Chapter 10: Birthday Goodbyes

Alternate Chapter Title: All For Nunnally

August 5, 1991

Seven years old now. Father actually showed up and looked at my art work. I think he liked it. He didn't take it with him when he had to leave.

September 12, 1991

Gabrielle is becoming father's new consort. I think that means I'm going to have a new sibling soon. There were lots of knights at the party which made Cornelia happy. She wants to be a knight. I don't think she understands that girls aren't supposed to be knights. There were lots of nobles at the gathering. Everyone wanted to shake my hand. I don't remember any of their names. I hope father isn't disappointed.

January 16, 1992

Gabrielle lost the baby. Everyone is really sad. I'm going to write a "Get Well Soon" note. I hope she doesn't mind.

The war is starting to settle down. Some of the adults are saying, that it'll be over soon. It's just Brandon vi Britannia and Charles zi Britannia. They're not taking much military actions. It's sort of nice, knowing no one is going to die.

July 12, 1992

The peace is broken. It's hard to understand. But Brandon declared himself the 97th Emperor. I think he's father's uncle. Father says he is the rightful heir, because his father was supposed to ascend to the throne before being assassinated. The staff is talking about moving again. With father in opposition, it's only a matter of time before he is targeted by assassins. I hope they'll be able to find a compromise.

August 5, 1992

Eight years old doesn't feel that different from seven years old. I'm still just as useless. Father didn't show up, I wonder what he's doing. So far nothing has been happening, so maybe he's making peace with the Emperor.

—Excerpts from Odysseus's Journal

Ashford Academy, Tokyo, Area 11

Nunnally lay her cane against the wall and slipped off her shoes, as she entered her warm dorm room. The summer heat hadn't completely passed yet despite fall quickly approaching. The new wood smell was still prominent, but it was slowly being replaced by a tangy musk and the scent of oranges. Allie, her roommate, loved oranges and spent the majority of her stipend buying oranges.

The sound of paper pages brushing against another greeted her. It seemed that Allie hadn't noticed Nunnally's arrival, and once again, had her head stuck in a book. Trying to remember where the furniture was, Nunnally carefully walked to her desk with the braille typewriter. She had a letter to write to Lelouch. Phone calls across different areas were too expensive. Her hand briefly checked for her wallet, where she was saving the meager stipend. She would call Lelouch on his birthday in a few months. It hurt to be so far away and unable to talk to him. Hopefully he was alright.

"Damn it!" Piercing pain shot up her leg as her toes slammed into a chair. Hopping up and down on her leg, Nunnally clutched her foot as she tried to suppress the tears forming in her eyes. That hurt.

"Oh Nunnally, I'm so sorry." Allie raced over to her and guided her gently down into the chair that Nunnally had run into. "I totally forgot. I'm a terrible friend."

Nunnally took a deep breath and forced herself to smile to calm Allie down. "Don't worry. It took Lelouch a while to remember to put everything back exactly where he found it."

"You weren't always blind?"

Nunnally froze. It was so easy to relax around Allie. That wasn't good. She couldn't let anything about her identity slip. But she wanted to trust Allie. She felt nice and never talked down to her. Instead, she shared stories and ideas, always assuming that Nunnally would follow, despite her disability. Only Lelouch treated her as a whole person, even her mother, either through letters or her sparse phone calls, treated her like a piece of glass.

Pushing down her nervousness, Nunnally replied, "There was an accident when I was five. I hit my head really hard. The doctors said I damaged my optical nerve. I can see really bright things, but that's it."

Allie hugged her and the curly hair tickled Nunnally's face. "Thank you for telling me. Is that why your mother has to work always? She needs to pay off medical debts?"

Her mother had always been busy serving the Empire with all her might, but the truth wasn't something that Nunnally could share. Instead, with a bitter taste in her mouth, Nunnally lied, "Something like that. Brother is mad at her for always working."

"Well, he's being silly. Ma and Pa have to work really hard, so Gwen usually watches over me. But they still love me," said Allie.

It would be nice for Lelouch to forgive her and perhaps respond the letters her mother sent. Sadly, Nunnally said, "Lulu always held onto a grudge."

"Are you alright now? I want to head to the market, oranges are on a discount on Fridays. And I need to get you a present for next month."

