'Ello again loves! Chapter Eleven (haha) has arrived!! :D Thank yous go to the lovley brunettebookworm14 and cecaniah for reviewing and favoriting! I appreciate it so much!! :D Love my next chapter now. -Geass activates- LELOUCH ORDERS YOU TO! Okay...weird moment over...I'm okay now...hey, it's 1:00 in the morning. I'm really random and wierd when I'm sleepy. . Lol. I give you Chapter Eleven...

"May she rest in peace," the priest concluded and Isabella could only watch as her fellow students began to place dirt over Shirley's casket.

"No, don't bury her! She can't be--" Isabella felt herself start forward but Rivalz and Milly held her back.

"Isabella, calm yourself," Milly whispered comfortingly and Isabella felt weak.

"She can't--she can't--she can't--!"

Isabella began to cry quietly again as she forced herself to watch Shirley's casket be consumed with dirt. Suzaku stepped forward and laid white lillies over the grave and then walked back over to her. She couldn't talk...she could barely see through the wall of tears in her eyes as the students began to depart and go back to their usual lives, casting Isabella sympathetic looks.

Stop looking at me like that...none of you knew Shirley...why are you acting like you really care because you don't!

Suzaku smoothed back a strand of her black hair behind her ear and Rivalz and Milly let go of her.

"Isabella," was all Suzaku could say and pulled her into his arms, Milly's hand on her back and Rivalz's hand on her head.

"Where's Lelouch...? He left so early..." Isabella asked, trying to calm herself but it didn't work. Suzaku tightened his arms around her, his head resting on hers and her hair touching his lips.

"I can't be sure," Suzaku replied and Isabella felt the barrier that held back her crying break. She sobbed so hard she shook, feeling as if she was in the middle of a nightmare, feeling alone and exposed. Shirley had always been the one that gave her a sense of always being protected and Isabella felt as if her world had ended. Her best friend was dead...the one that she had vowed to protect...the one that next to Lelouch, was the kindest to her and always made her feel happy...she was gone now...taken by the Britannians...just like so many others.

"Come on Isabella, let's get you back to your dorm," Milly said and Isabella reluctanty pulled away from Suzaku's comforting embrace.

Isabella walked back to her dorm, Milly beside her and opened the door to the dorm to see Nina packing a suitcase.

"Hey, Nina girl, where are you going?" Isabella asked, and Milly looked just as confused.

"I got a call a while ago from a man named Lloyd, he's a friend of Suzaku's and a genius scientist. He came up with the Lancelot and he wanted me to join his department," Nina was beaming and Isabella's stomach lurched.

"That's great Nina..." Milly said and Isabella nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, you'll be great there," she said, a sad smile spreading across her face.

"Isabella, I don't want to seem like I'm being insensitive or leaving you alone--"

"It's okay Nina, I understand. This is your dream, isn't it?" Isabella asked.

"Yeah, you've been working for this like there's no tomorrow," Milly chimed in but Nina kept her eyes on Isabella.

"I'll still see you Isabella, just not as often--I mean--I don't want you to be lonely because of--"

"Nina, it's okay. I'll be fine," Isabella assured her and Milly took the silent hint from Nina to leave.

"Isabella, there's something I wanted to finish telling you too," the genius said and Isabella's head tilted, listening intently. "Remember when I started telling you that some girls are really shallow and fake?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I wanted to tell you that, I hate women that have no backbone and no depth. A lot of the girls here are like that, shallow, fake, cowardly but when I see you...you're one of the few that have the strength most of us lack. You have been through more than anyone could imagine...loss of friends and parents...being a slave to people you hate more than anything on the planet...when I found out you went through all that and then noticed you don't dwell on it...I was amazed. To the point, I wish more girls were like you...had that spirit of never giving up and always pursuing your dreams," Nina said and rubbed the back of her neck. "Not to mention, you inspired me to take the call from Lloyd. I really admire you, Isabella."

Isabella felt her heart pound against her ribs as Nina embraced her. The black braids thumped against Isabella's face briefly and Isabella returned the friendly hug, almost wishing Nina wouldn't leave too.

"Go knock 'em dead, Nina girl," Isabella chocked out, and Nina let go. She picked up her two, full suitcases and gave Isabella a thankful smile.

"Thank you, for everything Isabella. I'll see you again, alright?"

"Right, I'll manage here. And thank you for being here for me, Nina," Isabella said and Nina bowed as best she could.

