A/N: So now then, I have to admit, I'm kind of at a loss when it comes to some of the event's that will take place which have no real basis in canon, not to say that thing's from R2 aren't going to happen. They will, just with a few altercation's in way's you might expect with how the story is currently going, it's what is going to happen OUTSIDE of those canon event's is what I have an issue working on...

Such as how for example, I have a general Idea on how I want the final fight's to end up being as, however the way I get to all of that I have an issue working on, plus I feel it would do good to have a story which would take place after it's all said and done, yet part of me feel's as though I could go on forever in that case!

I want this version of the world I am making to feel as if it is 'lived in' in a sense. However I will admit I have not all that much experience living it the world we are all in here and now. So do forgive me if I seem a bit 'cold' or 'foreign' in the sense of how people go about their live's, I would like to better understand people and the world around me, but I feel a bit nervous at the idea of interacting with anyone...

But for the most part, I do plan on having a story you can all enjoy, and when I feel this Rebellion is over and done with, I can work on seeing their live's after it is all finished, a more peaceful life, though that is not to say it will always be sunshine and roses. Like it or not, not everyone will just agree on what is going to happen once the Lord of Wraith's is done for, and while many people will cheer for the defeat of a being of such malice and hatred. No one ever said the world will suddenly have no more bad guy's, like for example a Nation that has thrived on the constant conflict in the world finding thing's too peaceful for their liking...

And also, to patrickthenobleman, good catch on the hint, though I think anyone could tell who it was in reference too, although granted. I should also admit it is a bit of a tease for a future story I plan on doing, I just don't plan on working on it yet until I feel done with Specter of the Rebellion is all. Best to keep my mind focused on one project and finish than have it bounce around many different one's all at once and never get anything done!

Make sure to review, and let's get one with the story!


Code Geass: Specter of the Rebellion

Chapter 20

A normal day, for one of noble blood at least

Tokyo Settlement, Area 11, September 2nd, 2017 a.t.b

Kallen P.O.V

I could feel the ray's of the morning sun beam down on my face, waking up I see that I am in my room at the manor...

Honestly, it's kind of hard to believe how my life has been...

I was once just a girl who had no family to call her own in my old life, taken away by pure chance...

And now I live the life of a Daughter of a Nobleman, of a Woman forced to become a maid while the one who took her place has done nothing more but leave us all in misery.

Oh, and I'm also a freedom fighter working with my Older Brother and his group, as their best Pilot no less...

'You sure it's not you leading them?'

And I also have THIS voice of 'reason' in my head to put up with, annoying as it is...

'Come on, is that really all you have to say?'

Well, I guess it's best to get up for today anyhow...

'Who know's, it might not be a bad day after all!'

I guess, still I know better than to just hope for the best all the time...

...

...

...

After washing myself up and getting dressed, I head to the manor's Dining Hall for Breakfast...

I see Dad sitting at the head of the table, and the Bitch across from him, and me left in the middle, toward's Dad's side anyhow...

Huh, normally she'd make some rude remark today, but she's been rather quiet...

'Wonder what happened?'

"Father, what happened to-" I say before Dad cut's me off...

"Let's just say that... Your Step-Mother was apparently scared by something, and hasn't really bothered to say much since." Dad explain's.

"De-Demon, Pil-pillager, M-MONSTER!" The Bitch scream's out in terror at the memory of what happened the other day...

Not that I don't mind seeing her freak out and whine like the Bitch she is, she deserves it to be honest. I am curious as to what's got her so spooked...

'A Demonic Pillaging Monster? Wonder what that could mean...'

Good question...

"Step-Mother, what did you see?" I asked her in my feeble Schoolgirl voice...

Honestly I hate having to hide who I really am at time's, more so than I already do anyhow...

"Th-that Young Man, h-he just stood there as some, THING came up behind him and spoke in th-that VOICE!" She stutter's out...

"What did it say? What did it look like?" I questioned her.

"It was, black and red, as if it was some sort of demonic being in a suit with a top hat, and it had these blue flame's and chain's and it called itself..." She said.

"What did it call itself?" I ask, there's NO way that he would create an image so like that of...

"Arsene... It said that it was a Pillager of Twilight, and that it would come for my soul on the behest of that Young Man!" She said before breaking down into hysteric sobbing.

...

...

...

How on EARTH could he create the like's of THAT?!

'Perhaps he was just being rather creative? The story of Arsene Lupin is present in this world as much as your old one, perhaps he just made it take on a more frightening visage to really scare her?'

I mean POSSIBLY, but that just remind's me so much of...

'...'

...

'I know what you mean, but do you expect him to give a straight answer? He's LELOUCH for crying out loud!'

I know...

'So what are you going to do about it?'

Nothing, I guess. Other than be glad he put a real sense of fear in that Homewrecker BITCH!

'That much I suppose we should give him thank's for...'

Yeah, and why do I feel like you have something else to say?

