"So this goes here and then..." Lelouch pointed at as he and Nanoha sat at one of the cafe tables whist tutoring the girl on her homework. It was his way of repaying a debt to Nanoha helping him out by helping with her assignments by making it easy to understand for a nine-year-old girl.

Nanoha took to his instructions like a sponge, finally understanding the solution easier than she ever could learn in cram school as her pencil was practically flying across the paper and filling in answers faster than she could follow. Only by Lelouch's hand quickly intervening did she realize how far she went as he looked over her answers.

"Nanoha, problems 13 and 32 are wrong." he stated in an even tone that caused the girl to flinch at. All this happening while her family watched in amusement at how flustered she is screwing up like that. When the clock chimed Lelouch paused from what was about to be a mild admonishment to look at the time before sighing.

"Whelp, looks like my time here is up, better get ready for tomorrow then. Take care Nanoha...Takamachi family." he added in with a polite nod as they waved him farewell as he jogged off.

Once he was several blocks away, he stepped into an alleyway as the shadows danced around the corners as twisted shapes on the walls appeared. "What now?" Lelouch demanded as the shadowy object spoke to him in a familiar tone.

"The girl's true path has begun; tomorrow is her encounter with the one who set her unto that she is meant to be. What will you do?" the entity inquired.

"What do you think?" Lelouch smirked as he unclipped something from his belt and put it on his face: a mask of sorts with its eye silts glowing. "I'm still tutoring her." the boy replied as it was altered with armor manifesting itself around him.

The demon's laugh haunted the evening hour.

*The Next Day-After School*

Lelouch followed Nanoha after school via rooftops, his gifted abilities made leaping over things easier after his battle with a giant monster bigger than them a lesson before she and her friends took the path through the woods. Donning his mask and armor, he leapt from treetop to treetop in order to catch up.

He had to be quiet and make sure Nanoha heeded her calling, whatever it was wasn't his concern but making sure she's alright is a priority. What he saw her find was an animal and then something clicked when he saw the gem on its neck and a hint of energy in it.

...Was this really...?

"Yes Lelouch, like out of a mahou shōjo manga." the entity within him deadpanned as the masked one was somewhat relieved and at the same time worried.

"Comparing fictional magical girls to what would happen in reality is a bad thing. Fictional ones usually end up with happy endings but since this is reality, we're talking about she's..."

"Correct on the assumption Lelouch, and you're still her tutor. Perhaps giving her some lessons tonight will seal the deal so to speak?"

Lelouch could only nod and prepare himself before feeling like he was getting involved with something big in the future. One that he would most likely regret getting involved in.

/\\/\\

He hated being right, because here at the vet's place where Nanoha took the little ferret she found a strange blob of fur was attacking the thing when Nanoha ran over. Why she was out late was meant to be for this situation and he was suited up to the occasion.

As Nanoha fled with the ferret to town, Lelouch stepped in as the creature growled at him. Emitting a bit of his power the creature recoiled at the difference between them and felt fear as it realized it was picking a fight with an apex predator. Flexing his hand, electricity surged from it as he leapt into action.

The creature was scared out of its wits as it was being used like a plaything to the monster. It harmed it with thunder, smashed fists with ruthless calculations and a hint of sadism underneath its armor. It hurt so much, it hurt, it hurt, it hurt!

Despite not being able to properly speak it tried to beg-appeal to the superior being's better nature as it ceased. It scoffed at the creature before leaving, finding no more amusement from it as it was a blow to the creature's pride. But it still had a job to do-hunt down the one that sought to stop its existence.

"Are you sure that was wise to leave be?"

"Who cares, all I did was juggle with it. Nothing more than small fry, weakened enough for Nanoha to beat."

"And leaving this mess to her to clean up?"

"She'll handle it, got to have a little faith in her right?"

"Given of what she will become in the future, I have no doubt."

Lelouch had no idea what Nanoha's future was going to be, but he had faith that the nine-year-old would become something special in the far future. For now, he'll aid in the shadows and expose himself when the time comes.

For his next step, a place of residence with no strings attached.