Yet We Will Have Cloven, Chapter Three
Kururugi Suzaku was happy.
He had plenty of reasons to be so; he had been exonerated, first by default of lack of evidence, and then by the timely intervention of an "interested party." Next, he had recovered his original position and even received an officer's promotion. He was to be the official pilot of the first seventh-generation Knightmare frame. His immediate superiors were kind (well, one of them), and he had made a favorable impression on the Sub-Viceroy, third princess of the Empire of Britannia.
Perhaps even better news was the survival of his best friend, and their renewed acquaintance. Although Suzaku was not sure precisely what Lelouch expected of him or what his plans were, Suzaku had faith in his friend. Lelouch was still bitter, of course, but like Suzaku, he had reason to be. The two of them had resolved to work together to make things better; he was not a member of the resistance, but he was Lelouch's ally.
The uncertainty did not worry him. Lelouch did not really worry him. Euphemia's expectations, Lloyd's crafty glances, none of that particularly had him worried. But his entry into Ashford Academy, a school of Britannians his own age, was well worthy of concern. He was sure that Euphemia's intentions were good, but he imagined that things would not be as rosy as she hoped.
When he entered the classroom at the professor's beckoning and was introduced to the class, he was not surprised to hear gasps and immediate whispers. Some people looked frightened, others angry. Suzaku tried to remain positive as he scanned the crowd.
And then he saw Lelouch. It took everything he had to conceal his reaction. As he walked toward his assigned seat, he was careful not to give anything away. Lelouch, for his part, did not even seem to recognize him. As Suzaku sat down, he supposed that it was for the best. He did not want to upset Lelouch's life here, or even worse inadvertently reveal his identity.
Suzaku was mostly silent through morning classes, although he did look up in shock when Kallen was called. He was sure it must be the same girl, but he had no idea why she was at Ashford. He resolved to ask Lelouch when he got the chance. Maybe he could drop his phone number to him surreptitiously or something.
While he was reflecting, lunch began. Suzaku tried to ignore the rising tide of gossip all around him. He saw Lelouch walk over to the red-haired girl's desk and say something, and the two of them headed for the door, presumably to get lunch outside. Then out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lelouch pause, turn his head slightly, and tug at his collar before leaving.
Meet in the attic.
It had been a very long time since he had seen that. Suzaku tried not to smile, and politely ignored the other students as he left the classroom, searching for the nearest stairwell.
When he opened the roof access door he felt the warm midday breeze. He smiled, seeing his friend leaning against the railing, waiting quietly with the girl. He walked up to them.
"It's been seven years since we used that signal." He began.
"It's good to see you, Suzaku." Lelouch said warmly. Then he nodded in acknowledgement. "I'm Lelouch Lamperouge," he turned to Kallen. "This is Kallen Stadtfeld; Kallen, meet Suzaku Kururugi."
Suzaku nodded in understanding. "Is, ah," he fumbled, uncertain.
Lelouch smiled. "Nunnally is here, Suzaku. Would you like to have dinner with us this evening?"
He sighed in relief. "I'd like that, Lelouch."
Kallen could no longer retain her curiosity, and her face dropped the hesitant expression Suzaku had seen on it throughout the school day. "Kururugi, how did you end up in Ashford anyway?"
Suzaku scratched the back of his head. "Well, I happened to run into someone who was interested in my welfare, and thought that I should at least finish school." He smiled sheepishly. "What about you, Kallen?"
She frowned. "I'm half-Britannian. My mother is Japanese."
"I'm sorry, Kallen, I didn't mean to say something hurtful," his sincere apology seemed to mollify her a bit.
"So long as you're on our side, I'll let you slide, Kururugi." She smiled slightly.
"Suzaku," Lelouch interrupted, a serious tone in his voice, "Give me your contact information. I haven't taken any steps yet, but when I do I will try to let you know."
Suzaku provided the number, then handed over his cell phone, and Lelouch entered his own contact under a false name. "If you cannot answer, I understand. Once i have something more elaborate in place, I'll tell you."
"All right, Lelouch." Suzaku replied quietly. "I trust you, all right?"
His friend grinned. "Of course. Don't worry, Suzaku."
Kallen watched the exchange with interest.
"What happened to that girl?"
Lelouch's mouth compressed into a line. "She's safe, with me."
"I'm glad she made it through. Why was she being held, anyway?"
"I don't really know what her story is," Lelouch commented ambiguously.
