Disclaimer: I don't own anything belonging to Code: Geass or Naruto.
"You're late, Lulu."
Lelouch had struggle not to flinch at the tone of Milly Ashford's voice as he walked into the Student Council room. He wasn't sure if he was lucky that only Milly herself was present instead of everyone on the Student Council or not.
Except Nina.
In the aftermath of the Rebellion Nina disappeared back to Britannia and no one had heard from her again. Shirley and Rivalz were able to stay since their families were only civilians and they seemed to be doing well in the new Japan. Kallen was now living in an apartment with her mother who seemed completely cured from the effects of the Refrain drug. He remembered the first few months of trying to set up an education system and Milly had come to him with complaints of Britannia staff and students that had no left being threatened by mobs harassing the school grounds, fights between Britannian and Japanese students, and even families being threatened.
Needless to say Milly was happy about it and expected Lelouch to do something about it.
In return Milly actually promised that she and family's resources, no matter how little they would be at his disposal. Of course Lelouch had no need for Milly to swear allegiance to the Black Knights and made it a personal statement on the grounds of the Academy that it was under the personal protection of the Black Knights, especially after Kallen had been revealed to be one of his personal ace pilots in the organization. The fights soon dimmed down as the Japanese had an immense respect for Zero, even treating him as their personal messiah for liberating their country. It helped when Prime Minister Kaguya Sumeragi and Kaname Ohgi created a special Japanese police force to help keep the peace and the Prime Minister stressed that there would be no form of prejudice whatsoever.
It had helped that Milly had worked with Representative Euphemia li Britannia who had become a popular figure in Japan and soon both were well liked by just about everyone, Japanese and Britannian alike. However the seven years of brutal occupation had left scars on many of the Japanese and to them taking back their country was not enough while some Britannians were left bitter about being reduced to a minority in a country once part of their Empire.
It gave Lelouch a headache for a while as a country where people who were once being bullied now turning the tables on the bullies was not a country he meant to create. Thus he had to put his future plans on hold and work on properly stabilizing the country before he made anymore moves. Luckily Naruto was on the job and he was quick to help when he could, breaking up fights, trying to talk or literally beat some sense in a few people, and helping to form friendships between students in the Academy. Under Euphie and Milly's eyes the prejudice in the school soon was brought down to a mere dislike between certain students while others soon began to form friendships and clubs together, slowly leaving the hate behind.
And Kallen was among the most popular people now much to her dismay since she found herself the attention of so many people she actually pined for the days of being sick and feeble Kallen Stadfeld, even though she would never admit it.
"I'm sorry about that. I got held up." Lelouch offered a weak excuse as he sat at the table.
"Yeah sure." Milly said, waving off his excuse. "Now in the meantime we have work to do. Especially for tomorrow's festival."
Lelouch could only sigh, knowing Milly had a big job for him.
Nunnally vi Britannia woke up as soon as the sun came up and was up and jogging around the campus before she even had breakfast. Her brother would still scold her for her routine but she kept on jogging before breakfast no matter what he said. And since then she had joined all the clubs that involved physical activity of somekind.
Jogging, swimming, climbing, but passed on cheerleading.
The last thing she needed was her brother going crazy over her wearing a cheerleading outfit and being seen by hundreds of students in it. And Lelouch was still not aware of Nunnally's other self, Cera's fourth Path of Rebellion known as Infinity. She continued her training and had come far with Naruto saying she was even strong enough to be considered an elite Jounin in his world. While Lelouch and Cornelia did not know of Nunnally's new status, the same could not be said for Euphie.
Her pacifist sister who was the fifth Path of Rebellion.
Only unlike Nunnally while Euphie had a few self defense skills she had primarily concentrated on being a healer, learning under Rakshata whose medical skills now surpassed everyone in Japan. Euphie had enough of living in a world full of pain and dedicated herself to healing the people in it.
When Naruto heard her claim he was reminded of Sakura.