'Well, how about the two of you go out on a Date as a reward to his effort's, and to give a reason for people to assume why Dad wanted him to come over?'

D-DATE!

'Yeah, you know... Just you and him, spending time, alone...'

TH-THAT'S!

'Don't tell me your one of those Tsundere type's are you?'

I AM NOT A TSUNDERE!

'Then why not go out with him? It doesn't have to be anything special, just the two of you having a fun time!'

W-Well, I GUESS it wouldn't hurt...

'Yeah, it would do some good to just feel as if thing's are just normal every once in a while...'

I suppose you have a point, if what we are going to be putting up with the next few day's is anything to go by...

'The 4th, The 5th, and then the SAZ right?'

Yeah, I just hope it doesn't have to end up in Lelouch killing his sister...

'He seems to care a lot for his sibling's, half-born or other wise...'

Yeah, he does seem to care for them, and people in general...

"My Lord, may I see to cleaning up the table." Mom ask's Dad, her voice seeming a fair bit better compared to how she used to be...

"Of course, how about you help Kallen get ready for School today instead? I have a feeling she has a lot on her mind." Dad say's with a knowing wink.

Which Mom give's back and say's "Of course My Lord. Kallen, if you would please follow me."

I figure it's best to just follow Mom along and ask her then and we go into my room where she get's all my stuff...

"You know, even after all these year's I am glad to be doing this for you again, my dear." Mom say's with a nostalgic look on her face.

I smile at her word's and say to her in Japanese "I might not be much of a little girl, but thank's Okaasan."

Mom give's a slight laugh and say's "You know, that young man. Prince Lelouch, he has a good soul about him, much like you my darling."

I feel a slight blush at being compared to a guy like him and say "It's nothing that impressive, I'm sure there are other's of his family that are better in a lot of way's."

She stop's her work and turn's to me and say's "Kallen-chan. While it might be true that many of his family are skilled in different matter's more so than he, like his sister who is now the current Viceroy is known for being a skilled soldier and commander, they don't have the same amount of flexibility in skill-set as he does. Not to mention he has a lot of heart and soul in his action's and behavior's, so believe me when I say he is quite well enough to be compared to you. My Dear."

"Really?" I ask, bewildered that she would be saying such thing's in comparison to myself and Lelouch of all people!

She nod's and with a serious look on her face she say's "Kallen, when you fell asleep it was Lelouch who put you to bed, he could have done anything to you in such a state. And yet rather than take advantage of you as a number of young men in such a position would, even among his own family for that matter. He instead chose to treat you with respect and dignity and simply allowed you to rest. And not long after I came in and noticed how he treated you, and I spoke to him at a brief length about how even though he might have a Darker Side to his soul and would have to resort to fighting and killing other's, even those of his own family for that matter. That side of him work's as a complement to the lighter side of his soul and both are pure and noble in their intent and action's. As I can see in your own soul and action's, my Daughter."

I was stunned, here Mom was saying that she knew what kind of person Lelouch was and that she knew that even though what both he and I are doing can end up in people's death's, she feels as though even with everything we'd do. That our Soul's would remain Pure despite it all, and that even if we both have our Darker side's, they only seek to strengthen us as much as our more lighter side's do...

'Kind of reminds you of something huh?'

Yeah it does, honestly. It's nice to know Mom is okay with it...

Even still...

"What does Dad have to say about all of this? About what I am doing, and Lelouch for that matter?" I ask my Mom.

"Robert, he know's why you and Naoto started all of this. How the two of you would just want me and him together again and for the four of us to be a family again. And I can not help but feel proud of you and your brother. Wanting to fight so our family could be made whole again. And he could care less about the rest of those fool's back in Britannia, at least those he share's blood ties with anyhow. So really, it's his way of getting back at the people who have put us through so much misery by helping you and your Black Knight's out with whatever he can use. And I am going to do my part as well." She tells me.

"Wait, do your part? What do you mean Mom?" I ask her, what is she planning.

She take's a deep breath, and say's "I am going to learn under Shinokazi-san on her family's teaching's of how to be a Kunoichi."

"WHAT! Mom! But-you know what you would have to do right? You would be KILLING People! ACTUAL PEOPLE!" I exclaim in protest at her action's.

Why Mom?

WHY?

You know well enough as me you're not a killer, so why?

I feel her place a hand on my shoulder and she look's at me and say's "A Mother's duty is to protect and care for her children, I don't like having to kill other's either, but if you and Naoto want to fight and kill, it mean's I shouldn't let my only children be forced to fight while my Husband and I are left to sit on the sideline's..."

"But, Mom, I don't understand!" I say, tear's in my eye's as I feel fear of her dying, of Dad, of Naoto...

She hold's me in a motherly embrace and say's "It's because I love my family, and if you are worried, then you don't know your Father and I all that well my little firecracker."

"What? What do you mean?" I ask her, surprised at what she's saying.

She motion's for me to sit on my bed and I do, and she sit's down next to me as well.

