A/N: There's... Really so much I want to say, but I can't seem to find the words... So... I'm not dead. I'm very much alive. I just... Took a hiatus. A break. A breather, because... Well... Because I needed it. I'm sorry for disappearing like that, and for being inexcusably horrible with updates... But I disappeared for a while to mentally prepare for some things, and the entire time, I was just writing. I hope it's improved my writing somewhat, even if it's a tiny bit. So... Thank you for being patient with me. And I hope you like it.

"M-master?"

"C2, come here."

"Yes, Master!"

The emerald-haired woman hurried to him and he ordered unabashedly, "Sit down."

"S-sit down? Where shall I sit down?" flustered, her nervous darted around the man robed in violet who was seated at his desk. She had been looking through a richly illustrated atlas, wondrously mesmerized by the monstrosity of the world and by the exotic names of the different nations, all of which were of various sizes and shapes, but each as beautiful as the next. For some time, the other sole occupant of the room had been watching her from his seat, trying to fight the urge to try to shake her out of this… Fake persona. Exasperated and frustrated with himself and reality, he finally caved in and beckoned for her.

Lelouch patted his lap and an innocent blush dusted her cheeks as she vehemently shook her head while stammering, aghast at the idea of being so physically intimate with her owner, "I-I couldn't! I couldn't-"

"It's alright," he sighed, "Just sit here."

"… Y-yes, Master."

She sat down cautiously in his lap. Lelouch grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back so that she was leaning on him and closed his eyes while all tension in his body melted away; this was how C2 always sat. In his lap. Now that her memories had been erased or locked away somewhere, he was made painfully aware of just how much he had grown accustomed to the witch's strange habits to the point where it seemed queer for her not to do things like this. It made him realize how much he needed her. How much he missed her. How much her memory loss devastated him.

"Master?" her timid, mono-worded question forced him back to reality from the fathomless oblivion he often found himself in as he reminisced back at the times when C2 had been by his side. The real C2. At the times when he had all he needed. When he had all he wanted.

"What is it?" he hurriedly tried to disguise who weary and grief-stricken he was, but did a considerably poor job of it. He simply wasn't used to lying to the witch, for she had always known and had always understood and had always accepted him.

"I would just like to… To thank you for all of the clothes. And the warm food and bed. And the lovely doll you gave me, and the books, and everything! And for being… For being so kind," her voice faltered slightly and she winced as she remembered the cruelty of her previous masters, "For being so… Kind. Thank you."

"Do you really like it all? Is there nothing that you want more? New clothes? More food? A nightly excursion to the ocean?"

The raven-haired man's hold on the immortal's waist tightened slightly as he thought of the secret trips he and C2 would take from time to time, as she grew bored by the boundaries of Horai Island. They would go to a park on the mainland, perhaps the zoo with the assistance of his Geass, but oftentimes… Oftentimes, they would simply go to the beach, where the waves crashed onto the shore at a calming and constant, steady pace. Sitting on the sand underneath the sky, the witch and the warlock wouldn't say anything and merely sat in companionable silence. And when the sun rose over the horizon in a glorious mess of innocent hues, she would turn to him, the light catching her bright golden irises, and wordlessly smile at him, and he knew that everything would be okay, that everything would be alright, and that there was nothing for him to be worried about.

"Oh no! You've been so altruistic to give me all of these things, there's nothing more that I could possibly want or ask for. I'm so grateful! Thank you, Master."

Lelouch didn't say anything until some time had passed, in which he quietly murmured, "For you… I would pick the moon and the stars. For you've given me the world…"

Her eyes widened and she was about to stutter a reply, when the screen behind them lit up suddenly, presenting Ohgi's nervous face. The Japanese resistance fighter said, "Zero, there's something I'd like to speak to you about."

After donning his masks, Zero unlocked the doors with a press of a button. C2 was about to leap off his lap to go hide, when he held onto her wrist gently while instructing her, "No. Remain as you are."

So, she stayed.

Ohgi was startled to see C2 sitting docilely in his leader's lap but said nothing of it, and merely went on complete his business.

"Zero, we were wondering if you'd like to come to a party we're throwing."

"A party?"

"For the anniversary of the Black Knights' debut. It's not anything big, but we'd really like it if you came. After all, you are the founder and CEO, and we wouldn't be anywhere near where we are now without you."

"I see."

"And… C2 can come too, if she wants. Even Tamaki agreed."

"A party? Master, what is a party?" questioned she. Ohgi, at hearing the usually strong-willed and independent C2 call Zero "master" in a meek voice, was completely caught off-guard. He flushed, completely misunderstanding the reason why she had addressed him the way she had. He stuttered, "O-oh sorry. Was I interrupting something, Zero?"

"No. Why-"

"I-I'll just go then. The party is tonight at 7. Sorry C2! Sorry, Zero!" and promptly tore out of the room.

