Sorry for the long update... ARRRGH I HATE EXAMS
and i have another one after this weeks' hols...
oh well. enjoy!

Wanderer: Chapter 2

Resemblance of Normalcy

"Two pepperoni pizzas! With extra cheese!" called the brown-haired waiter from the door, who was of course C.C.

I know that my cooking skills are decent, but to volunteer me as a waiter just to get some more Cheese-kun merchandise... Lelouch continued fuming for a large part of the day. Besides, how can she indulge herself like this when Mao is still a threat?

How does C.C. even work?

A question that Lelouch still hadn't found the answer to.

Why not observe her for one day? She's always been the one watching at me in the past.

And so began the analysis of C.C.

Observation 1: She keeps her cap low, just above her fringe
Deduction: Hiding from Mao? or remnant from her slave girl days?

Observation 2: Often steals pepperoni off the pizza or from the ingredients store
Deduction: Plain obvious.

Observation 3: Back straight, (considerable) chest out, tray of pizza held high when serving
Deduction: Pride? Her current flashy self? Or just sniffing at the pizza before serving it?

Observation 4: Face permanently kept emotionless except when enjoying pizza
Deduction: Thought? Numbing herself to her past? Cutting everyone off? Or just past the point of emotion?

Observation 5: Loves to poke-

"How long are you going to stand there staring at me? Get back to making my pizzas!" came from the object of his attention. Lelouch snapped out of his reverie and carried on serving his de facto master, all the while thinking about what he had seen, and what he was going to do one this was all over.

"AHHHHH" shouted Lelouch, finally free from the longest bout of cooking he had ever done in his life, and with some more cash in his pocket; not that he needed any of it since he still had several bank accounts' worth of money. Resigned to his fate for the rest of the day, he asked:"So where are you going to drag me to for the rest of the day?"

Naturally C.C. had her cheeky ideas when it came to free time with Lelouch. Still, not like he would accept any of them, hence she used her considerable "persuasion" skills and her willfulness to "convince" him to come. "Oh nowhere in particular, just this giant exhibition that's being held nearby." she quipped with a wink.

"And what is this exhibition about, may I ask?"

"You'll know when you get there!"

Naturally C.C., being C.C. who loved to rush ahead at her own pace with no regard for others when her personal interests were at stake, left Lelouch scrambling in the dirt trying to follow her. I wonder what could pique her interest so much. Then again, isn't this how she normally carries herself? Lelouch thought with a sigh.

It was, of course, a huge pizza-making exhibition, featuring the greatest pizza bakers from across the U.F.N., and all C.C. wanted to do was to get a slice, un-athletic Lelouch in tow or not. Lelouch, of course, hated the whole thing as a gigantic waste of time, but had no choice but to follow if he wanted to keep her as an ally. Before long, C.C. started to run off on her own.

"There's a pizza bake-off over there! come on!"

Damn her! She knows my physical condition and yet she has to run off on her own! Still, all Lelouch could do was run, and run he did; all 10 meters of it. Plunging headfirst into the crowd, C.C. soon disappeared without a trace and without a care, leaving Lelouch dazed and breathless. 10 minutes later, Lelouch recovered enough to follow.

"And the record goes to Ayase-san with a 20 yard pizza!"

...

No screams of people being shoved. No shouts at mysterious green-haired intruders to get off the pizza.

No missing pizza.

Crap.

Lelouch ran out of the convention hall. Sure enough, a dazed security guard was lying on the carpet. Lelouch quickly shook him awake.

"Did you see a long green-haired girl being taken out of here?" He lost his patience and took off his contacts. "DID YOU?"

"Yes I did. She was being dragged by five men. In that direction." The guard pointed vaguely at the back of the hall-and was left there to wonder what had just happened to him. Meanwhile, Lelouch spent the time it took for his weakened legs to take him there plotting how best to disarm and subdue five possibly heavily armed men with nothing except a disctrated hostage and a pair of eyes with the ability to command anyone. No, I should assume that they are prepared against most forms of Geass, seeing as they know of the importance of C.C.; who else would kidnap a young innocent-looking girl that looks like she's from the lower depths of society with that Pizza-Hut uniform on? Lelouch turned around the corner-

Oh crap.

Mao stood there, hand over C.C.'s forehead. Strangely enough, C.C. was making no attempt to free herself. Around the pair, four armed men stood guard. One of them immediately noticed a long and lanky teenager staring at them. With bright red eyes.

"Boss, there's someone over there with a Geass."

With no time to react before Mao would undoubtedly order his death, Lelouch simply ordered the guards to shoot themselves in the chin. Blood splattered everywhere.

"You sure love your gore. Why can't you just leave C.C. and I alone?" Mao complained loudly, obviously indignant that his "alone time" with C.C. was interrupted. "Just go away and play with your little countries! Wait. How are you even alive?"

"Firstly, C.C. is my witch. No one is allowed to place their hands on her without my permission. Like what you are doing right now. Secondly, why should i answer you? Finally, please release her before I snap my fingers."

"And what's going to happen if you snap your fingers? You're not exactly all-powerful here, seeing as you're not emperor anymore and your Geass won't work on anyone here!"

I guessed as much. He has Charles' code. How? Shouldn't it be locked up in C's world? How on earth is Mao even alive anyway?

"This will happen."Lelouch snapped his fingers.

The sound carried itself throughout the back lot.

"ARRRRRRRRRHG" cried Mao, jeering. "OHHHH. AAAAH. Hey wait, why am I screaming? Nothing's happening! What are you gonna do now?"

Lelouch didn't need to do anything.

Suddenly, people started to appear out of nowhere and started grabbing at Mao. Every single person who took part was, at some time, Geassed by Lelouch as an all-round emergency plan where the last person who spoke within 5 meters of him would be dragged to the city's outskirts. To his credit, Mao did his best to fight them off, but when your dominant hand is occupied there is'nt much you can do to stop an incoming horde. He was quickly dragged off, leaving C.C. standing, or rather falling.

"Are you alright, witch?" Lelouch quickly ran over to catch her.

"I'm alright master. Sorry to cause worry for you."

Wait what?

Damn.

C.C. had lost her memories. Again.

"It's alright, you caused no damage. Do you remember what happened just now? Or before?"

Damn you Mao. How did you manage to manipulate her Code?

"My last memory is of a pink-haired girl, master. After that I do not remember anything, right up to when that white-haired man was being dragged away."

I need to get to Jeremiah. He's the only former member of the Directorate left who can help me.

Hang in there C.C., I'm coming to get you back.

DAMNIT WHY WAS THIS CHAPTER SOOO MUCH WRITER'S BLOCK
once again, sorry for taking so long, I was distracted by exams and school and forgot about this orz
Hopefully I can take advantage of this week's holiday and finish off Lelouch's return to Japan :)