blow up a building and kill innocent people the whole time we've been living with you and Nunnally."
"Not that I can recall." Lelouch answered with a small grin.
"See, nothing to be afraid of. Does this mean you only believe full Elevens are monsters? I guess this means no inviting you to meet my parents if they show up." Naruto remarked with a sad sigh and looked at Lelouch. "Hey, weren't you telling me that Suzaku saved your life the other day? When you got lost in Shinjuku?"
Everyone's eyes widened as they looked at Lelouch.
'Uzumaki, what are you doing?' Lelouch thought, wondering if Naruto was trying to get his cover blown.
"You were in Shinjuku?" Kallen asked, now interested.
"Yeah he was. We were on our back when a truck crashed off the highway and Mr. Hero here went down to see if the driver was all right. He fell into the back when the truck drove off because was on the roof at the time." Rivalz explained.
"Really?" Kallen asked, sounding surprised and trying to cover up how worried she was.
Did Lelouch see her that day? If so then she might have to kill him to keep her identity secret. She avoided looking at Nunnally as she thought that, knowing she might rob the crippled girl of her brother who seemed to act like the perfect loving brother a little sister could ask for from what saw when Lelouch and Nunnally were together.
Just like Naoto.
"Thank you, Rivalz. As always you make me sound so heroic." Lelouch decided to play along to try to keep Kallen from being suspicious. "Anyways I fell into the back of the truck and bumped my head on something. That's when things got blurry for me. When I awoke the next thing I knew I was being attacked by some soldier accusing me of being a terrorist and pinned me down. It wasn't until he looked down at me and saw my uniform did he realize I was some student. He asked me why I was there and when I explained he offered to escort me out."
Suzaku would have interjected but realized Lelouch was covering up what really happened to better protect his and Nunnally's secret. Kallen was relieved that Lelouch didn't see her but decided to be careful around him for now.
"He took off his helmet and I was shocked to see it was an Eleven who was getting me out of that warzone but nonetheless I was thankful." Lelouch finished with a smile. "I was shocked to hear he was accused of Prince Clovis's murder since he was with me the whole time but like Naruto said the Purebloods were making a show of it and I couldn't go up and say he was innocent since I had no proof confirm his alibi. It's not the first time someone would try to cover up a crime and pin it on an Eleven."
"You saved Lulu's life back then too?" Shirley asked Suzaku who was now looking embarrassed.
"Well-" Suzaku started but couldn't find words.
"Thank you." Shirley smiled.
"Uh, oh, no problem. He wasn't armed and I knew he couldn't be a terrorist. He didn't even look very tough." Suzaku said bashfully.
Everyone shared a chuckle as everyone knew about Lelouch's non-existent physicality.
"See, saves your friend's life." Naruto looked back at Nina. "Do you still think he's that bad?"
"We-well…" Nina looked back between Naruto, Lelouch, and Suzaku. "I-I'll think about you said. It's j-just… Elevens scare me."
"That's all anyone can ask." Naruto smiled as he sat next to C.C.
The next day all students were gathered together in the gym as Prince Clovis's funeral was being shown all across Britannia and its colonies.
" And now, his Royal Majesty, the 98th Emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire. "
For the first time Naruto got a good look as the Emperor, Charles zi Britannia walked up the podium. The man was tall and big, wearing a purple military uniform underneath a long flowing cloak, his white hair styled like a judge's with a look of authority and confidence. He definitely had the look of a ruler with his very being emanating an aura that made a person want to submit just by looking at him.
'Very few people have a look that can match him. He's definitely the type of man who can call himself a ruler.' Naruto thought.
" All men are… NOT created equal. Some are born swifter afoot, some with greater beauty, some are born into poverty and others are born sick and feeble. Both in birth and upbringing in sheer scope of ability every human is inherently different; yes that is the reason why people discriminate against one another, which is why there is struggle, competition, and the unfaltering march of progress."
"Inequality is not wrong, equality is."
Diethard tuned out the speech as he looked at the recording of Zero during the rescue of Warrant Officer Kururugi.
What of the E.U. which made equality a right? Rabble politics by a popular contest."
Jeremiah, Villetta, and the remaining Pure Blood remained silent and still as they saluted and listened to the Emperor.
"The Chinese Federation with its equal distribution of wealth? A nation of lazy dullards.
Ohgi and rest of the group stared Emperor on the television with dark looks.
"But not our beloved Britannia, we fight, we compete, evolution is continuous."
"Evolution." Lloyd remarked in a drawl tone though still smirking, not bothering to copy the rest of his group's actions in saluting as they all listened. "Such a pretty little word."
"Britannia alone moves forward, advancing steadily into the future, even the death of my son Clovis, demonstrates Britannia unswerving commitment to progress."
Cornelia and Euphemia remained silent as they listened to the televised speech. Cornelia was still as a statue while Euphemia looked down with a saddened look, thinking of her deceased brother instead of listening to her father's speech.
"We will fight on, we shall struggle, compete, plunder, and dominate and in the end the future shall be ours!"
Kallen glared at the screen while concealing her feelings of contempt and hate for the leader of the empire that had conquered and oppressed her home, Milly didn't show an ounce of emotion on her face, Nina bowed her head in submission, Suzaku looked down at the ground and his hand tightened into a fist, Rivalz could only make his silly grin as he half listened to the speech, Shirley looked unsure, Lelouch glowered at the screen with his eyes twitching only once while Naruto and C.C. studied the Emperor on the screen.
"ALL HAIL BRITANNIA! " The Emperor finished his speech by pumping his fist above his head.
" ALL HAIL BRITANNIA! " The gathered assembly chanted with him.
Naruto could sense the negative emotions coming from Lelouch. Pure hate and rage consuming him from within as he glared at the television screen. It reminded him so much of the look on Sasuke's face when he confronted Itachi years ago.
'He really hates his father. Then again just a few words from him and I hate this jackass already.' Naruto thought as the funeral assembly before the Emperor chanted 'All hail Britannia'.
'This is the mask of Emperor Charles zi Britannia.' C.C. thought. 'A man who speaks of lies and weaklings to continue his plan to destroy God.'
'And forcefully take away all free will in the world. What the hell is with me and running into psychos who plot to become the new God or something like that? First it was Madara and now this guy.' Naruto sighed but frowned at the screen.
There was no way he was going to let another psycho try attempt to destroy all individuality in the world for his belief in a world without lies.
'Here we go again.' Naruto thought with a sigh.
Lelouch stopped out of the room with Rivalz running after him. "Hey, wait for me!"
"He's certainly got issues." Naruto commented.
"At least he's not going to do something stupid." C.C. replied. "Now come on. I want dinner."
"Hey, we had Pizza last night. It's Ramen night." Naruto protested.
"A true boyfriend would normally treat his girlfriend to anything she wants." C.C. said as they walked out.
"And a kind girlfriend would at least humor her boyfriend into letting him have real food for once." Naruto retorted.
C.C. narrowed her eyes. "How dare you say Pizza is not real food? It's more real than those water noodles."
"Water… noodles?" Naruto's eyes darkened.
Both Naruto and C.C. stared at each other with lightning dancing between their narrowed eyes. Thus another conflict between two forces of nature on which food was the best food in this world or any world.