"Your Father was, young, back during the Emblem of Blood. And, well, even his own family wasn't immune to the turmoil of that conflict. When the conflict came to the providence of New York, he was among a number of people who fought against the raging band's of would be Emperor's and Empress's and their armies at the time. He was the one to lead a small band of soldier's and civilian's against them, even if he wasn't all that likely to win much, he still fought on. And then, when it seemed as if he and his ragtag group of fighter's were all but certain to die. Then along came a young prince and his loyal knight, though they were about as young as your Father, who was around your age in fact. The way they fought and spoke, the way they acted against those who sought to just rule other's and nothing else. It made him and his group feel reinvigorated, and so they swore themselves to his cause, even though it was just him and his Knight at the time. And in time they grew in power and strength, until they finally managed to win over the people of the land, and finally brought down the last of the would be tyrant's. Sound familiar?" She explained with a knowing grin...

...

...

...

To think, Dad was in a position not unlike mine and Naoto's...

That his group was the first that Emperor George lead to bring an end to the Emblem of Blood...

It's...

'Amazing?'

That and, funny in a way...

'It seems as if history is to repeat itself in a sense, hopefully for the better...'

Yeah, I'll say.

Although there is one question I have...

"Where do you fit into all of this Mom?" I ask her, a curious look in her eye's.

She looked at me with a smile and said "Well, towards the ending month's of the conflict, your Father happened to stumble across a young Japanese woman around his age, and found her to be a good friend and colleague, she stood by his side, even though she did not wish to fight or kill. She still stood loyal to him either way, and in time they came to be good friend's with the Prince and a Young Woman who even though she was a commoner by blood, had proven herself to be a figure the Japanese Woman found herself wanting to emulate one day, but she felt fine being by her friend's side. And then when it was all finally over, your Father and the woman he found himself with came to fall in love, and then they wed, and had a good son and a beautiful daughter."

"So, that's how you guy's met huh? In the fire's of conflict and war?" I said to her.

She nodded and said "Indeed my dear, so believe me when I say I have no intent of leaving you and Naoto and your Father to fight. I didn't have the chance to prove it before, so I will do so now. For the sake of my family, and myself."

The two of us held each other in a tight embrace, Mother and Daughter bonding over similar experiences and fact's of life...

"I'm glad to have you as my mother, Mama." I said to her.

"And I am blessed to have you as my daughter, Kallen." She tells me.

"Just as I am grateful to have you both in my life, as well as Naoto of course." Dad say's standing beside the door.

Mom has a happy look in her eye's and say's "Come over here you! We were just talking about you!"

Dad smiles and walks over and say's "I heard it all, to be honest. I can't help but find it amusing how I once served a Prince in a war to save our nation, and I serve his son now to help take back that same nation once more."

We all share a good laugh at the fact of how thing's are...

'Like Father like son? Right?'

And like Mother, like Daughter, in a lot of way's.

'Or perhaps the other way around in this case.'

It is what it is, I'm glad either way...

The three of us share a warm family embrace, the kind I haven't had in year's...

But sadly, time wait's for no one though, and we have our duties for today...

"Well, I think it's time I head for school, be seeing you!" I tell my Mom and Dad.

"Hold it." Dad say's before I walk out to head outside.

"What is it father?" I ask.

He smiles and say's "How about you give your Mom and Dad a kiss before you go, alright sweetie. For old time's sake?"

I smile and say "Yeah, why not, and here's hoping to many more."

I walk up to them both and share a hug and kiss on the cheek from them both, and get ready to head out for today...

Robert P.O.V.

I am so proud of my little girl...

How she's willing to go through the same ordeals as I and Hinata did, at least she has her Brother to look out for her...

Though granted, it might be more of her looking out for HIM!

"What's so funny?" Hinata ask's.

"It's just how even though Kallen is the younger of the two, she act's the more mature and grown up out of them both." I say to her.

She smiles at me and say's "She is a wonderful girl, and I have no doubt she will make a fine leader alongside Lelouch."

"You feel it too huh?" I say, knowing how she also could tell the two of them are meant for each other.

"Indeed, they looked so much like George and Marianne did back then, even if they kept it to themselves." She said.

"Or like how we were with each other?" I say, recalling those day's...

How hard they had been...

And how rewarding it felt to feel as if we had won...

But it look's like it was just a battle as a part of a longer war...

One that has probably been going on for far longer than us...

Looking into her eye's I tell Hinata "I promise you this my dear, when this is all over. I will have you as my Wife again, and nothing will tear us apart again. I fell it would be unkind for the Mother of a Future Empress to be unwed and unrecognized for her effort's. And also, that we can live out our day's in peace. And I ASSURE you this, I will do everything in my power and beyond to live to the day in which I can walk Kallen down the aisle to be wed to Lelouch, just I know you will promise to be there for her, and that we can live to see our Grandchildren be born and grow into the amazing world our children will create..."