Suzaku accepted his explanation. "Well, I should probably get back. We don't need to be seen together, Kallen, Lelouch."
Lelouch looked a bit pained. "I suppose not. I promise, I'll think of something, Suzaku."
"It's all right," Suzaku reassured him. "I'm just glad you're OK. Call me once classes end, all right? Oh, and it was nice meeting you, Kallen!" He waved and walked off.
"I will," Lelouch replied.
Suzaku walked down the stairs to face the remainder of the day, heartened.
Euphemia sighed, and wondered how Suzaku's school day was going. She rather wished she was there with him. Cornelia had arrogated to herself and her advisers all political and military power in Area 11, leaving her title as Sub-Viceroy basically an empty formality. Euphemia loved her sister, but she was feeling more than a little hemmed in.
Cornelia's first action upon arriving was to chide her for her familiar form of address and her actions regarding the Pureblood faction. After that, Euphemia had watched as her older sister dismantled the existing governmental infrastructure, and proceeded to sortie on a daily basis against various terrorist organizations.
It had been all she could do to get Suzaku's charges honorably dismissed and his promotion in order. Now she was basically trapped in the government complex, trying to find something to do. Which was precisely why she had ordered her "assistant" (babysitter might be a more appropriate term) to guide her to her brother Clovis' gallery.
Suzaku's words had troubled her, but they had not shocked her. Cornelia had tried to shield her from an awareness of Britannian colonial policy, but it was all too obvious from Cornelia's own words, her schooling, and her recently increased access to sensitive information: a mass execution was not unheard of. It was difficult for her to imagine Clovis actually ordering such a thing, but it was disturbingly easy for her to imagine it carried out under his personal aegis.
Euphemia sighed. It was not normal for her to think ill of others, and least of all of her family. She turned her attention to the wall before her and caught sight of a painting of two children, a boy and a girl, seated on their mother's lap. Euphemia closed her eyes and pressed her lips together.
Lelouch and Nunnally. She had been so young when it had all happened. The Lady's Marianne's death, Nunnally's terrible crippling.
And Lelouch. He had always been so calm and clever, and that day he had thrown everything away in a rage. Then they had been forcibly moved to Japan, and afterward the invasion had begun.
Euphemia had never looked at her father the same way, after that.
"Are these all my brother's work?" She asked the attendant as she reached out to delicately touch the portrait before her.
"Yes, Princess. They are all His Majesty Clovis' work."
She thought of Suzaku's words, of the massacre of civilians in the Shinkuju ghetto. She regarded the gentle brush strokes and delicate color on the canvas. She thought of Cornelia, and of Lelouch and Nunnally.
"The palette is beautifully complex, is it not?" Euphemia asked softly.
"Welcome home, onii-sama." Nunnally's cheerful expression shifted as she cocked her head to the side. "Is there someone with you?"
Lelouch motioned Suzaku over quietly. The boy knelt softly and took Nunnally's hand. Her face showed confusion, then hope as she covered his hand with her own.
"Suzaku? Is it really you?"
"Yes, Nunnally. It's good to see you again." Lelouch looked on, pleased at Suzaku's kind smile and Nunnally trembling happiness.
"I'm so glad you're safe! We had always hoped you were all right, but onii-sama decided it would be too dangerous to search for you." Her voice expressed her regret.
"It's all right, Nunnally. I'm here now, and I'm even going to be attending Ashford with Lelouch."
"That's wonderful! Please come and visit whenever you like, Suzaku." She smiled happily, then spoke over her shoulder. "Sayoko, can Suzaku have dinner with us?"
The maid smiled softly. "Of course, Nunnally. I'll set out a place for him." She bowed lightly to Lelouch and Suzaku and made her way to the dining room.
Dinner was an entirely pleasant experience for Lelouch. Nunnally was overjoyed at seeing Suzaku again, and for his part he was just as happy to see her. Lelouch remained mostly quiet as the two of them spoke, smiling at their stories and remembrances . Suzaku carefully omitted Lelouch's role in his trial, but when Nunnally asked him about school, he spoke up.
"Actually, I was able to come to Ashford because I was lucky enough to meet Princess Euphemia, and she sponsored me." He glanced at Lelouch, who was looking over in surprise.
Nunnally was quiet for a moment. "She's still the same kind sister I remember, then? That makes me very happy." She was smiling, but Lelouch could tell she was troubled.
"Nunnally, I'm sorry. I wish we could see her, but it's just too dangerous."
"I didn't mean to upset you, Nunnally" Suzaku said, chagrined.
