Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass. It belongs to its creator. I only own this little fanfiction, and a few books.

Chapter 5

Aya

Zero was put onto the ship that had survived the mysterious bubbles, and Suzaku finally shut up about me being there. After all, there wasn't going to be a fight today anyway.

"You're going to cooperate with the Special Administrative Region of Japan? That doesn't mean your sins can be erased, though." Suzaku threatened.

"Shut up Suzaku. This guy isn't the same Zero, remember? You got your revenge." I scolded him.

"Suzaku…" Gino warned.

"I know." Suzaku said. "We'll retreat for now."

The next day I waited for Suzaku to return from school. I wanted to do something with him to make him forgive me for coming along the day before.

I walked outside and saw him checking the Knightmares.

"Suzaku-kun!" I called cheerfully. He didn't hear me.

"Kururugi Suzaku, you traitor! Prepare to die!" a soldier who was an Eleven cried. He ran towards Suzaku, a knife ready.

"SUZAKU!" I screamed, running towards him. I ran in the middle of him and the soldier protectively.

"Aya!" he cried and pushed me away. He flipped the soldier over onto the ground. I tripped and fell, banging my head on one of the Knightmares. Suzaku kneeled next to me.

"Aya! I'm sorry! I tried to get you out of the way so you wouldn't get hurt and-"

"I'm fine." I said, putting a finger over his mouth. "My head just hurts a little."

It was more than just a little. My head hurt like hell. But I didn't want Suzaku feeling guilty. Blood trickled from my forehead down the middle of my face. I began to feel light-headed.

"I guess that was stupid." I said as Suzaku took out a handkerchief and began to wipe the blood away.

"I'll say. What exactly were you planning to do?" Suzaku asked. I shrugged.

"'Guess I didn't think ahead. You know how I always sucked at chess." I said. Suzaku laughed, but then grew a little sad.

"Oh…" I knew why. He was thinking about Lelouch. I looked away, afraid that I might cry.

"Lord Kururugi, are you injured?" two other soldiers cried, running towards us.

"I'm alright." Suzaku said. "But could you get a medical team down here? Miss Ayame hit her head and the blood is not stopping."

"Yes sir!" the soldiers said. One took the traitor away; the other went for the team.

"Honestly, Suzaku, I'm fine…" I complained. I stood up and began to walk towards the palace.

All of the sudden, I fell to my knees, struggling to breathe.

"Aya!" Suzaku cried. I clutched where I had been shot. It began to hurt terribly.

"Help…" I begged and then shivered. I tried hard to breathe, but my lungs closed up. Suzaku's hands held my shoulders.

I then collapsed and went unconscious.

Lelouch

"Yes, I suspected that would happen, so I have already sent Shinozaki Sayoko." Diethard reported.

"I see, well done, Diethard." I said. "You are superior after all. You stand out among people, a talented person with no peer."

"Thank you very much!" Diethard cried. "It is an honor! Shall we proceed in a manner you suggest for future arrangements?"

"Indeed." I answered. "Our tactical objective may have changed, but the strategic one has not. I'm counting on you."

I hung up and closed my phone.

"You haven't forgotten your promise, right?" Rolo reminded me again.

"Yeah. I will protect this academy, this place where you belong, and this place that houses our everyday lives. However, I will deny this deceptive rule of Britannia." I answered.

"I will help you because there is something I need to protect. If your cover is blown, then this academy would be gone, too."

"Ah, and V.V.-" I began. Rolo nodded.

"Yes, I would be killed as a traitor." He said.

"That time would be my end, as well."

"We share the same destiny, don't we…?"

Someone then came in through the door.

"Forgive me." Mrs. Villeta said as she came in. "Club activities went a bit long. What do you need from me, Zero?"

"Please, Ma'm. You'll blow my cover like that." I said pleasantly.

"Ah, what is it, Lelouch?" Mrs. Villeta said, correcting herself.

"Do you wish to meet Ohgi?" I asked. Mrs. Villeta gasped.

Suzaku

"Seems he likes you, Anya." I said as I walked towards Anya. Arthur purred as Anya petted him. Aya came with me, leaning on my shoulder. Although she was supposed to be resting after the attack she had, she somehow convinced me into letting her go outside. She was getting good at winning arguments lately.

"Japanese clothing?" Anya asked when she saw my clothes.

"Yeah. I always wear this during my training." I answered.

"You should see how tense he gets!" Aya teased me, poking my side with her finger. I rolled my eyes at her in response.

"Does it bring back memories of Japan?" Anya asked.

"Who knows…I had my good memories." I said, looking off into the distance. I helped Aya sit down.

"Lord Kururugi, there you are." A soldier suddenly said, coming towards us.

"What is it?" I asked.