So Rakshata took her as a student and she had been a very apt learner, taking what Rakshata was teaching her about medical ninjutsu and even began studying with regular medical students in Ashford. Nunnally was proud of her sister, she was finally growing up which she never could as a Princess since her views went against that of their bastard father and thus if Euphy had not been somehow liberated she would have been married off to some noble to keep her quiet. And Cornelia was proud of her little sister as well, settling to be her bodyguard and secretary, even though Cornelia would threaten to horribly beat anyone who referred to her as such.
Former Princess of Britannia or not the Goddess of Victory had a reputation to uphold.
"Another day." Nunnally smiled, watching the sunrise. "And another beautiful start of that day."
And another day of peace that would hopefully last a little longer.
She dressed up in her gym clothes and snuck down into the basement of the clubhouse, satisfied to see both of her trainers waiting for her.
"Good morning, Lady Nunnally. Did you sleep well?" Sayoko asked with a small smile.
Nunnally nodded. "I did and I am ready to continue."
"Your skills have come a long way, your Highness. Your mother would be so pleased to see how strong you have become." Her other trainer said with a prideful smile.
"Thanks you and your training, Lord Jeremiah."
Lord Jeremiah Gottwald, former leader of the Britannian Pure Bloods was now one of Nunnally's trainers as he had been one of Lady Marianne's guards at her villa before she was murdered and had blamed himself for failing to protect her and her children. When Nunnally revealed herself as Infinity and that her brother took up the mask of Zero in the name of justice against the Empire for abandoning them, their mother, and to change the world for the better Jeremiah had surprised her by swearing himself as her eternal protector. Jeremiah explained that he had originally come to Japan, hoping to find Marianne's children and protect them and even though he had dishonored himself he swore to spend the rest of his life working to regain that honor, even it meant dying as a traitor to Britannia. With such devotion Nunnally agreed and welcomed Jeremiah as a trainer and secret bodyguard alongside Sayoko and needless to say he had nothing but complete pride in her abilities that she had shown, even without the powers she had gained from Cera.
Jeremiah had also shared valuable intel regarding the special project that had installed machine parts into his body and that General Bartly was part of a secret Britannian project known as Code-R that existed outside the normal Britannian chain of command and only the Emperor and those he trust completely knew of it. Nunnally suspected the Geass Order that was once led by her deceased uncle whose body was placed in the deepest depths of the ocean to ensure it was never found. Bartley had fled back to Britannia but even if they did not know much else about Code-R it was possibly ended with the passing of V.V. What mattered now was anticipating what the Emperor's next move would be given that it was more than likely that nothing had gone according to plan since Cera had escaped from the Britannian Research facility.
Nunnally had no intention of being left out of the chance to ensure her father's crazy plan never succeeded.
"It is my honor, Lady Nunnally." Jeremiah bowed his head again.
"And now we shall continue." Sayoko held up a kunai.
Nunnally readied herself.
"C'mon Rivalz! Hurry and get those onions ready!"
"On it, Shirley! How's the cheese coming?"
"You let me worry about that!"
"Okay, okay! Sorry!"
Shirley sighed as she worked tirelessly to get the chesse for the giant pizza ready. In addition to preparing a giant pizza the Student Council was also working to make a giant bowl of ramen which was making Shirley's day slightly more stressful as she worked to get everything ready.
"More salt!"
"More salt!"
"And where are the dumplings?!"
"They're coming!"
"Not fast enough!"
"I am going as fast as I can! Where is everyone else?!"
"Here we are!" Naruto stepped into the kitchen with Cera and Kallen. "And the food smells delicious!"
"It will be better when its ready so hurry up and help us!" Shirley shouted, wearing an apron and a hair net while sweating from the steam coming from the cooked food.
Naruto quickly and wisely got to work, deciding to help with the ramen.
"How is the pizza?" Cera asked, looking at the large tank filled with tomato sauce.
"It should be ready by the festival." Shirley answered, sending a nervous glance at Kallen.