"Oh no, you've done nothing wrong." She smiled genuinely now. "I'm really very happy to know that she is still as I remember her. I understand that it would be too dangerous to reveal our identities, onii-sama. I do." She paused and bent her head down. "It is hard, but I know that it is for the best."
Lelouch did not reply, lost in his thoughts.
"Maybe that won't be true forever, Nunnally," Suzaku said hopefully. "A lot can happen, you know."
"Thank you, Suzaku. That does make me feel better. But you'll need to visit again to make sure!" She laughed.
Lelouch smiled gratefully at Suzaku, and they finished their meal.
After dinner and tea, Nunnally went off to get ready for bed. Lelouch promised that he and Suzaku would be by to tuck her in and say good night.
Suzaku looked a little nervous as they walked down the hallway to Lelouch's room. "I'm sorry if I said something wrong, Lelouch."
"No, I'm glad to know it, Suzaku. Really."
"Do you … hate them all?" He asked, honestly curious.
They paused in front of the door to his room. Lelouch replied without turning his head. "I could never hate Euphy."
At this Suzaku smiled. He quickly expressed his surprise when the door opened and he saw the girl from Shinjuku lying on Lelouch's bed eating a pizza. C.C. simply cocked an eyebrow at their entrance and turned her attention back to the pizza.
"Doesn't seem very clever to bring a Britannian soldier into the bedroom, Lelouch."
Lelouch sighed. "C.C., this is my friend Suzaku. Suzaku, this is C.C."
"C.C.?" He repeated uncertainly. "Is that her name?"
"Yes boy, you can call me C.C." She looked at him calmly.
"She's quite irritating," Lelouch commented as he loosened his collar.
"Why were they," Suzaku stopped and turned his address to the green-haired girl. "Why were they holding you?"
"I don't know, really," she replied calmly.
Suzaku frowned. "You don't?" He asked doubtfully.
"Don't even bother, Suzaku," Lelouch stated tiredly. "I assure you you'll get exactly nowhere. Anyway, for now she's staying with me in secret. If they capture her, I'm sure the same or worse will happen again."
His friend's expression darkened. "I understand. Lelouch, what exactly is it that you want me to do?"
Lelouch looked speculative. "I don't know yet, exactly. I'm waiting for things to come together."
"You know that Viceroy Cornelia is pretty busy already," he said warningly.
Lelouch folded his arms and regarded the chess board. "Yes, I know. But we need to see what she does before I know how to react. As it is now, I'm still trying to get organized." He turned to look at Suzaku. "It's hard to decide how to run a rebellion, after all."
Suzaku sighed. "All right, Lelouch. I'll make sure to keep everything as quiet as a I can, and if I find out anything, I'll tell you."
He nodded in response. "Good. Also, Kallen doesn't know who Nunnally and myself really are. She knows something of the story, but not the particulars."
"I thought so. I'll need to stay away from you two, Lelouch. We don't want your history getting out."
Lelouch bit his lip. "I'll try to think of some way to change that, Suzaku. You know Nunnally will want to see you."
"I know."
The waited in silence, C.C. apparently ignoring both of them.
"Well, let's have you say good night to Nunnally. I've got work to do." Lelouch guided him out the door, both of them thinking quietly.
Behind them, C.C.'s golden eyes watched, unnoticed.
Jeremiah Gottwald was not having the best month of his life. Prince Clovis' death had been a terrible blow, reminding him at once of another member of the royal household who had died under his watch. That frustration was part of what had driven him to accept Kewell Soresi's suggestion that the Pureblood faction punish Bartley's failure themselves.
Silence from the homeland seemed to validate their actions; as the Purebloods had taken over effective command of Area 11, Jeremiah had felt positive. Then they had discovered Kururugi's identity, and offered him as the assassin.
And Zero had ruined it all. He had no memory of the event, but the recordings were incontrovertible: he had made a deal with Zero and let Kururugi go. Kururugi's subsequent return and exoneration had destroyed what remained of his credibility, and then Kewell had nearly managed to kill him with that ambush in the ghetto.
To be rescued by Kururugi Suzaku was almost absurd, but to be rescued by Princess Euphemia was the final blow. He had suspected that Princess Cornelia would not have any pity, but he had hoped that the blame would fall on Kewell.
He had been wrong. The Princess's knight, Guilford, had just released him from captivity and announced his demotion. Jeremiah was delaying his return to his quarters; he wasn't sure how to handle Kewell, to say nothing of ViIletta.
