A/N : I don't own Code Geass. I do own a cat named Arthur. Seriously.

'v'

'v'

The following evening; Tokyo, Ashford Academy

'v'

Rivalz Cardemonde sighed as he looked through the student council room's windows. He sighed not because of what could be seen, but because of what no longer could be: night had long since fallen over Ashford Academy yet Rivalz couldn't call it a day and head home. He was the student council President now (the first consequence of which had been a good bit of teasing from Millay) and was becoming painfully aware of just how much work was required to keep student activities running now that neither Millay nor Lelouch were around to do the heavy lifting.

Lelouch…

The last words of his late friend to Rivalz had been spoken on the phone right after a half of Tokyo had been vaporized by the first FLEIJA warhead. Rivalz had been surprised to hear Lelouch's most prominent worry at the time was that he wouldn't be able to keep his promise to come and light fireworks with everyone on Ashford Academy's half-disintegrated roof. And when he had actually come back to the Academy two months later it had been as the 99th Emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire. Lelouch had completely ignored Rivalz hailing him, and for good reason: he'd come back to Ashford Academy to issue a declaration of war to the whole world – nothing less! The worst part being that Lelouch had actually won that war, making himself the sole ruler of the world and the most hated man in the entire history of mankind in the process.

And then he'd been murdered.

Months after the event Rivalz still didn't know how he should remember his classmate. Should it have been as a great friend or as the monster he had become? Which of them was the real Lelouch? Instinct would have said the monster was, only Rivalz had made a nasty discovery at the time of his late friend's death which raised some highly significant questions, the first of which was just how Lelouch's father, Charles zi Britannia, had somehow erased Rivalz' and his friends' memories of Lelouch's sister Nunnally and made them all believe Lelouch actually had a brother named Rolo. Rivalz and Millay had spent quite a bit of time trying to find out what had been done to them, but even with Nina's help their efforts had been completely fruitless. The young genius had been abducted on the same day Lelouch revealed his intention to conquer the world, as Rivalz remembered all too well, and it turned out she had been made to work for Lelouch himself – alongside with, of all people, the same Lloyd Asplund to whom Millay had once been engaged. It had of course happened because of Nina's knowledge of the FLEIJA warhead, her terrifying brainchild. The specifics of Lelouch's demands were a secret Nina was keeping for herself, though. About the only thing she would consent to say about her time working for Lelouch was that she had not been working on any designs which had the potential to kill. Both Rivalz and Millay had tried to pick their friends' brains about Lelouch's intentions, and neither had succeeded. It was, however, another hint that the 'Demon Emperor' didn't quite fit the role of the inhumane tyrant he'd been at the pinnacle of his rule, and when you added that to Nunnally's obvious distress when she'd lost the brother she'd since disavowed in the firmest manner the picture started to become quite murky.

Rivalz had also tried to get Gino and Kallen involved in his "quest for the real Lelouch", especially since both enjoyed a much higher station than he or Millay did. Neither had proven particularly helpful. Gino didn't seem to know too much about Lelouch anyway, all he was able to conjure were a few stories from Lelouch's childhood as a Prince of Britannia. Kallen on the other hand seemed to know quite a bit about the real Lelouch. The problem with Kallen was that she definitely wasn't going to talk: she systematically clamped her lips shut whenever the subject of the "Demon Emperor" came up and she was listening. Those who tried to get the strawberry-head involved in these talks in spite of her clear reluctance only managed to make her ignore them ('Rivalz-san?'). It was almost as though she was afraid to say what was actually on her mind about Lelouch.

'Oy, Rivalz!'

Talk about the devil: Rivalz hadn't noticed Kallen standing right opposite the main desk, hands on her hips and an annoyed look on her face. Millay was standing close to her, and between the two of them was-

'Nunna-chan!' Rivalz jumped to his feet, knocking his chair back in the process.

'Took you long enough!' Kallen fumed (though it was evidently an act on her part).