"You don't need to get me anything."

"Of course I do. It's your birthday and my best friend is turning eight and we're going to celebrate it. If I'm going to give you Lelouch's present, then you're also getting one from me." Allie grabbed her hand, and started pulling her towards the door.

Lelouch had gotten something for her. The desolate feeling in her chest lightened. Her brother remembered; he was always looking out for her. It would never change. "Alright. Wait, I need to put on my shoes."

Allie pressed Nunnally's cane into her hands and fidgeted as she slipped into her shoes. "Come on. We have to go before everyone else gets there. I want the good oranges."

Paris, E.U.

Driving her wheelchair through the narrow cobblestone streets smelling of freshly roasted chestnuts, Marianne observed the small window shops with Bismark trailing her. She finally had time off after two weeks of negotiations that went from dawn to dusk. The other diplomats were surely asleep, but Marianne was on a much belated mission: finding a birthday present for Nunnally. It would unfortunately arrive late, but Marianne would not let Nunnally receive some inconsequential gift from her mother. It had to be perfect. After all, Nunnally still spoke to her, even if she hadn't forgiven her mother completely.

A beautiful pink dress caught her eyes. "Bismark. Do you think Nunnally would like it?"

"Your highness, it's a bit too expensive since," he said and his voice dropped to a whisper, as he added, "she is passing for a commoner."

Right. Marrianne pursed her lips. What had she gotten for her birthday as a child? For her twelfth, plenty of books. A sword for her fourteenth. Neither of those were something Nunnally would enjoy. Maybe something more simple. Her eyes wandered to an elderly man, his back hunched over from excessive strain throughout his life, slowly whittling a piece of wood. Small wooden sculptures stood proudly on the blanket before him.

It was simple. Pathetically so compared to what she had become used to. But it was perfect. Nunnally always loved art, and sculpture was one of the few ways she could still enjoy it.

Marianne stopped before him, the wheels ceasing their rhythmic clicking. The man's gaze slowly traveled from her pristine, black leather boots, up her off-white silk dress and the lace finish on the ruffles, to her dark blue bodice, while his face grew paler. Craning his neck, he caught sight of Bismark and she could see the spark of fear in his eyes, and the muscles coiling, as he prepared to flee.

"How much for a sculpture?" she asked in English, refusing to lower herself to speak in French. Marianne gestured at the assortment laying on the blanket. A wooden flute caught her eye and she leaned out of her wheelchair to pick it up.

The wrinkles on the old man shifted as he nodded and pointed at the item in her hand and held up three fingers, then splayed all ten fingers two times. Twenty-three.

Grabbing a carving of a young girl riding a dolphin, she inspected it. Nunnally would love it. "How much?"

He held out four fingers and flashed ten fingers three times. Thirty-four. His eyes darted between her and Bismark fearfully.

Unwilling to haggle, Marianne pulled out fifty-seven euros and dropped them on the ground. The man grasped for them and bent over to quickly collect them. Scowling at his pathetic display of greed, Marianne rolled backwards. She had other gifts to buy. It wouldn't do for her European friends to get suspicious as to why she would only buy a commoner's item. Perhaps she could get something for Charles? Or a book for Lelouch? They weren't too expensive and an untranslated version of The Count of Monte Cristo would surely please him. It would probably be best to wait to send it, until he actually replied to her letters. She didn't even know if he had read them.

Elizabeth Square, Tokyo, Area 11

Nunnally let Allie grasp her by the upper arm, as she guided them through the crowded market place and past the delicious scents of pumpkin soup. Loud clangs and squealing motors could be heard over the din of Britannians going throughout their day. Cold air blasted Nunnally as they stepped inside a building and she could hear the sound of hammers and drills as Britannian commoners worked to rebuild Tokyo. She had never seen Tokyo, but Nunnally couldn't help but grieve for what was one a proud Japanese city.

"This mall is cool! And I can't believe how fast they got it done. Must have put some Elevens to work." Allie pulled on Nunnally's hand as she ran to the side. "Oh. Look at this! It's so pretty. And there's a boutique. It looks so fancy."

Nunnally let her friend drag her along as she darted from window to window and chattered excitedly.