One thing was clear. Whatever had happened, Zero was the one at fault, responsible for his humiliation. So long as he remained in the military, he might yet have a chance at revenge.
Nunnally guided her wheelchair carefully down the hallway, ignoring thoughts of homework in favor of worrying. She had just encountered Nina Einstein skipping class, itself somewhat exceptional from the studious girl. But it was her reason for skipping and tone of her voice which had made Nunnally so concerned.
"There's an eleven in our class."
The young girl had not known exactly how to respond. It was so difficult for her to imagine that sort of unreasoning hatred, particularly of someone like Suzaku who was always so gentle. Nunnally suspected that Nina was far from alone in her attitude, and she had experienced enough cruel dismissal in her short life to understand that others would undoubtedly be more combative.
She had no way to help Suzaku, although she suspected that Lelouch was attempting to find a way to do so. And Lelouch … well, she was almost as concerned about him as she was about Suzaku. He had been so distant recently, keeping odd hours and being generally evasive.
Nunnally also admitted to herself that she was a little jealous; he was acting very close to not one but two girls, C.C. and Kallen Stadtfeld. It wasn't that she wanted her brother to devote himself to her alone, but she wanted him to at least be honest with her. She had genuinely enjoyed C.C.'s unexpected visit, and was waiting for Kallen to say hello as well.
The more time went by, the more she wondered whether perhaps those girls weren't saying hello because of her, and that perhaps her brother was evasive because they did not want to consider a crippled girl as a future sister-in-law.
For as long as she could remember Lelouch had been by her side, and after the death of their mother he had been doubly so. She had grown out of her tantrums when she was alone; he had grown to respect her independence. That did not mean that girls who might be interested in him, though, would look kindly on her.
Nunnally bit her lip, and hoped desperately that she was not hindering her brother's happiness. What if she was? Would he tell her? Did anything she knew of him even hint that he would suggest such a thing to her?
She made her way down the hall, worrying but resolving not to ask him about it just yet.
It was important to trust, after all.
Lelouch fell back into his couch with a sigh. The school day had been a marginal disaster, and it was finally club activity time; this left Lelouch a little while to further his own preparations while the other students were occupied. He retrieved his partially redone case, intended for secure and discreet transportation of his Zero costume. He had finished the false imaging layer the evening previous, but was still working out the rest of the settings.
He got about three minutes of work done before the door opened and he smelled pizza.
"You just plan to leave that mask lying around in a suitcase?"
He did not look up as he carefully placed a layer of lead sheeting. "I assure you that I am more than capable of concealing such a simple item. You should worry about your own affairs."
"Hmmm," she sat down and began to eat idly. "We're in this together, I'm afraid. I cannot help but be concerned, Lelouch."
"Just let me handle this, and leave it alone. I will let you know when I need your help."
She rolled her eyes in reply.
The door slid open suddenly and Lelouch hastily moved to conceal the mask.
"Onii-sama, would you like some tea?" Lelouch let out a sigh of relief.
"Certainly, Nunnally," he replied and walked over to the doorway.
"Did you order pizza again?" She questioned.
"Well, I'm collecting points," he send a glare toward an unconcerned C.C. as he left the room. C.C. heard a small sound, and noticed that the case had fallen over. The bedroom door closed behind Lelouch.
C.C. went back to her pizza silently.
A few moments later, Lelouch was sitting down to tea with his sister.
"How are things going with Suzaku?" Nunnally asked, thinking of Nina.
Lelouch hesitated a moment before responding. "Not as well as I would like." He thought of Suzaku washing the hateful message scrawled on his shirt. "I'm afraid that it may take some time for him to be accepted, but I promise I'll do what I can to help."
She smiled softly. "I know, onii-sama. I'm just worried for him. Do you think that we-" Nunnally's comment was cut off midstream at Lelouch's horrified shriek.
"Aaaaaaah!" He cried in a panicked tone. There, not six feet away, was his mask attached to a small grey cat.
"Onii-sama, what's wrong?" Nunnally asked, sounding concerned.
"Wha-, ah, Nunnally, I have to go. I'll be back later! Sorry!" He ran out of the room after the cat without further ceremony.
"Eh?" Nunnally wondered aloud at the absent room.
Lelouch ran out of the front of the building, seeing the cat begin to outpace him heading for the main campus. "Damn it! No!"
"What are you so upset about, Lelouch?" Milly asked suspiciously as she walked up to the building with Rivalz in tow.