She look's at me with happy tear's in her eye's and say's "I know, Robert. I will promise this as well, I wish to see the wonderful world our children will forge and that their children will inherit. And I know you know how it is to have her with us again..."

I smile, knowing what she mean's...

"Indeed, it feels so long ago, when we thought it would be the last of our Little Girl, but she's with us again. And neither of us will leave her behind too soon, I think it would only be fair to see what sort of family she could create. I know she has all the qualities of a loving wife and Mother. It's a shame she couldn't be with the man who could provide her such thing's." I tell her, Memories of how our old lives ended with her crying among the sight of so many she cared for dead. Only to recall how happy we were to have met the one that held part of her soul, and yet also how joyful it was to see the two halves be reunited, even if only for a brief time...

"We won't leave her again, and I am sure that Lelouch is the one she was always meant to have, my love. I am sure of it." She say's.

We didn't need to say any more word's. And how I felt it only fitting we should kiss, to feel her lips on my own...

And perhaps to rekindle the old passion we had left buried so long ago...

And that Bitch won't make a fuss about it, since Lelouch made sure to keep her from bothering us...

That boy, once considered a Demon to the world, can now be what he was always meant to be...

A true Ruler, a proper savior to the world...

And a proper Husband and Father...

Lelouch, and whatever else you might have gone by, we have our thank's to you...

Lelouch P.O.V.

Honestly, sometime's I wonder why I even have to attend class at time's...

I guess it's mostly for a formality than anything else, to make it seem like I am actually paying attention more than anything else...

Still, it gives me time to think and figure thing's out...

'Like how you are going to treat Kallen to a proper date?'

I guess I should, if only because it would be a good cover story if nothing else...

"Hey, Lelouch. Something on your mind?" Rivalz asks me.

Should I tell him?

'Just to see how he and the rest react.'

I guess there is no way of putting it off is there?

'Nope. But I am going to enjoy the look's on their face's!'

As much as how you freaked out that Blond Bitch?

'DEFINITELY! You know it!'

Oh well, might as well...

"I was just wondering how I should go about treating someone on a date is all..." I say with a neutral look and tone, as if I was talking about the weather or something...

Needless to say, EVERYONE in class stopped whatever they were doing and looked at me...

Including Ohgi and Kallen...

Ohgi P.O.V.

D-did I just hear that right?

Was Lelouch...

LELOUCH OF ALL PEOPLE!

Asking for advice on how to treat someone on a DATE!

...

...

...

That is...

Not something you'd expect, based on what I've heard from the rest of the staff and student's...

I guess Kallen's going to have quite the experience!

Good luck you two!

Kallen P.O.V.

W-was that...

WAS THAT HIS WAY OF ASKING ME OUT ON A DATE?

...

...

...

'Well, you have to admit, it's clever, and something you could tell Lelouch would do if he ever felt like it...'

Yes, but this is LELOUCH we are talking about here!

'So? What about it?'

It's...

Just...

Strange is all...

Nunnally P.O.V.

Oh Brother, you have quite the way of asking a girl out, hopefully Shirley doesn't feel upset about this...

But even still...

I'm rooting for you!

Lelouch P.O.V.

Okay, this is starting to get a bit annoying...

'But you have to admit, the look's on they're face's are PRICELESS!'

Indeed, it is something to behold...

"Um, that's a funny joke and all Lelouch, but um. What are you really thinking about?" Rivalz ask's me, and to be fair it would see rather out-of-character for me to have a sudden interest in having a date with someone.

"I wasn't joking Rivalz. I am honestly considering how I should treat a young lady on a proper date. Like say, perhaps, Miss Stradfield as an example." I say.

Needless to say, aside from Rivalz, Kallen, Nunnally, Rai, Shirley, and Ohgi, everyone else just fell with a collective THUD!

...

...

...

Is it really that surprising?

'You've shown ZERO Interest to ANYONE of the girl's here, and all of a sudden you pick the like's of KALLEN STRADFIELD AS AN EXAMPLE!'

...

'...'

...

'...'

Oh, I guess that make's sense now...

'You, GUESS!'

Moving on please...

'Fine...'

"So, you want to go out with KALLEN? I mean her family's a big deal and all sure, but why?" Rivalz ask's.

I give a slight smirk and say "I think there is more to her than what most people see in her is all."

Needless to say Kallen looked scared...

As in SCARED...

I should be mindful in what I say and how I say it, unless I would rather blow her cover...

'I'm sure there is something she could 'blow' on if you get my meaning...'

Do not attempt to bother me with such crude humor, it is unbecoming of me...

'FINE! Wiseguy.'

Thank you...

"Um, okay. But um, maybe you could just, be yourself?" Rivalz say's.

I give him a flat look and say "Do you REALLY think someone like her would be interested in me being 'myself' as you put it?"

He winces at the realization of how I normally act in the school and say's "Okay I guess not, but perhaps just-"

"I don't mind!" I hear Kallen speak up.

"Huh?" The rest of us go at her statement.