The emerald-haired woman blinked and then repeated, "What is a party?"

Lelouch removed his mask and replied after deliberating for some time, "It's something you go to, to have fun with other people."

"Oh…"

"Would you like to go, C2?" he inquired not unkindly.

"May I?" he could see a glimmer of excitement and hope appear in her eyes as a hint of a smile played hide and seek with her lips.

"Of course."

She beamed at him and said, "Thank you, Master!"

Lelouch returned her smile, his a little more jaded, a little more worn-down, a little more wearier than hers; it wasn't his witch, but all the same… It was nice to see her smile again.

The Black Knights were all standing in perfect straight rows, creating a pathway. Bowing simultaneously, their greeting echoed throughout the cavernous room, "Welcome, Zero!"*

Lelouch could see that C2 was frightened by the alarmingly bold greeting and offered her an arm, which she gratefully took. Dressed in their respective Black Knights uniforms, the pair walked down past the Knights and to the small room waiting at the end, apparently meant for them. Inside was a low table with a long, flat pillow meant for sitting on. Besides the pillow were two elegant and lacquered wooden armrests.

Sitting on the soft pillow, two men stepped forward and reached up to the top of the doorway. As they carefully let down a bamboo-and-silk sheet, Ohgi stepped forward and said, "Zero, this is a sudare, a traditional Japanese curtain. It allows for you to see through it partially, but we can only see your silhouette, so your identity will remain safe. We hope that you can also enjoy food and drink with the rest of us with the help of the sudare."

"I understand. Thank you, Ohgi."

And thus, celebration began.

Lelouch removed his masks and turned to the tense woman besides him.

"C2, would you like to eat? It seems they've prepared pizza for you."

"Pizza!' she gasped. The taste and feel of warm melting cheese and velvety tomato sauce on toasted bread was one that she fell in love with over and over, and just the mere thought of the dish made her giddy with childish excitement. Biting her lower lip, she looked to her master for permission, silently praying that he would allow her to reunite with the exquisite cuisine.

"Enjoy the pizza, C2," he said softly while tucking her hair behind her ear tenderly. The immortal blushed, and Lelouch absentmindedly allowed his mind to wander on how endearing she was. Realizing where his train of thought was heading, he violently pushed aside the notion and poured himself a glass of water, reprimanding himself for his ridiculous and brazen ideas.

How could he dare think something like that of his accomplice?

"Master?"

"Yes, C2?"

"May I lay down? I'm sleepy…" she rubbed her eyes as if in emphasis, and he smiled, somewhat bewitched and amused by how someone with such wisdom and maturity seem so… Precious and vulnerable, like a baby bird trembling in its nest as it opened its eyes to the world for the first time.

"Of course."

She lay her head on his knee and closed her eyes. Lelouch smoothed her hair and wondered when the real C2 would return. Would she even come back in the first place? True, she wasn't bad as her old self, but he missed the one that he knew, the cynical, strong-willed C2. Carefully removing his cape so as not to disturb her, Lelouch laid it over her as he watched over her, his every fiber yearning for the company of the ethereal witch, and not the piteous slave girl.

Suddenly, with volume that grated on his nerves, Tamaki lurched in front of the sudare while slurring, "H-hey, Zero!" Stumbling, he fell on his face, only to pop back up with a smile only a fool could fashion.

"Tamaki," the raven-haired man warned in a low tone. Already halfway to being completely stoned, the resistance member clumsily lowered his voice and repeated, "Hey Zero!"

"What is it?" he sighed.

"My buddy, my man! You should make a toast!"

"Yeah! A toast!" Men and women cheered and began to chant, "toast", consequentially waking C2 up. Blinking away the sleep from her eyes, she murmured, "Master?"

"I'm sorry, C2."

"It's okay. I'm sorry for using your knee as a pillow. You must have been uncomfortable."

He shook his head, saying that he hadn't been. Tightening his cloak around her, he rose and picked up his wineglass, to begin a toast as requested so zealously by his Knights.

"C2."

"Yes Master?"

"Would you like some cake?"

"Cake?"

He slid a plate with a slice of chocolate cake to her. She gazed at it with admiration and remarked, "How beautiful."

"It's very sweet. I think you'll like it."

"May I?"

He nodded, earning another uncustomarily bright smile. Handing her a small fork, she delicately broke a tidbit off. Eating it carefully, her expression became animated almost immediately as she said, "It's delicious! Master, you must try it!"

He chuckled and replied, "I'm alright. You can have it all."

"I insist. It would make me happy if I could share it with you, after all of the kindness you've shown me. Please?"

She held out a small forkful for him and he asked, "Should I?"

C2 nodded enthusiastically and he smiled.

"Alright. I will."

Accepting the forkful of cake, Lelouch ate it, when Tamaki cheered before whining drunkenly, "I want to be fed by a beautiful woman! No fair, Zero, keeping C2 all to yourself! Sharing is caring, man!"