Kallen noticed how nervous Shirley looked and didn't blame her. While the transformation from Area Eleven to the United States of Japan was a lot smoother with people like Lelouch, Euphie, Milly, and Kaguya Sumeragi there was still a lot of unsolved feelings.
Like the strained friendship between Kallen and Shirley.
Shirley felt betrayed that Kallen was a member of the Black Knights who nearly killed her father during the attack on Narita and who pretty much trapped her and so many Britannians in a country where she and so many others were in the minority. It only got worse to as Shirley's emotions got to the point that she almost physically attacked Kallen until Milly grabbed her and pulled her away to speak with her.
"What are you thinking?!" Milly asked, dragging Shirley into an empty classroom. "Do you realize what would happen if everyone on campus sees you trying to attack Kallen?"
"She's part of the Black Knights! She's the reason we're trapped here!" Shirley shouted. "She's Britannian and she betrayed us!"
"She's also Japanese!" Milly snapped, shocking Shirley. "Kallen's father is a Britannian noble but her mother is Japanese."
"What?!" Shirley gasped. "B-But how?! The school board wouldn't have let her attend if she was half Ele-Japanese!" Shirley quickly corrected herself as Milly glared at her.
"I knew and so did my grandfather but unlike certain people we are not blinded by the prejudice and arrogance that was the reason the rebellion succeeded." Milly said sternly. "I was not going to judge Kallen for not having only Britannian blood and I don't judge her for joining the Black Knights."
"Why not?! They forced us to remain here from our homeland!" Shirley snapped.
"Because this is their country and it was taken from them by force, Shirley! You might not know this since you were living the easy life but they were forced to live a much worse than any of us have under the United States of Japan. Poor housing, barely any food or water to feed themselves, let alone their children and forced to work menial tasks and being mocked and ridiculed by average citizens. Just be thankful that things aren't worse." Milly explained, her voice becoming every bit the noble woman of the family she had been originally born into. "We were not forced to stay but because we were not important to be considered when the Empire sent a ship to extract the remaining military and nobility after the Rebellion who left us stranded."
"That's easy for you to say! Do you know how many looks I get when I return home? My mom is worried out of her mind for me every time I walk out the door!" Shirley retorted.
"At least you have a home! Stop pretending this is all about you and your pain, Shirley! Remember, Kallen saved us at Kawaguchi, no matter what you think of her." Milly said.
"And what about what she did afterwards?! She betrayed us to Zero and his terrorists!" Shirley shouted even louder.
"You brainless self-righteous hyprocrite! Don't preach to me about betrayal, Shirley Finnette!" Milly shouted so loudly that Shirley stepped back in sheer shock. "In case it slipped your pretty little head, I was once the heiress of a noble family and look what staying loyal cost me!"
Shirley stepped back, leaning against the desk as Milly stood over her.
"My family was loyal for generations and yet when Empress Marianne was murdered in her own home, right in front of her son and daughter the Emperor stripped us of our titles and banished us from the homeland and it was only through our own brand of luck that we weren't swept up in the war that they started nearly a year later when they invaded this country without any warning whatsoever! They did it and they didn't care who they hurt or killed in the process, Britannian or Japanese. Do not preach to me about betrayal, Shirley. You have no idea of what it feels or how deep cutting it can be." Milly declared loudly.
Shirley was trembling now as Milly reached as if to slap her…
But instead Milly hugged her tightly.
"You may not like how things are, Shirley but things are better for both the Japanese and us. In the eyes of the Homeland we are traitors but even if some of the Japanese hate us we are still free to be who we have always been. It is not we who are the traitors here, Shirley. If the Homeland doesn't want us than they are the traitors, not us." Milly whispered softly into Shirley's ears. "Besides, Kallen saved us when Cornelia would have let us die."
"But she-"
"She would have let us die. I know enough of the royal family to know that if Euphemia wasn't with us she would have just attacked and killed us and the terrorists. Even knowing she would become a terrorist Kallen still saved us." Milly pulled away. "So in a way Kallen has been more of a friend to us than our own people have been."