"I-I don't mind you being how you are." She say's, with a nervous look on her face and a slight blush on her cheek's.

"Really? What's to say that who I really am is something no one else really know's about?" I question her, judging her response...

"I-I don't really see how's that the case, I mean. With you being how you are, how could you be anyone else?" She say's...

It's, not bad. I will admit that much, just...

'Mixed messaging?'

In a sense. Still I guess she isn't wrong per-say...

"Then I guess I should ask you then, Kallen Stradfield. Would you- would you like to go out on a date with me?" I say in a low voice, unable to feel so confident in actually saying it out loud...

'Good thing no one else is awake to notice, otherwise You'd have girl's wanting you all over...'

Kallen P.O.V.

Oh. My. GOD!

He just asked me out...

ASKED. ME. OUT!

This is...

'Interesting?'

That and, I'm not sure how to respond...

'I think the answer is obvious, accept it DUH!'

But I don't know HOW to accept it!

'Oh for the love of- JUST SAY YES!'

R-Really?

'Yes, just say. 'Yes I'll go out with you' and he'll accept it!'

O-oh. Okay then...

Okay Kallen, Breath in, and out...

In...

Out...

...

...

...

"Y-yes, I'll g-go out on a d-date with you." I say.

THERE I SAID IT! HAPPY NOW!

'Very much so...'

Lelouch P.O.V.

She...

Actually accepted my offer...

...

...

...

'Wow, now what?'

Now, I need to start planning place's, where ideal spot's to go for, and-

'WOAH! Easy there man EASY! Don't think about all the details, otherwise you'll ruin it all...'

In that case, what do I do?

'Let's take it slow and simple, how about we say to meet up after school?'

Yes, that's a good idea...

"Very well then, how about we meet up after school is over and see how we go from there?" I say to her, trying to capture my confidence in my voice again.

"Um, yes. That might be a good starting point." Kallen say's, a blush clear on her face. And I know better than to claim otherwise on my own...

Sazaku P.O.V.

I found myself running a little late due to being held up by Loyd, but I manage to get into class with Ohgi-sensei...

He's actually not a bad teacher to be honest. And it also help's to explain how he and Viletta Nu can meet up, since both are working as part of the school staff now.

Him as a Teacher, and Her as a Phys Ed coach...

Now then, I wonder what craziness I am going to walk into today...

"Sorry I was late! I just..." I trailed off at seeing many of the rest of the class was out cold with the exepction of Lelouch, Rivalz, Nunnally, Kallen, Rai, Ohgi, and Shirley...

Though in Shirley's case it seemed like she was close to fainting...

And Lelouch and Kallen were as red as the Guren, if not even more so if that was possible!

...

...

...

What the hell is going on today?

"Um, can someone explain what is going on?" I ask aloud.

"Oh it's simple Suzaku, my Brother has finally asked Kallen to go out on a date with him!" Nunnally say's with a bit of smug pride in her voice...

Wait a second...

LELOUCH ASKED KALLEN OUT ON A DATE!

...

...

...

I'm not even going to complain about it this time...

THUD!

Lelouch P.O.V.

Suzaku, you are a good friend indeed...

Thanks for breaking the tension, I'll get you up quickly.

ZZT!

"AH! Oh, well thank you whatever THAT was." Suzaku say's as he jolt's awake, knowing that Shirley is still conscious so as to not reveal my abilities...

"You alright Shirley?" I say addressing her, the poor Girl must be Heartbroken over this. But I need to set the record straight between me and her once and for all,,,

"I'm. Fine. Really it's okay." She say's in a way that everyone present know's she is lying.

'How are we going to handle this?'

Only one real way to do it, sorry Shirley, but it will feel better for you later on, I'm sure of it...

"Shirley, I know you have feelings for me. But I am afraid I don't view you that way, and while I can't say such feeling's are reserved for Kallen here. But I want you to know I have and always will consider you a close friend of mine. I am sorry for giving you such pain and heartbreak, but I am sure you will find a man who will return such love you have for me. All I ask is that you don't do anything to take your life short before you meet such a man. Please, for me." I say to her, trying my best to ease the pain she has...

...

...

...

Honestly, it felt easier the first time around in my old life...

'What do you mean?'

In my senior year at high school, there was this lovely looking girl who I had classes with, a kind personality and a good heart. And she was pretty to boot. And yet...

'You didn't feel the same way she did...'

Yeah, doesn't help she waited until we were going to graduate to confess her feeling's. Though to be honest, I guess she was always shy, or never had the time to admit it otherwise, since I never really did try to hang out with other's in any physical capacity...

'How did she handle it?'

I can't say she was fully upfront with her emotion's, but she appeared to handle it well enough as it was...

'So why did you turn her down? Seemed like a good enough gal to be with...'

I know, but I didn't feel the same way, and...

'And?'

I had moved around a lot in my old life, and I was certain I would do so again after we graduated, so if there was to be a relationship, it would be just a long distance one. Not so much between continents, but I didn't want her to put up with a guy like me who would probably be leaving them all behind, her included...