She left, leaving Isabella feeling very alone and the Black Knight closed the door once she heard Nina's footsteps die down the hallway.

"Go impress the world...Nina..." Isabella tried to hold back tears as she sank down to the floor, kneeling against the door.

Isabella felt sobs tearing in her chest and she let them erupt out of her, tears immediatly drenching her shirt sleeves. The memories of her, Shirley and Nina flooded through her mind and she longed for the red head to burst through the door, proclaiming she wasn't really dead, it was all just a nightmare. Isabella just wanted to curl up on the floor and convince herself it was all a nightmare and she was going to wake up safe in her dorm, Shirley sleeping peacefully in the bed next to Isabella's.

"Why Shirley...why innocent Shirley...?! Why her?!" Isabella sobbed quietly, her tears burning her face.

She didn't know how long she was crying, but the next thing she knew, Isabella was jerked awake by the door bumping into her stomach, startling her.

"Shirley?!"

"Isabella-onee," Rolo peeked through the crack in the door and Isabella stood shakily to her feet.

"Sorry Rolo, I guess I fell asleep...next to the door of all places," she said and let her little brother into the dorm.

"I wanted to check on you," Rolo said and Isabella sat on her bed, her black jeans creasing as she pulled her knees up to her chest.

There was a long silence and then Rolo walked up in front of her and bent down slightly to meet Isabella's aching eyes.

"I'm sorry, Isabella-onee."

"It's not your fault. You couldn't prevent it," Isabella told him softly and Rolo bit his lip.

"I tried to prevent it...if that makes you feel better. I don't want to seem like I'm trying to promote myself as a hero but--"

"Rolo," Isabella cut him off and his violet eyes looked hurt, "come here, Rolo."

Isabella stretched her arms out and Rolo crawled onto her bed to snuggle up with her. His head nestled against her chest, and Isabella patted him.

"If you were trying to prevent Shirley's death, that puts you there with her. I know I was on the phone with you...her technically...but I'm so glad you didn't get killed as well," Isabella said gratefully and hugged him.

"What if I died in Shirley's place? Would you have been happier?"

"No! Don't you dare think that way!" Isabella exclaimed and Rolo felt his spirits rise. "I love you Rolo, you're my little brother."

Rolo felt his heart swell and he hugged Isabella back.

She said she loves me...I guess this is what it's like to have a family...this safe, accepting feeling...and I thought Isabella would never be able to bring herself to like me...let alone say she loves me and I'm her brother.

Later that Night...

Ruled out as a suicide...Isabella pushed herself through the sheets of ice cold rain as she ran through the woods on the edge of campus...suicide...Shirley is being dishonored with something such as suicide...that's an insult to her memory!

"ISABELLA!" Milly's voice echoed off the trees and Isabella looked back.

I'm not going back yet...

"ISABELLA!" Rivalz called but Isabella continued on.

No...I won't return to the lies...I won't return to the lies!

"Isabella," a soft voice whispered into her ear and Isabella stumbled over a fallen log.

I won't go back to the lies!

"Sweetheart, stop running."

Mom...don't make me go back!

"Listen to me, Isabella."

Those Britannians took everything...you...dad...Shirley...Michael...I can't do this!

"Isabella, think of Lelouch. He's looking for you right now. What about all your other friends? Sweetheart, listen to me. Please go back to Ashford where you're safe."

Shirley isn't there...I can't go back to that empty dorm...I'm so scared...

"It'll be okay, Isabella. Father and I are watching over you. Shirley is too and she doesn't want you to be upset over her. She wants you to go back to Lelouch where you're safe."

Isabella tripped and fell to the muddy ground, her knee scraping and bleeding a little.

I'm scared...I'm scared I won't be able to protect Lelouch or find Nunnally...I'm scared...

"Don't give up."

Her mother's voice was becoming distant and Isabella felt her tears soak her face and she hugged herself, the rain drenching her.

Mom...don't leave...don't leave me!

"Your father and I are so proud of you. We love you so much, Isabella. It'll be okay, we're always with you. Shirley is too. Don't give up hope, Isabella. Always know there is hope. Don't give up...don't...give up..."

Wait...Mom...stop...Mom! Don't leave me! Don't go! Don't go! Don't leave me alone!

"I love you, my angel..."

Mom!

There was an explosion and Isabella shot up in her bed, panting heavily, drenched in cold sweat.

Just another dream...it was just a dream...