'Please don't break any furniture on her Majesty's account' a filtered voice made – Rivalz gaped when he saw Zero himself at the door, standing right next to Gino. It wasn't the first time Zero had shown up at the student council room: over a year earlier, at the height of the Black Rebellion, the leader of the Order of Black Knights himself had come to Ashford Academy and set up his headquarters there. Kallen had been by his side, Rivalz remembered, and she had vouched for his and his friends' protection, though some of Zero's soldiers obviously didn't think a group of Britannian teenagers deserved the favor. It made Zero's presence there feel pretty awkward, something the leader of the Black Knights seemed to realize:

'I'll leave you in your friends' company, your Majesty' the masked man said, leaving the room, and Rivalz remembered Nunnally was now the Empress of the Britannian Empire – he turned beetroot-red as he realized he'd called her "Nunna-chan" moments before; the sight of his discomfiture elicited a snort of laughter from both Gino and Millay. 'Something wrong?' Millay teased Rivalz.

'Erm…'

'It's alright, Rivalz' Nunnally said kindly. 'We're all friends so we don't need to be formal with each other.'

Rivalz grinned sheepishly.

'Besides if you don't drop the formalities I'll call you Mister President' Nunnally added, causing more chuckles.

'You looked so cute when we came in' Millay teased. 'Something on your mind?'

'Now, now, Millay, let the man keep his secrets' Gino said, and he grinned as there was more laughter at their friend's expense – laughter which was cut off by a resounding 'Ouch!' coming from behind the door. It was Zero's voice. 'Oi, let go!' he said.

Kallen rushed to the door and opened – and gaped. 'Arthur?'

The same cat Suzaku had first brought to the student council was back, and he'd buried his teeth and two sets of claws in Zero's leg.

'Zero-squadron captain, could I have some help?' the masked man asked with evident discomfort.

Kallen was bumped aside by Millay. 'Oh, look who's here!' she exclaimed herself, and she bent to retrieve the vindictive cat. The feline looked bedraggled, as though it'd been through miserable days; it let himself be picked up by Millay, but his gaze remained fixed on Zero, just like Kallen's eyes were fixed on him.

'What's going on?' Nunnally's voice came from the Student Council room.

'We have a surprise guest!' a delighted Millay replied, taking the cat back inside the student council room. 'Rivalz, where did you put Arthur's stuff? Tell me you didn't throw everything away'

'Gino took care of that part' the boy replied.

'Oi, it's in Suzaku's old room' the Knight of Rounds said, 'want me to go and fetch it?'

'Fitting' Millay approved with a smile, 'but you'll be needing a hand to carry it all.

'Carry it all?' an evidently worried Gino said.

'Well he needs his bowls, his cushions, his toys, his cat tree, his...' Millay laughed at the horrified look her friend was giving him. She chortled. 'Yeah, I still remember how to order people around.'

Gino winced. 'I was afraid you might' he said. Nunnally chuckled.

'Don't worry.' Millay grinned. 'I know the very person to help you. Kallen!' she called, and then she noticed neither she nor Zero were there any longer. 'Kallen? Where did you go?'

'Maybe something's come up and she is with Zero' Nunnally said.

'Now of all times?' a disbelieving Gino said.

'She'll be back' Rivalz said confidently, and then with mock vindictiveness: 'She owes me!'

The group of friends laughed.

'Did you see him attack Zero?' Millay said with a proud voice as she scratched a purring Arthur.

'Yeah, it reminded me of how he behaved with Suzaku' Rivalz said, grinning.

'Did he?' Nunnally said, looking surprised.

Gino chuckled. 'Of course, he'd have told you everything was just fine even when four set of claws skewered his leg.'

'Zero wasn't as proud as Suzaku' Millay noted.

Nunnally smiled. 'Imagine being the most famous and most admired person in the world and having to follow a whimsical girl-'

'A whimsical Empress' Millay corrected, grinning.

'- and ending up in what looks like just another school to get yourself attacked by the local mascot' Nunnally continued. 'Sure puts fighting an enemy who controls the whole world in perspective.'

'I guess it would.' Gino chuckled. 'He seemed to fare much better against- hey!'

A panicked Arthur was flying straight at the blonde boy, paws first (probably because he'd just been thrown by Millay).

'Ouch!' The cat caught itself on Gino's chest and clawed his way to the relative safety of the Knight of Rounds' shoulder.

'You're supposed to be doing something!' Millay barked, making Gino (and poor Arthur) jump.

'Yes, your Highness' Gino replied with a mock bow.

'I'm coming with you' Millay added, 'there's no mountain two Ashfords can't move.'

Rivalz blinked. 'D'you need a hand?' he asked, sounding as unconcerned as he could manage.