'What do you think happened to her?'

I don't know, I hope she died in peace, if nothing else...

'...'

...

Seem's Shirley took it as well as she could, and ran off...

Though there was concern, I felt she took my word's to heart well enough, and I just hope she can find a good enough man to love her...

Euro Britannia, around the same time...

Ashley Ashra had never really had many people to care for in his life...

His parent's abandoned him, and he was taken into the Order of Michael...

Yet for some reason, he felt as if his heart held a slight pain just now...

"Everything alright Ashra?" Shin Huyga-Shiang asked him.

"Just fine sir, nothing wrong." Ashley told his commanding officer and leader of the Order.

Honestly, while for a time Ashley counted the man to be a trusted person, he felt...

Troubled around the man lately...

As if the face he presented to himself and the other's, as well as that of his adoptive mother and sister seemed...

Wrong...

Though he was never one to openly say such thing's, now though he felt as if it was getting valid concern...

Not to mention how apparently the Lord of Wraith's had begun to take an...

Interest, as it were in both Shin, and Jean Rowe, a fellow member...

If it were anyone else to take an interest, Ashley would think nothing of it, as a Noble might be impressed by their feat's of skill...

But considering it's the Lord of Wraith's that appear's to have an interest...

Let's just say he would rather avoid dealing with them if at all possible now...

And yet, due to him being the new Grandmaster, he has to deal with the young man regradless...

Still, for some reason he feels as if he were to try to reach out to whatever is causing him a slight sense of pain, it's as if there is something else willing to accept him into it's protection...

...

He heard the rumor's of the so called Specter's of Justice, and how they sought to protect those they felt were tied to whosoever they were bound to guard above all other's...

Ashley Ashra prayed he would be among them too now...

'Not to worry young man, your heart is pure and noble, if reckless at time's. You need not fear the vile foe taking your soul...'

"Something wrong?" Shin asked.

"Nothing sir, just the wind." Ashley said, figuring it was nothing more than his mind...

Ashford Academy...

Shirley P.O.V.

I'm sorry Lelouch...

I'm sorry you have to deal with my crush...

I just hope you're right and I am able to not try to end it all before I meet a guy who can care for me...

'You need not worry my dear. You are one of his trusted friend's, despair will never claim you, so long as you cherish the one's you care for...'

Huh? Who said that?

...

...

Well, whoever you are. Thank you...

Cherish the one's I care for huh? I will, not just Lelouch, but everyone else as well!

'Good girl, may you hold firm in the time's to come my dear. You and all of the other's shall need it...'

I will, I will!

Lelouch P.O.V.

Huh, that felt, strange...

'What did?'

It almost felt as if there was some kind of link being forged between Shirley, and someone else...

'Any idea who they are?'

No, but whoever they are, I hope to ensure they are kept safe by my action's...

'I'm sure when we can do something more, they will be...'

Yes, for now though, let's just enjoy out time however we can...

And what are we doing you might be asking?

Well, I figured it would be best to keep thing's simple and just walked with Kallen around the park...

That way it meant she would not be see acting out of her 'Sickly' act and nothing to indicate me of anything odd...

Of course then we found ourselves having our time disrupted by a bunch of Britannian's picking on a Japanese man selling hot dog's...

I walk up to the fools and say to them "Do you really think it's worth wasting your time beating on this man?"

They stop and one of them say's "Oh yeah? And who are you to be telling us what to do huh?!"

I calmly tell them "I was just thinking of getting something simple to eat with my Date, only to find you fools beating on the man I was hoping to order from."

They surround me and Kallen and the head guy say's "Oh yeah? Well I think we can give your lady here something worthwhile, and as for you..."

I cut him off and say "I find that hard to believe, both in term's of having any good taste, and in lacking anything of worth to define you as a man..."

It take's them a second to get what I just said, and I can't help but smirk at the look of rage on their face's...

"THE HELL YOU GETTING AT PUNK!" The leader say's while grabbing my shirt collar.

"That you made a big mistake in trying to assault me and my Date is all..." I tell him before I grab his arm and twist it into a painful hold.

"AGH! What the Fu-!" He say's before I cut him off by slamming him into the ground.

"Didn't your mother teach you not to curse out at anyone, or did she not care enough for you while she slept with whatever wealthy man would have her please them?" I taunted the man.

"GET THIS BASTARD! KILL HIM!" He shout's to his cronies...

They rush at me head on, idiot's they are. It prove's easy to dodge them and a few well placed strike's they go down easily enough...

"I'll have you know my Parent's are married and I am legitimate, thank you very much." I say to the fallen dimwit's before I see the head man holding Kallen hostage with a knife by her throat...

"OKAY ASSHOLE! HERE'S HOW IT'S GONNA GO DOWN, YOU ARE GONNA LET ME WALK AWAY WITH THIS CHICK! OR I AM GONNA CUT HER UP REALLY BLOODY LIKE!" He yell's at me...