Isabella covered her face with her hands and took deep breaths. She opened her eyes only to see an empty dorm except for her own belongings and a desk with Nina's old computer. It had just passed midnight and Isabella pushed back her bangs with her sweaty palms, tears still shining down her face. She hated being alone in the dorm now...it seemed too big with just her. Shirley's ghost seemed to still cling there and Isabella shuddered, suddenly freezing cold and turned her light on.

"I need you back, Shirley," Isabella prayed and thought she felt someone's cool, invisible hand press onto hers.

Isabella didn't feel tired at all as she walked back over to the computer and switched it on. Nina's former desktop of a periodic table glared back at Isabella and she went onto the Interenet to change the background. Isabella searched through files and kept all of Nina's old findings, then stopped at one labeled "Friends". She clicked on it and the first picture that came up was one where it was Nina, Shirley and Isabella all outside in jeans and cute tanks tops, Isabella between her two friends, leaning against Shirley, whose smile was so wide her mouth was open and Nina had her arm around Isabella's shoulders, smiling at her.

"That was taken just last week...it feels like an eternity ago we were all together smiling like this."

Isabella set the picture as the background and then made sure all the rest of the files were saved. Isabella felt her eye lids begin to get heavy again and she logged off then switched the light back off. The room seemed unnaturally dark and ominious without her friends but Isabella tried to brush off the lonely feelings creeping back into her stomach and heart. She crawled back into bed and lied down, the faint pitter patter of the rain against her window pane lulling her back to sleep.

Two Weeks Later...

"What I want to know is how you managed to get back, Zero," Isabella sighed as she sat down next to her hero on the dark green couch, "you disappear out of the blue then appear out of the blue. What gives?"

"Are you not happy I returned?"

"N-no! That's not what I meant!"

"Then be quiet," Tamaki snapped and Zero turned his masked face to him.

"Do you want to be kicked off this ship?"

Tamaki stared at the terrorist leader and Isabella could feel him smirk.

"I thought so."

"Zero, there's something else Isabella found out before you came back," C.C. promted and Isabella remembered how she planned on telling him about her brother.

"What is it?" Zero asked and Tamaki smirked.

"She's madly in love with you," he said under his breath and Kallen slapped the back of his head so hard the noise bounced off the walls.

"Shut up you immature idiot!" she snapped and Zero rested his two elbows on the back of the couch before sighing.

"He's a moron. Pay no attention to him," Zero said and Isabella swallowed back a laugh.

"Anyway," C.C. glared at Tamaki, irritated and then turned her gold eyes to Isabella, "you were saying, Isabella?"

"Yeah, Michael's alive," Isabella told everyone in the room and Kallen's jaw dropped.

"Seriously?! How did you find out?!" she asked and Isabella smiled a little.

"When I possessed the solider that shot Suzaku, I managed to get the information from him," Isabella informed and Kallen looked impressed on every level possible.

"Wow..."

"Yeah. I'm so happy he's alive because if I see him and figure out what he's planning to do, then maybe we'll be able to live together again. We could get a house by the ocean like he was always saying he wanted to do and I could go to a near by school--I'd still be fighting of course but Michael would be here too. I can't wait to see him again and tell him everything! He'd be so excited to meet you Zero and--"

"Your brother is on Britannia's side. He's a traitor," he declared and stood abruptly.

"What--Zero--?"

"Don't get your hopes up about moving out of the Academy and moving in with him because it won't happen," Zero snapped and then disappeared into another room.

Isabella realized she was on her feet and staring after Zero, totally lost.

"What's with him?"

Kallen was just as confused as Isabella was and C.C. departed into the next room with Zero.

"He's attatched to you," Tamaki told her slowly and softly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Isabella asked, not knowing what he had meant by that statment.

"What I mean is he likes you. He doesn't want you to leave."

"I wouldn't, I'd still be fighting and I would see him...possibly..."

"Exactly, and don't think talking on the phone is the same thing as seeing him," Tamaki snapped and Kallen's blue eyes narrowed.

"What do you know about love?" she demanded and Tamaki shrugged.

"Not much, but enough to know Zero's got it bad for Isabella," he said and Isabella felt her face grow hotter than the sun.

"Maybe I should go talk to him..." she said and Kallen sat down.

"Yeah, if he likes you then go comfort him," she urged and Isabella turned to her.

"Hey Kallen, do you have a roommate?"

"No, why?"