Strong smells struck her nose, and Nunnally pulled back as she wandered over. It smelled nice. And there, mixed between lavender and the smell of berries, was the familiar and agonizing smell of cherry blossoms.

Allie stopped. "Right. I wish you could see all of this Nunnally. It does smell nice, although," her skirt rustled as she opened a zipper, "I don't think we can afford anything here."

"It smells so nice," said Nunnally and she pulled her friend inside, who yanked her to the right, out of the way of a customer. With Allie guiding her out of the way, Nunnally followed the scent of cherry blossoms. She wanted something to remind her of Suzaku and the wonderful time they had in Japan. Everything that reminded her of Japan, had been stolen from her, but perhaps she could reclaim a part to treasure.

Nunnally stopped. There it was. Carefully, she reached forward. Surely the scent was there.

"Hey brats! This isn't a place for children. Think you can just waltz in here and scurry around as you please? Now get out!" shouted an irate woman and her heels echoed across the tiled floor. Her accent, as Nunnally was beginning to realize, was of the nobility.

Her back instinctively straightened and she turned to the woman. How dare she be so rude? Their age shouldn't matter and it was completely inappropriate to talk down to them like that.

Before Nunnally could voice her displeasure, Allie cut in, "I'm sorry my lady. We were just curious we will be out of your hair." Allie's shirt brushed against her skirt and the air felt different. Allie jabbed her in the ribs and hissed, "Bow."

Nunnally complied although her body screamed in protest. She wasn't in the wrong. The lady had been.

Allie gave her no time to complain as she pushed her out of the store and back onto the bustling Elizabeth Square. Allie let go of her hand. "Seriously. You're just as bad as Lelouch sometimes. What were you thinking?"

Ignoring Allie's irate tone, Nunnally stood impassively and said, "She shouldn't have spoken to us like that."

"Are you insane? She was a noble!" The world noble was spat with so much vehemence that Nunnally took a step back. Allie took a deep breath. "You can never trust nobility. They'll hurt you if you don't watch your back. That's what they do."

Would Allie hate her if she knew that Nunnally was royalty? Quietly and without any power, she asked, "What of Lord Ashford? He is kind."

Allie snorted. "That's what our lord wants you to believe. He treat us well because it benefits him. But it's not like he cares that nobody can sell anything because he doesn't play politics. Rick and Tom barely had enough to eat this year, their ma had to take a loan, but they canna afford that! But it's not like our lord cares, they aren't smart enough to be worth his attention."

Reuben had been so kind. Surely Allie was mistaken. He always felt genial with soft touches and a warm voice that could never bring harm to anyone. Never had someone spoken ill of him. Her own mother always spoke of him fondly, a tone reserved only for those she considered family. Folding her hands together, she said, "He always is so nice and helpful. And he is funding the school."

Allie grabbed her arms. "Don't fall for his lies. People with money are always lying and putting on," she stumbled over the next word, "facades."

"But,"

"Ain't no but there. That's how they are. That's why we common folk have to stick together. Even if I become famous, I ain't gonna sell myself out to the nobility. No one will ever call me my lady."

Nunnally turned away. "What about Empress Marianne?"

"She sold herself out to the Emperor. She ain't any better than any of the other nobles. Liars the lot of them." Allie ended her angry tirade and suddenly sounded chipper again, "Never mind that. Let's go find some oranges."

Her heart broke, but Allie didn't seem to notice her despondent state as she guided her through the crowd. Nunnally could never tell her friend the truth. Allie would hate her. Suzaku had been her first friend, but he was probably dead despite Lelouch's irrational optimism. And if he were alive, he would surely hate her. Her family had stolen everything from him: his parents, his home, his identity. She had never done anything to Allie, her family never would, she wasn't worthy of their notice, but Allie would still hate Nunnally, simply because of who she was born. It was unfair. She just wanted a friend.

Someone ran into her to her chest. Short and smelling of ash, sweat, and a faint hint of rice. Allie grabbed him and pushed herself between Nunnally and the young boy.

"Sumimasen," the boy cried out and Nunnaly could hear the fear in his voice. Sorry. It had been so long since she had heard Japanese.

"What do you think you are doing," Allie shouted. "Apologize you idiotic Eleven."