I laugh at the whole affair...

"Huh? WHY THE HELL ARE YOU LAUGHING! THIS SOME KIND OF GAME TO YOU?!" He yells out.

"Oh no, I'm just laughing because of how you picked the worst person to hold hostage. My Lady, I do believe it's time you showed this idiot some manner's if I would be so kind as to say..." I say while giving a bow to Kallen...

She get's what I mean by it and smirk's as she has her foot stomp the dimwit's own and knees him in the groin...

Might I say she looked wonderful while she stood over the man in question.

"Next time, don't assume all young ladies are defenseless girls who can't hold their own. Pig." She say's while kicking the man in the groin again for good measure...

"Alright break it up! What happened?" A policeman ask's as he come's up to the scene.

"Well then, officer. I was simply wanting to enjoy my Date with this lovely young lady right here. Only to have our wonderful day and sight be marred by the uncouth action's of these ruffian's. She complained how it was bothering her and as a proper gentleman, I felt honor bound to ensure her well being. So I ensured these men wouldn't cause anymore of a scene nor act in a more... Lecherous nature to put it politely, or would you rather I simply tell you it as it is." I explain to the man.

He only take's a few second's to get what I meant and say's "Oh! No, not at all young man! And quite noble of you to ensure the defense of your Girlfriend's honor and maidenhood. A shame there aren't more guy's like yourself these day's."

Huh...

'He meant that it was nice of you to keep them from-'

I KNOW WHAT HE MEANT!

"I AM NOT HER BOYFRIEND!" I exclaim in embarrassment.

Kallen P.O.V.

"I AM NOT HIS GIRLFRIEND!" I shouted to the policeman, even if he seemed nice, it was rude of him to assume as such.

"Oh! My apologies to you both! I just assumed since you both appear to be on a Date and seem so happy I just assumed..." The policeman say's.

"It's, nothing really about it! But thank you for coming either way officer, and the man they were beating on earlier?" Lelouch ask's.

The Policeman take's a look at the Japanese vendor man who was being beaten on and take's a grimace at the man's state.

He say's to us. "It seem's he took quite the beating, now I'm not really meant to do anything for people like him. But considering it looked as if the two of you were concerned for the man, and that you probably just wanted some food from him, I suppose I can help out. Beside's I've heard he sells rather good Hot Dog's if you ask me."

The Vendor look's at us in shock and say's "Oh! You don't have to do such a thing for me honestly!"

Lelouch simply walk's over to the man and give's him his hand and say's "As humble as it is for you to say that. It's our choice to help you, so let us help you then."

The Vendor look's at Lelouch and then the outstretched hand and say's "I suppose if you insist, then I guess I have to accept."

The Policeman, Lelouch, and myself, help the man get himself set up again with his cart and are offered free hot dog's for our action's...

"Please! I insist! You don't have to pay me!" The man exclaim's, trying to get Lelouch to not have to pay anything.

"Nonsense, you are a good man. This is simply my way of repaying for not only your effort's to myself and my date, for all of the thing's you have done." Lelouch say's while insisting the vendor accept's his payment.

Ultimately the vendor realizes he is going to get anywhere otherwise and accept's it...

"Thank you very much! Kind sir!" The vendor exclaims with tear's in his eye's.

Lelouch for his part simply waves it off and say's "Think nothing of it, but I implore you to use it to help improve your life. And not have it be wasted on thing's such a Refrain, don't wallow around and think only of the past, but try to think of the Future a little every now and then. You'll never know what might happen."

'He's so kind! If you didn't know any better you'd think he was some sort of Saintly Figure!'

Yeah, but even if he end's up killing other's, I guess it doesn't change who he is deep down...

'Even an Angel must kill if it required...'

Yeah, but I like to think of him as a noble Demon above all else...

Lelouch P.O.V.

Honestly it bother's me how much good people must suffer and how little can be done to fix it...

'Not so much the fact that action isn't taken as it is the state of thing's that cause it to be like this at the very core...'

Yes, one of many thing's I hope to change for the better, even though I know not everyone will welcome it, it is needed regardless...

'Kind of make's you wish a Rebellion wasn't needed, right?'

I wished it were so, sadly it seem's we have no other option's to ensure such a change might occur...

"I do not mean to impose on either of you two kid's, but would you mind if I sit here with you both? I just got off duty." The police officer say's

"Not at all, have a seat good sir." I say while offering a spot for him to sit on the bench Kallen and I have enough room for.

"Ah, thank you." The Officer say's.

"So then, might we know your name mister?' Kallen ask's the man in a polite tone.

"Miguel, Miguel O'Hara, milady." Officer Miguel say's.

...

Huh, what do you know?

'I'll say, though I suppose there isn't much more to this guy's story beyond what we have to talk about.'

Yeah, but still, huh.

"Alright then, so then, Officer Miguel. Is there a reason why you felt it best to not bother with going about standard treatment of that Honorary Britannian there?" I ask the man.