Shirley stared at Milly in shock as the president of the student council wiped a few tears from her eyes.
"Now," Milly smiled. "Will you promise to behave? I will not say forget everything that has happened. But perhaps this new country can help us start over, this time with no lies. Nothing but truth from here on out."
Since then Shirley had not done or said anything in offence to Kallen or any of the Japanese students now attenting Ashford. Shirley for the most part ignored Kallen or kept any conversations the two had for any important reasons short. Still though Naruto had worked to try and rekindle the friendships in the Student Council as best as he could without resorting to drastic measures. Rivalz was the easiest since he was too nice to hold on to any kind of grudge and his family seemed to take it all in stride, even becoming a like-able family in Japan.
Nina however had disappeared back into Britannia and no one had heard from her since the end of the Rebellion. It wasn't hard to figure out why as Nina was terrified of the Japanese even the ones who were harmless and the thought of being in an entire country run by the Japanese would have been too much for the xenophobic genius. Kallen understood why Shirley and few Britannian students resented her and the Black Knights but everything she had done was done in the name of a free Japan. She never condoned mistreatment of any kind, even towards Britannians who had done nothing to deserve it of any kind.
"Kallen, can you help cut up the pepperoni and get some spice? We want the ramen and pizza to have every kind of toppings there is." Shirley quickly said.
Kallen nodded. "Okay."
Even if Milly's schemes often drove everyone crazy Kallen had gotten used to it and to be honest it was a breath of fresh air from the day to day military dealings since the Black Knights had been forced to become an integral part of the Japanese Military.
"Make sure the pizza is perfect. I'd hate for someone of such beauty to taste with such bland." Cera said with an annoying smirk on her face.
Of course the chance to throw something at Cera and her annoying smiling face wasn't something she'd like to pass up either.
"I really wish you'd change the dress code. That skirt is far too short." Cornelia said as Euphie changed into her Ashford school uniform.
"It's fine, sister. Besides, your idea of a uniform would have everyone wearing bullet proof body armor that would be so heavy the chairs would break." Euphie said with a smile as she prepared her lunch. "The school would be turn into an army recruitment with you running it."
Cornelia rolled her eyes. "Excuse me if I find the life of a normal school student a little bland and boring."
Euphie sighed. "Suddenly I remember how many times Lady Marianne would be amused at how devoted you were in your duties. You certainly drove our mother insane."
"That wasn't hard at all." Cornelia replied with a small smile.
"Yes and I remember how Schneizal would comment on it…" Euphie suddenly frowned. "I really hope this marriage was not Schneizal's plan. Perhaps the Emperor ordered him to set this marriage up."
"We both know that the Emperor could care less about subtle plans like that. Schneizel was always kind to you, Euphie but he is also Prime Minister of the Empire and he's been in charge of directing the war against the E.U. I am soldier, I have no patience for politics but Schneizel is skilled in those areas which is why he's been seen as the most likely candidate for becoming the next Emperor." Cornelia replied honestly.
"But to marry a child off for political use-"
"Has been done by our family for generations. The nobles play these games all the time and our father has had over a hundred consorts that were all arranged to ensure there would be an heir to the throne." Cornelia cut her younger sister off gently.
Euphie looked conflicted, knowing Cornelia was right. "Still, Schneizal never resorted to such tactics before. Has the Rebellion's actions truly made him that desperate?"
"The Empire's never lost control of an area before, Euphie. One small victory can inspire others to fight, a victory like the Rebellion was enough to inspire an entire world to fight back." Cornelia looked out the window. "I can only imagine how Guilford must feel."
Cornelia's personal knight who had been evacuated at the end of the Rebellion and most likely knew that Cornelia was still in Japan.
As a prisoner or a traitor she did not know.
"Have you heard from Guilford?" Euphie asked.