"Nothing, nothing!" He replied in a panicked tone. "I have something to do. I'll see you both later!" He ran off to after the cat.
The two of them watched in surprise as Lelouch, who in their experience never ran anywhere and to whom panic was unknown, tore off toward the campus. "This requires further investigation!" Milly cried happily as she pulled Rivalz into the residence. "Let's find Nunnally!"
Inside, C.C. watched Lelouch run. "Ah, well, it is his problem after all."
Kallen was walking back from the library, intending to make her way to a possible Student Council meeting before heading home for the day. She was also considering a visit to Lelouch, but she was not quite sure whether doing so would draw any undue curiosity. That Shirley girl had been giving her a great deal of silent attention, and she did not want a confrontation.
Suddenly her phone rang. "Kallen!" She heard Lelouch's panicked voice on the other end of the line. "Kallen, I need your help!"
"Lelouch?" She replied nervously. It was so unlike him to sound that way. "Are you all right? What do you need?"
"Damn! My …" He lowered his voice a bit, panting. "My mask! Zero's mask! Some damned cat ran off with it and I need you to-"
His voice was overwhelmed by a sudden loud announcement over the PA system. "Everyone, there is a small grey cat running around campus right now!" Milly's voice sounded at once smug and conspiratorial. "The one who catches it will net priority funding from the Student Council for their club in the next budget, and!" She paused dramatically. "You get to kiss a member of the Student Council! Go! Find that cat!"
Kallen's mouth fell open in horror. "Kallen, Kallen!" She heard Lelouch's shout through the phone.
"Did you hear that," she asked numbly.
"Yes! Now hurry and find it! Call me if you spot it!"
"Yes," she said, coming out of her shock. "All right!" She hung up and turned around, only to see no less than sixteen boys staring at her. "What is this?"
"We can kiss whoever we want, right?"
"That means her, right?"
"And it can be any kind of kiss, right?"
"Can we tell her where to kiss us?"
Kallen screamed in frustration before stalking off, muttering furiously "stupid Britannians, stupid Britannians!"
And what in the world was Lelouch doing misplacing Zero's mask, anyway?
"You idiot!"
Kallen made her way through the walkways, dodging students and running when unobserved. Damn this sickly girl persona!
She rounded a corner and ran headlong into Shirley, knocking them both to the ground.
"Ah, it's you!" Shirley said pointing at her.
"Shirley, what are you wearing?" Kallen asked, staring at her.
Shirley blushed. "My swimsuit! I didn't have time to change - we need to find that cat!"
Kallen stood and handed her uniform jacket over. "Yes! Let's go!" She ran off with Shirley, wondering what exactly she was supposed to do with Zero's mask if she found it with Shirley.
Fortunately, they had only been looking for about four minutes together when they caught sight of the cat. After a brief chase Kallen was confident that they had cornered it under a stairwell. "Shirley, stand back and make sure it doesn't escape if I miss it," she ordered.
"Wa, wait!" Shirley reached out and grabbed her arm. "Kallen, if you catch it, are you going to kiss Lelouch?"
"What, what are you talking about?" Kallen blushed.
"You're always hanging around with him! You eat lunch together!" Shirley drew closer to her. "Are you dating? Have you already kissed him?" She gasped at her own theory. "I bet you have, and that's why you're going to catch the cat! So he won't kiss anyone else!" She was blushing a deep red.
Kallen stared in embarrassed amazement. "No! No, that's not right at all!"
"Kallen! Tell me the truth!"
Unobserved, the cat made its way around the corner of the stairs as Kallen tried in vain to dissuade Shirley.
Lelouch was gasping for air. He had had to geass no less than four people so far, and he was still not in possession of the mask. I refuse to be exposed in such a stupid way! He thought furiously.
Running up to another open stairwell, he saw a familiar face. Glancing quickly to see that no one was around, he called out. "Suzaku!"
"Lelouch!" The other boy waved in response and jogged over. "What's this about a cat?"
Milly's most recent announcement had featured Nunnally's meowing, which Lelouch imagined was not helping his cause. He grabbed Suzaku by the shoulder and regarded him seriously. "It stole Zero's mask."
"Huh?" Suzaku replied blankly. "Wait, really?" He looked around. "Are you serious Lelouch?"
"Yes I'm serious!" Lelouch replied, trying to hide the note of hysteria in his voice. "We have to find it!"