He sigh's and say's "Honestly, I was bothered by how the poor guy kept getting beaten and no one bothered to do anything, I was going to step in when they focused on you two. But I guess you two are tougher than you look huh?"

"Well, I suppose we are. Then again it help's making whoever we do face underestimate us. Which I might say is just as important to deal with in a fight as actually finishing it." I explain to O'Hara.

He nod's in understanding and say's "Yeah, lot of time's it isn't so much how hard you hit, but how smart you hit. And well, let's just say I feel as if you two hit hard AND smart when you get into a fight huh?"

"I suppose, but it would be rather unfitting of a person of my status to get in fight's all the time, so I have to act as if I am less capable then I am in public." Kallen explains.

O'Hara gives us a bit of a sad smile and say's "It's a shame you have to hide yourselves, you kid's seem pretty good too. But then again same could be said for a lot of good folk's these day's..."

"What do you mean? If it's no real issue." I ask.

O'Hara sigh's and say's "It's just that, under the current Regime. It's expected of us cops to just beat down or mistreat anyone who isn't a 'Pure Britannian' in their eye's. Me? I joined the force to protect people regardless, it's what the old emperor would have done..."

"You mean Emperor George Lux Britannia?" I ask in a lowered voice so as to not draw attention.

He look's at me in surprise and say's "Yeah, how'd you know kid?"

I simply smirk and say "I make an effort to be aware of the world around me, even if some would rather have people forget, I am not someone who would be willing to forget the past, for in it lies the mean's to help create a better future in a sense."

He smirk's a little of his own and say's "Glad to see SOME of the younger generation has some brain's in them, and I assume the lady with you think's the same way on a lot of thing's huh?"

"I-That is..." I try to say.

"I do actually." Kallen interject's.

O'Hara look's at her and say's "Oh yeah? Then what do you know about what he did after the Emblem of Blood then?"

She has her face in a bit of thought before she say's "As soon as he was crowned Emperor, he made sure to have focus be put on reconstructing the nation and rebuilding the economy. Prioritizing the most heavily affected cities and region's despite the protest of a number form some of the Nobility. And then he..."

I figure it would be good to step in and show my own understanding of it and said "And then he established a proper place in the government for the common people to have a place to represent themselves proper on the Imperial Senate. And when he was asked why he simply said that 'I have stood beside common man and Noble alike, to see them be treated as anything less with respect when they have deserved it is unfair and a poor act on my own behalf as Emperor." which among other thing's. Galvanized his support among the populace at large to height's not seen since the day when Clarie li Britannia returned to have her rightful claim to the throne and put herself as Empress."

Miguel and Kallen looked at me in shock for what I just said. Until He laughed and said "You really ARE one to know you history eh kid?"

I give a humble smirk and say "I do try to be aware of thing's."

"I couldn't agree more, sir." O'Hara say's

"Oh you misunderstand, I am not a Knight or any such thing, not even a Lord! I am just a simple young man is all..." I say, trying not to give the wrong impression.

"It's fine, honestly it's good to know there are good people like the two of you in this world who are still trying to make thing's better. Hope you two learn from the mistake's of your Elder's and improve when possible." He say's to us.

"Thank you very much Mr. O'Hara, well I suppose we should be continuing our Date, right Lady Kallen..." I say standing up and offering my arm for Kallen to wrap around, we already finished eat so it was only about time we got going.

"Of course, it was nice talking to you sir." Kallen say's as she has her arm loop around mine and we get ready to walk off.

"And it was a pleasure to talking to you both! Have a nice time out you two!" He say's.

We both wave off to him and continue on our day...

Honestly, today was a nice and rather fun day...

Ranger P.O.V.

Ah, it is so nice to see them grow and blossom their relations with each other...

'Indeed, it is great to see them do so well'

"They seem like good kid's those two, though considering they have the two of you keeping an eye out for them, it's only expected." Miguel say's as he walk's by our perch.

"So, what did you think of them? Think they have what it take's?" Wayfinder ask's him.

"Look's like it yeah, they seem to have a strength to them most wouldn't see at first glance. I'm sure they're parent's are proud of them" He say's.

"Indeed they are, and may they hold firm in the fight's to come." I say to him.

"So, I guess I should call it in for these guy's to get picked up and sent to the station then. You two okay with that?" He ask's us.

"Indeed, and while we could have given them a good scare, we just don't feel like it today. Best of luck Officer..." Wayfinder say's.

And with that, he goes to make sure everything is in order.

'Well then my good sir? Would you escort this lady on a pleasant outing of her own wishes?'

Of course my Love, it would be nice to feel a bit normal for a change...


A/N: And that's it for this chapter! So I mostly just write whatever come's to me so sorry if it feels a bit odd in some place's. Some time's I have it being set up one way, only to find it going a different direction altogether. Still I think it's not bad considering everything...

Anyhow, make sure to leave a review.

Til next time!