"The last I did hear from him he was assigned to deal with uprisings in a few areas. Probably the best he can do in the situation the Rebellion left him in." Cornelia frowned. "I am still angry at Lelouch for starting this war."
"Lelouch didn't start the war, sister. He just joined it when he had enough." Euphie said. "What good ever came from being a member of Britannian royalty? Even you hated your time in the royal courts. That's why you joined the military. And you even hated our father for how cruel and callous he acted, especially when Lady Marianne died."
"But it was something I forged with my own two hands, Euphie. I became who I was without relying on the connections a princess could have. Whether I hated the royal courts and the Emperor or not I was proud of being a soldier." Cornelia replied.
"And you still train as a soldier." Euphie said with a small smile. "Sister, I like what we've made here. It's far better than what our home land would have made. And I was never truly myself as a princess. You know I would have been swept aside for not agreeing with our father."
Cornelia smiled back. "That's why I dragged you, kicking and screaming, to all of my campaigns. I couldn't trust you not to keep your mouth shut."
Euphie stuck her tongue out at her sister before grabbing her bag and left their room in the clubhouse.
"Hmm…" Taizo Kirihara mused as he shared a cup of tea with Lelouch who was not wearing his mask because the meeting between them was private. "This is a bold plan of yours. Are you sure you want to risk Prince Schneizel's ire? Officially we would not be able to intervene officially on your behalf. Even a risk taker such as you should know the consequences."
"Schneizel may not take direct action against us but to pass up this chance to stop him now would endanger Japan in the future." Lelouch replied.
"Then I trust you will make sure this does not affect Japan in any way." Kirihara smirked.
Lelouch smirked back and nodded. "Of course."
"Just to be sure you know what you are doing what will be your plan if Kururugi appears in China?" Kirihara frowned and for good reason.
The name Suzaku Kururugi was hated by nearly all Japanese for betraying them to Britannia and for supporting them in every decision they made, even horrible acts such as the massacre in Shinjuku and for fighting against Zero and the Black Knights during the Black Rebellion. Suzaku left with the Britannians when Japan was allowed to establish itself as an independent nation and was considered the greatest traitor in Japanese history for his deeds. The Japanese knew of Suzaku's plan to take control of Japan and rule the way he wished and though he claimed it would be better for them the Japanese condemned him for his choice as they never wished to be part of the Empire in the first place. Suzaku had even spoken against former Princess Euphemia's decision to represent the Britannians still living in Japan, believing the Black Knights had brainwashed her.
With the success of the Rebellion and the exposure of Suzaku's deeds, including the murder of his father, in the eyes of the Japanese Suzaku had tarnished the honor of his family name and betrayed his country and people for a delusional quest for power.
"Plans have been made if he does appear. But there has been little word of him since the end of the Rebellion." Lelouch said, a hint of regret in his voice.
"Do not underestimate him. A traitor he may be, but the strength of the Kururugi family still exists within Suzaku and he will be one of your most dangerous enemies." Kirihara stated.
"As you can all understand this is important to the continuation of the Empire. With the loss of Area Eleven in the Rebellion and the sakuradite that had been vital our economy our resources have been dwindling. The minor rebels in the other areas have made it difficult for us to maintain our nation and it was only thanks to the work of our soldiers and our scientists that we have only now managed to stabilize our economy and our military. To ensure that our Empire remains completely stable for a good amount of time this alliance with the Chinese Federation must be ensured by the union of their Empress and our first prince." Prince Schneizel el Britannia said to the gathered officers before him in the large meeting room. "That is why you are all gathered here. You will be there to ensure this alliance is finalized."
"Do you suspect the Black Knights will try to stop this wedding?" An officer asked.
"It is possible. Zero is no fool and if he knows of this wedding he may believe the only way to stop this alliance is stop the wedding." Schneizel answered calmly.
"If Zero tries to stop the wedding we can declare war on him and those upstart rebels." Another officer said, earning a few agreements.
"Perhaps, but Zero is not foolish enough to provoke the Empire into another war when Japan has only recently been fully stabilized." Schneziel replied. "I will not make authorize any action against Zero or Japan so as along as they do not provoke us."