"We need your signature for something." The soldier said. "It's an order for capital punishment on the Eleven that assaulted you. With the acknowledgement of a person with a rank of Rounds or higher, the order will be carried out."

I took the clipboard and took a look at it. It would be a tough decision…I knew that the Eleven's approach had been wrong, but nothing truly bad happened…

Aya bowed her head as she heard the soldier explain. She didn't like the sound of it at all.

"Umm…Lord Kururugi?" the soldier asked impatiently. Anya walked up and took the clipboard out of my hand.

"I'm a Rounds as well." She said, signing the sheet.

"Yes, that wouldn't be a problem then." The soldier said. "Excuse me."

The soldier left.

"Suzaku." Anya said. I looked at her. "Are you…a masochist?"

Aya glared at Anya.

"You enlisted in Area 11 knowing you would be hated. You are the hero of the Numbers. You are the man who betrayed Japan. You are Zero's enemy. This is the defendant's block. Jealousy and hatred will kill you." Anya explained, ignoring Aya.

"I don't care about wanting others to understand my actions. I don't need that anymore." I answered. "Someone understood me in the past. Besides, I have been a sinner from the very beginning."

"Hey, you three." Gino said at the steps. Aya stood up too fast, so she fell back on the seat.

"Damn it." She cursed.

"Hey, princesses aren't supposed to curse." I said, helping her up.

"The call we've been waiting for has finally arrived." Gino continued. He came and helped me help Aya.

"It's from Zero." Gino finished. I scoffed quietly. Aya glared.

"I take it when you said 'you three', he wants me as well, huh?" Aya said angrily.

"Actually, he wanted to relay a message to you during the call tonight, so, yes." Gino said.

"Umm, is it really okay for me to be here?" Cecile asked uncertainly in the room where the call was supposed to be. She was dressed in a revealing ball gown.

"You wanted to see Zero, no?" Lloyd teased.

"But…" Cecile began.

"Forgive us." I said. "Everyone else is busy with preparations for the Special Administrative Region."

"Indeed, this isn't something we can make public." Cecile answered.

"Even so, what of your clothing?" Ms. Romeyer said disapprovingly.

"Y-Yes! I'll be careful!" Cecile said nervously.

"Seems we're being connected." Lloyd interrupted.

"Three Knights of the Round members. And even the future princess is here!" Zero said, coming onto the screen. Aya glared at him.

"However, I do not see the presence of the governor." Zero continued.

"This is a talk between officials." I said. "And Future Princess Ayame is only here because we have decided to honor your small request."

"I've gotta ask…Are you the same person as the previous Zero? Or…" Lloyd asked. I panicked. Aya didn't need to know Lelouch was alive. I looked at her, but she seemed to have not heard the question.

"Zero's entity shouldn't be measured by his identity but rather by his actions." Zero answered.

"Aha, philosophical, eh?" Lloyd said, impressed.

"Have the Black Knights come to a consensus?" Gino asked. "Since you said that you'd participate in the Special Administrative Region of Japan…"

"I have prepared a movement of a million people." Zero said.

"One million?" Cecile gasped.

"You're telling the truth, right?" I asked.

"But, I have a condition." Zero said. "I want you to overlook me."

"Wh-"

"Although, I'm sure you have to prepare something for the public." Zero continued. "How about you say that Zero has been exiled from the country?"

"What about the Black Knights?" I asked.

"He's going to throw them away in order to protect his own life." Lloyd explained. "If they were to find out, you'd probably be lynched within your own organization."

Aya glared at Zero again. "The previous one would never have done that…" she said too quietly for anyone but me to hear.

"That is why I'm talking with you in private, so to not get killed." Zero said.

"I'd like to murder you myself." Aya muttered under her breath. I threw her a look, making her sigh and remain silent.

"Boring…" Anya said.

"Article 12, Item 8 of the Area law extensions. If we use that, then the governor will have the power to execute a sentence of exile on him." Ms. Romeyer explained.

"Ms. Romeyer!" I complained. "You want to let Zero go?"

"I merely provided the legal interpretation." Ms. Romeyer said calmly.

"What do you say?" Zero asked. "You may announce it at the ceremony. For your sake…"

"It's not a bad deal, indeed. If the leader escapes, then all the Eleven terrorists will disintegrate in midair." Gino said, putting his arm around my shoulder.

"But, a criminal…" I began.

"I guess we could do it…" Aya said. Everyone looked at her, shocked.

"If it means he can stop this act, then it's fine by me." She explained.

"Oh, and Future Princess Ayame." Zero said. Aya looked at the screen.

"I hope that wound of yours gets better. I heard about you having trouble breathing. I will be looking forward to seeing you at the ceremony." Zero said in a fake sounding kind voice. Aya scoffed at him.

After negotiating with officials, we decided that it was best if Zero was exiled from the country.