Just then, he noticed a familiar black cat run by toward the stairs, with a group of students not more than thirty seconds behind it. "Suzaku! Stairs! Now!"
They ran off just ahead of the crowd. Lelouch's lack of stamina left him staggering up the last two flights - when he got to the top Suzaku was already clambering out a window onto the roof in pursuit of the thief. He paused a moment, grateful to have Suzaku getting it for him.
Then he paused. He saw a large crowd gathering below, recognized his sister among them. Of course.
Lelouch crawled out the window and saw that Suzaku was already in the belfry with the cat and the mask. Perfect! He let out a small shout of surprise to get Suzaku's attention, and proceeded to slide down toward the edge, falling forward in a not-entirely-intentional manner. Below, the crowd gasped.
Suzaku turned and slid to his rescue, grabbing his hand before Lelouch fell off the roof. He drew his friend safely back up and said under the noise of the applause, "Lucky you, the mask fell off up there in the belfry."
"Perfect! Let's get down there with the cat then."
They made their way down together. Suzaku noted that the crowd fell to muttering when he walked out carrying the cat, who had wasted no time in sinking its claws into his arm. Lelouch controlled his expression and waited a moment before putting a hand on his friend's shoulder and offering the other. "Thanks, Suzaku Kururugi. You saved my life."
Suzaku smiled in response. Milly walked forward. "Wonderful performance, the two of you! Thanks for saving my VP, Suzaku!"
"Milly, Suzaku has yet to join a club. Might it be all right to have him join the Student Council?"
Milly's eyes twinkled as she replied, "How can I refuse my Vice-President?"
Nunnally guided herself forward and took both the boys' hands as Rivalz took possession of the cat. "Congratulations, Suzaku. Thank you for saving my brother. Now both of you lean over."
They complied, and she kissed them quickly. "You'll have to settle for a kiss from a junior council member!"
Laughter peppered the crowd before a lone cheer started everyone going. Kallen looked on, bemused, as Lelouch gave her a conspiratorial wink. She couldn't help but smile in response. A few meters away, Shirley watched the exchange with an unreadable expression.
The rest of the afternoon was spent introducing Suzaku to the Student Council members and the club room. Milly's disappointment at having nothing with which to blackmail Lelouch faded with a new person to harass, and Nina faded into the background as best she could, not speaking to Suzaku.
Kallen recalled Lelouch's panicked phone call, and was quietly amazed that he had been able to turn the situation to Suzaku's advantage. As the afternoon progressed, she wondered what to do about Shirley, whose continual attention was getting to be unnerving.
Lelouch hid his mask, made sure C.C. stayed put, and spent the afternoon relaxing. Nunnally was happy and everything had gone better than he had expected.
All he had to do now was figure out how to defeat Britannia, and things would really be sewn up.
AN: Another chapter done, although a bit shorter than I had planned. I had initially wanted to cover the incident at the Saitama ghetto, but this ended up being entirely too much fun to write. I know it seems a bit light-hearted, but we've hardly even begun Lelouch has yet to make a second appearance as Zero.
Ragez - No, she's just exercising her authority. I'm pretty sure Suzaku'd have a stroke if he was knighted then!
Mr. Eclipse - Thanks! Kallen's trust has yet to be put through the wringer, so I hope you enjoy her reactions!
karndragon - I am as well! Writing each character's thoughts on the events is most of my enjoyment in this fanfic.
Kyogre - No need to apologize for writing a review! I really appreciate all the consideration you've shown in your comments. I hope you'll like these next chapters, which are going to get into the more dangerous side of things now that the characters are more or less ready to get hit with some trauma. Suzaku is always a controversial case - I respect your opinion on this one! Definitely watch the first season again if you get the time, though. It is interesting to see how many things are so very different at the beginning. Oh, also, I enjoy writing Kallen and Lelouch at school. They'll have hell to go through shortly, so it's nice to have some time in relative peace.
nxkris - Thank you! I hope you'll enjoy the rest of the story!
SrgntDrew - Glad you're enjoying it!
snakeboy33 - I think that Euphy and Nunnally have very interesting parts to play in Code Geass, and I am happy to have them in some different circumstances here. Look forward to it!
nanoman79 - Thanks! I'm always worried that I'm shortchanging one or another, which will only get more difficult as more characters are introduced. That's part of the reason that these early chapters are longer than I expected, in fact. Although I have not gotten to Saitama (next time!) I can assure you that I'm working on it now. I hope you'll like it!
Thanks for reading!
-wedgegeck