"But what about the possible threat they represent?"
"It is possible Zero will journey to China himself to see if there is any way to disrupt the wedding." Shneizel answered. "If he is seen I want to ensure that my brother and the Empress are completely protected."
"Do you wish for us to-"
"No. There will be no orders of assassination on Zero. There was already an attempt on his life which drove my younger sister into Zero's arms. Whether or not the assassin was Britannian in origin or not Zero's bodyguards have proven themselves to be highly skilled as bodyguards and pilots. The Special Administrative Zone would have broken the moral of the Black Knights and turned the Japanese against them." Schneizel replied calmly. "I will not have a repeat of that disaster and potentially bring down an alliance I have spent many months negotiating. Am I understood?"
"Yes, Prince Schneizel!" Everyone answered.
"Good. Prepare my ship." Schneizel nodded in satisfaction, watching as most of the officers left the room.
Except the one he ordered to remain behind.
"Kururugi, now that you know why I summoned you here, I wish to know your opinion on how Zero might attempt to disrupt the wedding."
"I'll say this for Milly, when she throws a party everyone just joins in!" Naruto remarked with a huge smile as he looked around the festival, happy to see so many people attending.
Most were Japanese but there were many Britannians and so far they seemed to be getting along.
Or simply ignoring each other to not ruin the fun day they were having.
"I want to see what kind of mayhem we can cause here." Cera said, tugging Naruto's arm forward. "And then see the giant pizza."
Naruto shook his head but let Cera drag him to the many game booths, where Naruto proceeded to win every game and won several prices for Cera.
Unfortunately he ended up carrying all of them while Cera walked in front of him with a satisfied smile.
"Well, it was fun to see win all those prizes for me, even a friend for my Cheese-kun but I am getting bored now." Cera said, handing the large rabbit to Naruto who sighed and wished he could create some shadow clones. "Now what shall we do next?"
Naruto hoped someone would come and save him and luckily someone did. "Naruto!"
Kallen moved through the crowd and made her to them, taking note of the many toys Naruto was carrying. "C.C. made you play almost all the games, didn't she?"
"Pretty much." Naruto admitted with a chuckle.
"Well Milly needs you to operate the Ganymede. We do need it for the giant pizza and ramen, you know." Kallen pointed out.
Cera narrowed her eyes and grabbed the rabbit from Naruto, making him drop everything else. "You played all those games while knowing you were supposed to help with the pizza?"
"I was-" Naruto tried to explain but Cera silenced him with a finger on his lips.
"Go to Milly and help her make my pizza." Cera said sharply, narrowing her eyes with a scary glare. " Now ."
Naruto quickly nodded and ran so fast he left an afterimage of himself where he had once stood.
"Idiot boy. Being so nice to me when he could have been preparing the greatest gift in the world." Cera muttered with a sigh.
Kallen could only shake her head, wondering just what Naruto saw in her.
"Arthur! Arthur! Where has that cat gone this time?" Euphie sighed as she looked around the festival for her pet cat, Arthur who ran off with one of her pens.
"Why do you keep that blasted animal?" Cornelia sighed, following after her sister.
"Arthur is not so bad, sister." Euphie replied, looking around all the game booths. "Milly Ashford really worked hard to set this all up. She always was one for parties."
"Her grandfather has clearly spoiled her." Cornelia remarked. "Then again he and his granddaughter are the smartest in their family."
"What do you mean?" Euphie asked.
"Millicent Ashford's parents both lack a certain amount of intelligence that she clearly was blessed with. Her mother was a gold digger with a penchant for spending about as much as Gwendolyn did in a whole day and her father is an idiot who always fought his wife's battles for her, especially when it came to trying to control the Ashford fortune and industry. It was only their relationship with Marianne that kept her satisfied." Cornelia explained. "I spoke with Ruben and it seems her daughter in law kept on trying to wrestle control what was left of the Ashord fortune but even if she has ambition she lacks a certain… Well, she lacks a brain."