The Japanese boy breathed rapidly. She could hear him struggling, meaning Allie must have grabbed him. He sounded terrified as he one again, cried, "Sumimasen."

The boy was sobbing. Nunnally stepped forward, and rested her hand on Allie's back. "Let him go, he said he was sorry."

"No he didn't. I bet he was try to rob us. That's all that Numbers are good for."

Nunnally frowned at her friend. The boy was probably starving. He was too young to work in the mines and nobody would dare to hire an Eleven, definitely not so soon after some terrorists tried to assassinate her mother and various other nobles in Tokyo. Or at least that was the official story, her mother was way too worried about Nunnally and Lelouch's safety, for that to be everything. Pulling out her wallet, she searched for a five pound coin: an octagon with her father's face on it.

Finding the coin, she grasped Allie's shoulder. Turning to where she could hear the boy struggling, she gave a deep Japanese bow and offered the coin. "Sumimasen."

As she held the bow, Nunnally wasn't sure for what she was apologizing. Her friend, her mother, or simply being too weak to help. She had felt the destruction of Japan and smelt the corpses. But she was still living in luxury, she was just as guilty as the rest of her people.

A small hand, rougher than any child's hand should be, grabbed the coin. Nunnally turned to Allie. "Let him go."

Allie's hand brushed against Nunnally as she complied. Surprisingly, instead of the patter of feet Nunnally expected, she heard the boy whisper in reverence, "Arigato." Thank you.

Small feet pattered against the ground and were soon obscured by the sound of Britannians shopping. Allie grasped her hand and said quietly, "Let's return to school."

Nunnally let herself be steered away. She shouldn't have revealed that she knew Japanese. No commoner would. No noble would either. What did Allie think? She wished her friend would speak, say anything, yell at her and proclaim her hatred, instead Allie was silent.

Nunnally hated the silence.

Cornwallis County, Ashford Estate, Pennsylvania

Lelouch slowly slid the pound coins into the slot and listened to them fall into the cavity. A call to Area 11 would cost two pounds per minute. He had saved as much as he could, but food, repairs, and ink ate into his savings more than he expected. Perhaps he should have let Reuben pay him more, instead of protesting. The newspaper did pay more for his help, twenty-five pounds per article he assisted on. Had he been fourteen and legally allowed to be hired full time, he would have earned seventy pounds.

He slid the finally coin in and pulled out Nunnally's last letter to double check the phone number to dial. Despite his inexperience, he was managing to stand on his own two feet. He didn't need the Emperor's money, or his mother's. He would take care of Nunnally just fine. That was his responsibility.

The phone began to ring and Lelouch gingerly lifted the receiver to his ear. It would be great to finally hear Nunnally's voice again.

Something clicked on the other side and impatience burned within him. Not waiting for a reply, he said, "Happy Birthday Nunnally!"

"Nunnally! It's your brother," replied a muffled shout from Allie.

Lelouch fidgeted. He had forgotten they shared a room. It was unlike him.

Finally, at last, Nunnally's sweet, precious, voice resounded through the speaker. How he had missed her. "Hello brother."

"Happy Birthday Nunnally!" And even though she could not see him, he smiled.

"Thank you. How are you? It's so good to hear from you. How many minutes do we have?"

"Eight minutes. And I'm doing well. The job at the newspaper is going well and Lord Ashford still sends me paperwork. I think I've got a permanent cramp in my hand."

Amused laughter filled him with warmth. "Oh Lulu. You can't be lazy anymore. But you are still exercising? The army isn't going to be easy. I don't want you to get sick."

"Everyone morning and evening. I can run a mile now, so don't you worry, I'll be fine," he assured her. He still felt like dying afterwards, but he still had the entire month of November and December to improve his physique. It would have to be enough. The military was the only way forward.

"Allie says you run like a dying cow. And you better exercise more. I do agree brother, I'm so worried for you. I won't be able to call you when you enlist."

His stomach clenched. Enlisting wouldn't be easy. Death was a possibility and who would defend Nunnally then? But if he didn't, he wouldn't be able to defend her either. It had to be enough.

He allowed none of his worry to slip into his tone as he said, "Don't worry Nunnally. I'm going to be fine. And I'll send you as many letters as I can. How is school?"