'Why don't we all go?' Nunnally suggested.

'Who's going to keep Arthur company?' Millay asked.

'Arthur can sit on my lap' Nunnally said simply.

'He's going to ruin your dress' Gino observed.

'I'm glad to see him too' Nunnally said with a tart voice. 'Arthur, come here' she added, much more sweetly.

The cat jumped and landed on the young girl's lap where he settled down and lay purring contentedly.

'Now there's only one problem left to solve' Nunnally said.

'What problem?' Rivalz asked.

'Who is going to push my wheelchair?'

'v'

Meanwhile, far removed from this happy scene, Kallen and Zero had made their way to the clubhouse's roof.

'I can't believe you had the nerve to return' the strawberry-head was saying, more than a little aggravated.

'Kallen, please.'

'I should kill you' she fumed.

'Please get a grip on yourself' Zero hissed, 'you're going to get us in a world of trouble.'

'Just what were you thinking, coming back here of all places?'

'Nunnally wanted me with her' the masked man said defensively. 'I wouldn't have come had I known Arthur was there too.'

'You'd better hope nobody else understood the significance of that incident' Kallen growled. 'You do realize there must be people watching you, with you being such an important personality.'

'There are people watching Nunnally' Zero countered. 'I don't need to worry about them, Schneizel's in charge of those watchers'.

'Schneizel?' Now Kallen was shocked.

'He serves me' Zero said as an explanation.

'What do you mean by "he serves you?" ' Kallen asked, incensed. 'Just what game do you think you're playing?'

'A game planned by a very good player' Zero said, 'one just as good as Schneizel is. I'm merely following the plans he laid for me.'

Kallen stared at Zero for a moment. Then she turned to lean on the railings. 'Well that player didn't account for your cat' Kallen fumed.

'Only you realized what happened' Zero remarked. 'Nunnally seems to suspect something, but as far as I can tell she doesn't know for sure.'

'You don't think the others might have realized what Arthur's behavior means?' Kallen countered.

'Judging by how the scene played I don't think they did' the masked man said. 'Nunnally's certain to distract them; and if any of our friends have doubts, they'll tell her and I'll know. At any rate I can make sure they're keeping their suspicions for themselves.'

'With what, Geass?' Kallen said scornfully.

'Not Geass' Zero said. 'These days no living person should have that kind of power' he added. 'Lelouch's hunt of Geass users was pretty thorough.'

'What about C.C.?' Kallen inquired.

'I don't know where she is' Zero admitted. 'And it's besides the point.'

'Yeah, what matters is to make sure nobody spills the beans on you' Kallen said, her voice full of spite.

'You have no idea how important that is' Zero replied, and for the first time he sounded dangerous. 'My identity absolutely can't be exposed, and I'll do anything it takes to prevent it from happening.'

'I know how important it is, but I thought you'd feel more concerned at the idea of manipulating your friends' Kallen spat.

'I've paid a huge price to learn results are the only thing which truly matters' Zero replied with a level voice.

'You'd really set Schneizel on Millay and Rivalz if you thought you had to?'

'Without hesitation' Zero confirmed.

There was a moment of silence.

When Kallen spoke again, her voice was full of loathing. 'You know what?' she said. 'It doesn't surprise me you would. You've betrayed your father, your country, your friends… Such a trifle as stabbing schoolmates in the back won't bother you.'

'Don't think I like this' the masked man protested.

'You're placing your goals before the lives of your friends' Kallen countered. 'Even the real Zero knew better than to do that.'

'Zero betrayed you and the whole Order of Black Knights at the Specially Administrated Zone' the masked man reminded Kallen.

'No, he salvaged what he could from a complete disaster. I was the one who betrayed him at Kaminejima' the strawberry-head countered. 'And I've regretted it ever since.'

Kallen walked away without a look back at Zero.

The masked man really didn't have a choice, though. He couldn't afford to leave any possibility of his being identified to chance. Fortunately, Schneizel would know whether he needed to take measures at all… and whether it would soon be necessary for him to add yet another friend to the list of people he'd betrayed…

'v'

'v'

A/N : I didn't expect to be able to post again this early, proving I don't have Bismarck's Geass ;)

To those who take the time to read through and/or subscribe, your opinions would be most welcome :)