"Sister!" Euphie gasped at Cornelia in surprise.
"Oh come on, Euphie. Even you have to remember how some nobles acted towards allies of Lady Marianne." Cornelia sighed, wondering if she had sheltered her sister a little too much.
"I am well aware of how many of our siblings acted towards Lady Marianne. I even remember our mother and you constantly arguing about your position as head of her guards." Euphie pointed out.
"And many wonder why I hadn't spoken to her since that assassination." Cornelia grumbled. "The point is Ruben and Millicent Ashford have all the gifts that made the Asford family famous and respected while Millicent's parents are mediocre self-centered and single minded typical nobles that look backwards instead of forwards."
"That sounds like something Lelouch would say." Euphie said with a smile. "I guess you really are siblings."
"Too bad he still being stubborn about his PE classes. I need to convince that teacher to double his class time." Cornelia remarked, causing Euphie to giggle. "Did you know she was a former member of the Purist faction?"
Euphie stopping giggling and quickly looked around. "I remember being second in command to Lord Jeremiah Gottwald who used to be one of Lady Marianne's guards. I wonder how she was able to get a job here."
"I don't like a member of the Purist Faction working here, given how they behaved before they were dissolved." Cornelia said. "I should speak to Ruben about that."
"Just be careful, sister. The last thing we need is this festival turning into a battlefield." Euphie cautioned.
"Give me some credit, Euphie. I don't turn every place I go into a warzone." Cornelia huffed.
Euphie wisely did not reply to that.
"Now come on, you're the guest of honor here." Cornelia said, keeping her sister focused on today's tasks.
It was days like this that Euphie almost wish she was just the simple princess kept ignorant of the world…
Almost.
"C.C. I am really not in the mood." Lelouch groaned as he checked the pizza sauce container while Cera was sitting on one of them, being her usual irritating self.
"Just make sure I am the first to taste the delicious pizza that Naruto will be making for me. Do that and I will put an end to that wedding myself." Cera retorted.
"Normally I'd probably agree after making sure that whatever you plan doesn't affect my plans but I have no interest in taking a back seat at this point." Lelouch replied.
"Typical. The one time I offer to do all the dirty work and you being the prideful great leader refuse." Cera sighed in frustration.
"Lulu!" Shirley's echoed from around the corner.
For reasons he did not understand Lelouch pushed Cera into the container and closed the top just as Shirley came around the corner. "What's up, Shirley?"
"There you are." Shirley spotted Lelouch and walked towards him.
"Do you need something?" Lelouch asked as Shirley climbed up.
"Well, I was wondering…" Shirley looked away for a second. "Just how are you holding up with how things are now? You know, living here with… Japanese?"
Lelouch shrugged. "It's okay. Not too bad all things considered."
"So would you like to…" Shirely stopped when she heard something banging in the container. "Is someone there?"
"Nope." Lelouch quickly answered with a small innocent smile.
C.C. might try and get him back later but no one couldn't say he didn't have a sense of humor after this.
"So I was wondering if you'd like to… You know, enjoy the festival with me. We can watch Naruto help Milly make the giant pizza." Shirley offered.
Lelouch considered and decided that for a good laugh he would actually say… "Why yes, Shirley. I'd love to."
"Really?!" Shirely gasped but quickly composed herself. "Okay, let's go."
Lelouch followed Shirley back into the festival, leaving Cera inside the tank of tomato sauce who had yet to use her powers…
But she used enough to lift the lid up and peek her head, which was completely covered in tomato sauce.
She threw an annoyed glare at Lelouch while licking some tomato sauce from her lips. "… At least the sauce is good."
The sound of machinery surprised her and she looked down to see the container was moving and realized what was happening.
'I am about to baked in a giant pizza…' Cera thought with a surprised look that actually turned into a smile. 'I don't know if I should be pissed or happy. Naruto, you colossal idiot, you better not mess this up.'