Thankfully, Nunnally didn't press anymore and allowed the topic to change."It's going great. We don't have many teachers yet, but Lord Ashford hired his old lab assistant, Mr. William Bauer to teach us science. He is so amazing. We do so many cool things in his class."

Lelouch felt himself grown warm despite the freezing evening hair. It didn't matter if his fingers were rapidly turning white as he held the telephone. Nunnally was enjoying herself.

"Next week, we're going to make a battery from scratch. And he says that once we become upper years, he is going to teach us to make a radio," she happily finished.

"That sounds useful."

"It's fun, not useful. Not everything needs to be useful. Then we have Mr. Ricci who's teaching biology and English. On the weekend, he works at the hospital. Sometimes, he gets called away because they need him."

"Sounds interesting, but you are having fun?" asked Lelouch. It wouldn't do for his sister to drown in work. He had to shelter what was left of her childhood. He would protect her, even if that meant sacrificing everything else. It had always been that way and always would be.

"Allie and I are having a lot of fun. Thank you for making this possible Lulu." She paused and then continued on, chiding him, "But you have fun too, you can't be all responsible all the time. Mr. Ricci says stress isn't good for your health."

His eyes burned from fatigue as he lied, "Don't you worry. I'll take care of myself." The line chimed. "I'm out of time Nunnally. I'm sorry that I couldn't get you a present, but shipping..."

"Hearing your voice was the best present you could have gotten me." Her voice became softer. "I miss you brother. Love you."

"Love you too Nunnally. I hope—"

The line cut. Lelouch placed the receiver back and looked up at the horizon where the last remainder of daylight disappeared. Nunnally seemed happy and although his stomach rumbled, he had never felt more fulfilled. As the street lights slowly flickered on, Lelouch forced himself to jog home. He would succeed in the army for Nunnally and then they could talk for as long as they wanted on the phone. He would even have the funds to visit her. That was his goal. A simple life where Nunnally would be happy.

Ashford Academy, Tokyo, Area 11

Nunnally scowled as the line disconnected. She wanted more time with her brother, but there was nothing to do. If she wanted to talk to Lelouch on his birthday, she couldn't squander her stipend greedily. She would just have to wait, like everyone else. For now, Nunnally was part of everyone else. She was just Nunnally Lamperouge with all the benefits and disadvantages that came with it. Yawning, Nunnally turned away, intent on returning to bed. If she hurried, she could take a power nap before her first class.

Moving into her personal space, Allie pressed a small wrapped package in her hand. "Open it. Come on. I want to see your face. I've had the twenty-fifth of October marked forever in my calendar. Go on, please."

Nunnally ran her hand around the package, finding the braille tag. To my best friend, Happy Birthday.

In the past few months, Allie had bugged her constantly to translate certain braille passages. All for this. How long had she been planning this? Overcome with joy, she threw herself at Allie and hugged her. "Thank you, thank you so much. You're amazing."

"You haven't even opened it," she complained. "You can't thank me yet. Now don't keep me in suspense forever."

Tracing the contour of the box, Nunnally found the small piece of tape and began to slowly and delicately peel it off. To the side, Allie fidgeted. The first piece of tape removed, Nunnally began on the next piece.

Allie, impatient, tore the box from her hand. "That's not how you unwrap things."

Paper ripped and Nunnally cringed.

The box, free of wrapping, was shoved back into her hands. "Here you go. Don't know why I wrapped it in the first place..."

Her friend was truly precious. Nunnally felt the box. It was made of cardboard and she could feel something heavy shifting inside of it. Carefully, she unfolded the lid. Her hand reached inside and brushed against a cold hard surface: glass. Inside of the miniature bottle, something swished. She pulled it out and ran her hand along the top, discovering a small cap. It smelled sweet and of rubbing alcohol.

Turning to her friend, Nunnally asked, "What is it?"

"Remove the cap." Allie ordered before guiding her fingers to the cap and helping her to remove it.

The scent of cherry blossoms burst forth and wafted through the air. It was the best of Japan: captured in a small bottle. Nunnally held the bottle reverently, tears forming in her eyes. "Allie, how?"

"It's from Gwen and me. I noticed you looking at it the other day and then... Well, you understood Japanese. Did you have a friend from Japan, from before Britannia invaded?"