She tensed up and the exiled prince gently promised her, "Don't worry. I won't let him do anything to you."

Trusting in his words, her shoulders relaxed as her expression of relief turned to him. She reached up and wiped the chocolate icing from his lips with her finger. Lelouch, surprised, could only stare. The emerald-haired woman took note of the increased attention towards herself and color flushed her alabaster cheeks.

"D-did I do something wrong?" Her hands balled up anxiously in her lap and he carefully uncurled them while answering, "… No. It's nothing."

Relief flooded her eyes again, only to be replaced with innocent happiness. Wiping the icing off of her finger, she held out another forkful of cake.

"Here you go, Master."

Remembering what Tamaki had said about being fed by a beautiful woman, Lelouch flushed slightly and hesitantly accepted. C2 smiled and quickly devoured the remaining slices (he was yet again astounded by her capacity for sweet confections) after he had politely declined, claiming that he had had enough of the dessert and that she could have the rest herself.

Outside, the Black Knights were rowdy. Drinking, cheering, joking; it was certainly a party of epic proportions. It amused him to be here, watching over them, his followers, as they celebrated their success. His success. Japan's success. He remembered something President had told him; that festivities were an absolute must in times of devastation and war, and he could now hear the truth ringing in her words. As he studied them all, fascinated by their different activities and interactions, he barely caught a timid, "Master?"

"Yes?"

"Are you having fun?"

"Fun? Hmm… I suppose I am."

"I'm glad. You seemed very tired and upset lately."

"Was I really?"

"Yes. So I was worried."

"Thank you for worrying, C2. It was kind of you to be concerned."

"Not at all! After all, I lo…"

"Lo?"

"N-nothing! It's nothing!" embarrassed, she turned away. Amused, Lelouch smiled and then said, "There's no need to be shy. What is it?"

"I… Um…. Master?"

"Yes?" the teenage boy picked up a grape and chewed on it while watching Tamaki dance drunkenly in the middle of a large circle, who only encouraged him with laughter and clapping. He reached for another grape, when he heard, "I love you!"

The Britannian promptly dropped the grape and froze.

"I love you, Master!"

He turned his attention back to the furiously blushing C2.

Finally finding his voice, he asked in a somewhat strangled tone, "… What?"

"I love you!" she repeated, nearly in tears by this point. She hugged him with so much force, they fell onto the ground, with her on top of him.

"C2, what-"

"I love you," She buried her face into his chest, in which Lelouch realized how fast his heart was racing from the sudden confession and embrace.

"Do you love me?"

"W-what?" He was completely unprepared for this in every way possible. Unaccustomed to being backhanded out of nowhere, he scrabbled for an intelligible thought, a coherent plan of action, but came up with nothing.

"Master, it's okay if you don't. I'll love you anyways. Because you're kind and handsome and smart and you take good care of me. But more because you're you."

"I…"

"Master, I don't know how I would live without you!"

Before he could say or do anything, she gave him a quick kiss before standing up and running away to hide in the corner of the room, her back to him. Lelouch sat up, completely floored by what had just happened.

Then it dawned on him. He licked his lips again, and sure enough, he could taste it. Alcohol.

'It must've been in the cake.'

Everything clicked into place as he thought back on the numerous slices that C2 had eaten. Now that he was able to understand everything about the situation, he stood up and walked towards the emerald-haired woman. Sitting down behind her, he tapped her on the shoulder.

She glanced behind her before burying her head in her arms, muffling her apology.

"I'm sorry. I must have angered you, especially for kissing you. I'm sorry, Master. Please don't punish me too har-"

"I love you too, Cecaniah."

Her eyes widened and she turned back to look at him. Lelouch was smiling kindly at her as he repeated, "I love you too."

She smiled tearily as she hugged him. Lelouch returned the embrace and kissed her forehead. Although C2 would probably bury this within the depths of her veiled mind to preserve face, he didn't mind. He didn't mind that only he would remember this confession, and that the witch would adamantly refuse to admit the existence of such a moment. Because he knew now, without her having to say it, that she loved him, and she knew without him having to say it, that he loved her.

*: I don't know why, but I just decided to go all yakuza with the Black Knights…

A/N: Yes. Um... This is the precursor. If you already know from reading it on my profile, there's this thing called (overdramatically, might I say) "The Trinity of Rebirth". There have been some changes to "The Trinity of Rebirth". It may just turn into... The One-ity of Rebirth. Who knows? But yes. This is the precursor to that event, as it was supposedly a week before that deadline (I started out late Tuesday, so technically, that was the intention). I would really like some feedback... Like, really, really, really could use some feedback... And please don't be so mean. Recently, there was this one review with The Crazy Coup, and I started crying, and it made me really depressed. And then my friend told me to ignore that. And now I'm just ranting, but anyways... Let's take our first step together in a new era.

Thank you very much,

Primadonna MBC