Chapter 5
"Lelouch, I still don't see why we have to go to the E.U. just to see if Zero is involved with this resistance group," C.C. nagged in an attempt to stop him from going to Europe. "If Zero is involved, news about it should crop up eventually-"
"I have no doubt that Zero is involved," Lelouch replied, cutting off C.C. entirely.
"Then what's the point in going?" C.C. complained. "And besides, how do you expect to get there? You really think that you can just walk into an airport and say, 'Hi, I'm the dead Emperor of Britannia and I'd like two tickets to-"
At this point, Lelouch had gotten fed up with C.C.'s arguing. He delivered a backhand to the side of her cheek, causing her to fall. She caught herself with her hands on the way down, and pushed herself back up. "You don't have to be so brutal, you know."
"Let's hear that plan of yours," Lelouch said, completely ignoring her previous statement.
"Well," C.C. sighed. "It's a little risky, but it's our easiest option right now."
"Go on."
"You wouldn't happen to still have one of your old Zero outfits, would you?"
"Never thought I'd have to put one of these on again," Lelouch said to himself.
"This sure brings back memories," C.C. joked.
"What's the next step?" Lelouch said, once again ignoring the girl's sarcasm.
"I'll tell you, but you might not like it."
"Just spit it out."
"Well," C.C. dragged the word out and started nervously twiddling her thumbs. "We may or may not have to kidnap Nunnally."
Lelouch froze and stood completely still, attempting to process what C.C. had said. "You can't be serious."
"Of course I'm serious."
Lelouch grabbed C.C. by her shirt collar and lifted her up so that she was at eye level with him. "You want me to kidnap my own sister just to gain entry into the E.U.?"
"Well, you seemed so dead set on getting there before. I assumed that you would mind the means."
"Normally I wouldn't have!" Lelouch said. "But to go this far-"
"She won't even know she's being kidnapped. Zero is her protector, and she'll think you're the new Zero. She'll have no idea!"
"But won't she get suspicious if Zero randomly tells her that she has to go to the European Union for some unforeseen reason?"
"To be honest," C.C. admitted, "I didn't really think that far. But if you don't like it, we don't have to go at all. You said yourself that you knew Zero was-"
"I do know Zero is there. But that doesn't mean it's the real Zero. And regardless of whether it's Suzaku or not, I can't let anyone ruin Zero's reputation."
"Right, because you didn't ruin it yourself by killing four members of the Royal Family."
"But Zero redeemed himself in the end. I won't allow him to become a symbol of fear again. That time has passed."
"Then I'd love to hear if you have a better plan." C.C. smugly replied. For once, Lelouch felt utterly powerless. This was a feeling he hadn't felt since before he received his Geass and before he started the Black Rebellion.
Lelouch was silent for almost a full minute. C.C. decided not to say anything in hopes that he had a change of heart. Finally, Lelouch stood up. "And if we run into Suzaku?" he mumbled.
"That shouldn't be an issue. According to the newspaper we read in the coffee shop, Nunnally reported Zero to have gone off on some secret mission and he still hasn't returned."
"Did she mention when he left?"
"About two days ago, it said."
"Then everything should go as planned." Lelouch was shaking. C.C. almost felt bad for proposing a plan like this, and she almost wished that he still had his Geass so he could make himself forget.