In a sense. But Nunnally didn't want to lie, not after her friend must have saved every coin she had and begged her sister to help. Suddenly the conspicuous lack of oranges in the past few weeks made sense. So she told the censored truth, "He was the first friend Lulu and I made. He and Lulu hated each other at first, but then, almost overnight, they became the best of friends. I miss him."

Allie pulled her in for a hug. "I'm sorry you had to lose a friend, but know you have something to remember him by."

Nunnally was crying and clinging onto Allie with a small glass bottle of home in her hands. "Thank you. You're amazing Allie."

"Don't cry Nunnally." Allie pressed a small tissue to her face to blot the tears. "You're supposed to be happy."

"I'm happy." Nunnally hiccuped and smiled as more tears began to form. "I just can't stop crying. I'm so happy. You are an amazing friend and Gwen is amazing."

Allie laughed. "Gwen did basically adopt your brother, although I'm not sure he noticed yet."

"No, Lulu can be a little blind at times." Nunnally chuckled and began to laugh as well. Just the mere thought of her brother cheered her up. She should use some perfume on her next letter. He would probably enjoy it as well. Hopefully the scent wouldn't fade too much in the mail. "Do you want to breakfast?"

"Let me get dressed first Nunnally. Although, as the birthday girl, you could probably get away with going in pajamas."

Breakfast in pajamas would be indecent. Her face burned.

"Just like your brother. Both of you can be so uptight," Allie complained.

Fort Necessity, Pennsylvania

The car came to a halt with a jerk. The seat belt dug into his skin and Lelouch glared at the driver's seat, where Oona, smirked and kissed Rick. The two of them were terrible drivers, but Lelouch couldn't complain about a free ride even if it was by the most uncomfortable car ride he had ever taken.

Gwen raised her eyebrows and smirked. "Think they'll be decent if we leave them alone?"

Lelouch and Rick blushed while Oona chortled. She opened the door. "Come on, I want to get back before sundown, so everyone out."

Shaking his head fondly, Lelouch stepped outside into the freezing winter air. January. Fort Necessity and it's large parking lot greeted him. Buses and cars were parked in long symmetrical rows as soldiers guided incoming traffic and barked viciously at those who veered too far off course. He was finally taking the first step out of his parent's shadows. It was finally time. He wanted to throw up.

Gwen closed the trunk with a loud thud and pushed a duffel bag into his arms. "Come on kiddo. Don't get cold feet now. We're all cheering for you."

Shrugging, Oona locked the door. "More like praying for his survival. He's all skin and bones."

Lelouch scowled and Rick threw his arm over Lelouch's shoulder and then proceeded to ruffle his hair. "They make all the new recruits cut their hair short. I'm going to miss this."

Glaring at the obnoxious, and as always, overly friendly teen, he wondered if Rick meant he would miss Lelouch or the opportunity to make it look like he never brushed his hair. It was hard to tell, but the corners of his mouth twitched upward. In their own unique ways, they care for him. Oona and Gwen would tease him mercilessly, while Rick took every opportunity to abolish the idea of personal space. He would almost dare to say that they were... friends.

"You didn't have to go out of your way to drive me here. I would have managed to arrange transportation for myself," said Lelouch.

Gwen looked almost disappointed. Ominously, she said, "Someday."

"Aww, I made him nervous. Lelouch the robot is returning," said Rick and he laughed loudly, "It's going to be hilarious when the drill sergeant asks you something."

"Why?" Lelouch asked as he warily eyed Rick, out of the corner of his eyes. That smile always spelled personal trouble.

Rick ruffled his hair again. "Never seen anyone besides you be so formal as to make someone else cry. It's a gift kid."

Sputtering, Lelouch said, "I most certainly do not weaponize formality. It's called being polite, you should try it sometime."

Gwen chuckled. "You're doing it again Lelouch."

They were impossible. He wasn't doing anything.

Noticing Lelouch beginning to object, Rick cut in, "Best not argue with Gwen. She's always right. And ya don't her to get mad at you, right?"

Lelouch gulped and placed the duffel bag down on the ground before him. He would ignore them and their pointless needling. Checking the side pockets with Rick looming over his shoulder, he pulled out his forged paperwork, courtesy of Reuben.