"And now folks, our resident pilot who has taken over after the departing of our last pilot, Naruto Uzumaki will make the giant pizza!" Milly said through the microphone, earning endless cheers from the crowd that had gathered to see the giant pizza and bowl of ramen be made.
'Man, compared to Seizan and the Shen Hu this is literally an antique.' Naruto thought, despite moving the Ganymede with ease. 'Good thing Cera made me go through all those hours of learning how to make a pizza. Now I just need to make this right.'
He had the Ganymede ready the pizza dough, make it all nice and ready to put the pizza sauce on.
"And now we add the sauce!" Milly announced as Naruto lifted up the tomato sauce container and opened the lid before slowly pouring it onto the pizza.
Along with a human body that was dumped onto the center of the pizza for everyone to see.
"Is that a body?!"
"Someone was in there?!"
"There's been a murder!"
"Wait! She's still alive!"
"They were going to bake someone alive!"
"That poor girl!"
"How could she breathe in all that sauce?"
"A girl covered in sauce on a pizza? Sounds like something out of a pervy magazine."
"My cousin told me this place was crazy!"
"Uh?!" Milly spun around and saw a girl covered in tomato sauce, sitting in the center of the giant pizza. "Tsunade?! What are you doing in the pizza sauce?!"
Rivalz just stared at Cera covered in tomato sauce. "Wow! A girl covered totally in pizza sauce! I saw something like this in a magazine once! Only it was a giant pie and the girl was covered in cream!"
Shirley who had been standing next to Rivalz with Lelouch exclaimed in disgust. "Rivalz, that's disgusting! What was she going in the pizza sauce?!"
"She must have fallen in when no one was looking." Lelouch quickly said, remaining calm. "It's a good thing Milly didn't turn our custom made oven on or she'd be baked alive."
Kallen gaped in shock at seeing Cera being dumped onto the pizza, covered in sauce. "What the hell?! Is she trying to get baked alive?!"
Seriously, what the hell was wrong with this girl?
Naruto's jaw nearly dropped. "C-C-C-…" He suddenly whimpered, believing she was going to kill him for ruining pizza…
Even though he no idea she was in the tomato sauce!
"Oh dear. They make the stage right but didn't take C.C.'s obsession with pizza into it." Nunnally giggled as she watched with Euphie and Cornelia.
"Just what is the matter with that girl?" Cornelia asked.
"Its how she's always been." Nunnally shrugged.
Cera finally sat up and glared up at a pale Naruto who shrunk down into the cockpit. "Well, are you going to add the cheese or not?"
Covered in tomato sauce in front of the entire school or not she would get her giant pizza.
Needless to say the festival came to an interesting end with Cera having the entire giant pizza all to herself since no one wanted to try a pizza with a girl that had been in the pizza sauce, leaving a happy Cera to have the giant pizza all to herself.
"Is she just going to eat that pizza all through the night?" Kallen asked while helping to clean up the festival as Cera continued eating.
"Might as well let her." Naruto chuckled weakly as he finished picking up what was left of the garbage and looked back at the barely half eaten giant pizza. "I wouldn't want to pull her away from that pizza if I wanted to live. Besides, this'll keep her happy for a good long while. Too bad I couldn't make that giant bowl of ramen."
"Seriously, how do you put up with her?" Kallen asked. "She's the most shameless… Person I have ever met in my life."
"She's not so bad… Once you get past the witch switch." Naruto chuckled weakly.
Kallen rolled her eyes and helped sweep up the discarded food wrappers and containers. "You guys are weird."
"And you are not?" Naruto snickered. "You hang out with all of us."
Kallen had to bite her tongue to avoid retorting.
Villetta had watched the entire festival and saw former Princesses Cornelia and Euphemia in the crowd with another young girl. She did not know if they were under Zero's control or not but if she could convince them to help her they could rip control of this country from the Elevens and place it back under the control of the Empire.
She just needed to wait for the right opportunity to approach them.