"We'd have a problem if you forgot the paperwork," said Rick as he pulled the duffel bag out of Lelouch's grasp and hoisted it onto his shoulders. "Let's get you checked in with the rest of the juniors. Now, there are a few things you should know, always do as the drill sergeant says. Always. No matter what. Also remember to do your laundry and to watch the machine or else someone will ruin your clothes."

Gwen swiped the papers out of Lelouch's hands as he stared at the ground in embarrassment. "Surprised you have them all in order. You're really me-ti-culous aren't you. Usually people forget one. And don't mind Rick, he just likes acting as a proud dad."

Lelouch imagined the Emperor giving advice and carrying a duffel bag on his shoulders, while his robe passed over the muddy ground. It was a ridiculous image and Lelouch couldn't stop himself from snickering. The Emperor would never be caught in such an undignified position, but he glanced at Rick, still chattering his ear off with somewhat helpful advice about fire watch, surviving tear gas, and how to catch up on sleep. Was that what a father was supposed to do?

Approaching the line, helpfully labeled as junior enlistment, Lelouch watched the other families say goodbye to their sons and for a few, daughters. There were tears from parents, although the majority of the youth seemed ready to escape. Closer to the concrete building, adults gathered for the regular enlistment.

All soldiers joined the Britannian army in one of three ways. Those eighteen and younger could join junior enlistment which meant a fifteen year long commitment, but came with benefits such as education. If one couldn't secure an apprenticeship, it was a logical choice. Regular enlistment had no such benefits, but offered higher pay. The last option was through a lord's recommendation for exquisite service in the militia.

Rick stopped and pulled him into a tight hug that squeezed Lelouch's rib and left him gasping for air. "Good luck kiddo. This is the end of the line for us."

Lelouch smiled and accepted the duffel bag back. "It was nice knowing you."

"You earn a day of leave every month. You better save some of those up and visit us," said Gwen with a sniff. "If you don't, I'll tell Allie and she'll tell Nunnally."

Faced with the most dire threat of Nunnally being unhappy Lelouch folded. "I'll visit."

Gwen smiled and passed back the papers. "Don't die."

Oona pulled Rick back and glared at Lelouch. "You will write. I'm expecting a letter every week."

Her gaze bore down on him and Lelouch nodded. She was almost as terrifying as her mother when she finally lost her temper and became deadly efficient with a quiet grace. He turned to all of them and instead of shaking their hands, as he had grown accustomed to, he bowed respectfully. "Thank you for everything. I will write. And remember you."

Rick laughed and ruffled Lelouch's one last time before snagging Oona's arm and turning back to the car. With a wave over his shoulder, he shouted, "See you kiddo."

Oona waved as well, while Gwen stayed behind. She turned and looked at Lelouch fondly and reached out to touch his hair, before pulling her hand back. "You obviously don't like hugs Lelouch, but what about a handshake for good luck?"

Reaching out, Lelouch grabbed her hand firmly. "I'll visit."

"I know. Goodbye." She turned around and hurried to catch up with her friends. She turned around one last time and waved.

Unsure, Lelouch waved back, suddenly feeling very alone. He once again knew no one, but this time Nunnally wasn't there to bridge the gap of awkwardness between him and others. Clenching his fist, he turned around and joined the line.

Worldbuilding Thoughts:

-Britannia may claim to have freedom of the press, but it is heavily censored by either the government or lords withholding essential funding.

-While Tokyo was almost untouched compared to other Japanese cities, it still needs repairs. Furthermore, Britannia wants to homogenize it so many iconic buildings and such are either torn down or purposefully untouched. Slowly, Tokyo is evolving into ghetto and non-ghetto areas.

-Realistically speaking, one can't open a brand new type of school and expect it to be fully enrolled. Ashford Academy is heavily under construction and the majority of students are there as test subjects from the Ashford Estate.

Author's Note:

Thank you x1tears1X on FFN for your help with this chapter. If anyone else wants to beta, just ask? :)

This was the makeup chapter 1 out of 2. Next update is on Wednesday, like normal. Benefit of Nanowrimo: an excess number of chapters.

For my guest reviewers: I love you, but I can't respond. :( If you want a reply, consider making an account or reviewing anonymously on A03.