"My other room mate moved out, got a really neat job and I hate being in my dorm alone at night. It creeps me out."

"Alright, I'll move in."

Tamaki hung his head.

"Only a girl can make a mood go from really serious to totally random."

Outside the ship...

"You know, you almost blew it," C.C. scolded monotonically and Lelouch held his head in his hands.

"I couldn't help it...she loves her brother so much and is thrilled he's alive but doesn't know he's actually trying to kill her. It's no mask he's wearing. Michael is trying to kill her."

C.C. walked over to him and kneeled down before him, her hands on his head.

"It's going to be fine. Isabella is a strong girl and I'm sure she is somewhat expecting the reality," the immortal consoled and Lelouch sighed.

"I'm trying to shield her from what I can...I made that promise to her mother before she died and said I would protect Isabella, but I honestly think I've put her in more danger than anyone else on the planet."

"Lelouch, Isabella is in danger anyway, in the war or not. No matter what, the fact her brother is plotting something won't change. To be honest, Isabella is safer in the war next to you so you can keep an eye on her. It seems like a paradox at first but when you think about it, she is safer when she's around you."

"Seeing her get shot isn't very reassuring."

"Even so, if she were alone right now and not apart of the war, she could be hurting herself because of all that has happened to her. Had she watched her best friend die without knowinbg what was going on, that grief could have driven her to suicide," C.C. pointed out and Lelouch shuddered.

"If she ever did such a thing, I don't know what I'd do."

There was a pause between them and C.C. stood up.

"I'm going to give you a few minutes alone and make sure the other three didn't tear up the ship," she said and started to walk away.

"C.C.," Lelouch called and the witch turned. Lelouch paused and then smiled, "thank you."

C.C. looked surprised then returned the smile and departed. Lelouch pushed his cape off and took off his shirt, taking a white towel in his hands and setting it over his face before sitting back down. The cool night air felt like Heaven against his heated skin and he thought of Shirley, wondering what she was doing in the after life.

"I hope you two will fall in love..."

"Well, Shirley, if you really meant that, you have half of your wish. I've been in love with Isabella. I'm not one hundred percent positive if she's returning the affections though; she seems pretty affectionate towards Suzaku..."

Lelouch felt his heart skip a beat at the thought of Isabella and Suzaku together but he forced himself to partcially accept it anyway.

"If she does love him, then I won't interfear."

"Zero?"

Speak of the Devil...

"What is it Isabella?" Lelouch asked, his voice muffled from the towel.

Isabella felt her body go numb as she stared at him, his face hidden by the white towel, but he was shirtless. His abs were young looking and toned, and the rest of his body, by the looks of it, he looked as old if not a year or two younger than she was.

He just seems so human now...I guess I forget whenever I'm around him...

"I just wanted to check on you, I guess," Isabella said and started back to the ship but Zero called her back.

"Isabella, come here," he said and Isabella walked back.

"Yes?"

"Why are you fighting in the war?" Zero asked and stood up, his bare back to her but the towel off his face.

Isabella stared at his moon soaked back and then pondered her answer.

"You'll think it's girlish."

"No, I won't, I promise you."

Isabella hesitated and then took a deep breath, hoping she wouldn't sound stupid.

"I'm in love," she started, already scolding herself but it was the best she could do. "I'm fighting for the one I love."

"Who is he?"

"You're getting very personal. Besides, you probably don't know him."

Zero didn't say anything but his head was turned as a gesture that he was listening still. Isabella bit her lip before saying anything else and then gave in.

"Lelouch Lamperouge," she said finally and Lelouch's heart almost stopped, "I know it sounds so girlish and maybe immature, but I know he's the reason I'm fighting. Any time I'm in battle, the only person I think of is him. We've been friends since we were born and I can't exactly pin point when I fell in love with him. I just woke up one day and I was, or at least I realized it. He's the reason I live in the first place...when I was taken captive all those years ago, the memories I had with him were the very possessions I had that kept me going. Sure, I thought of suicide but that was because I thought he was dead too but there was a possibility I held onto that he was alive and we would see each other again. I can't put into words how much he means to me, but, I love him more than anyone else on this planet. He's the reason I live."

Lelouch curled his hands into a fist and his eyes brimmed tears.

She's fighting for me...I'm her reason for living...me...

"I'm sorry if this seems so lovey dovey and sappy, but you asked. I rid myself of any responsibility if you're sick later," Isabella said to him after a long silence and Lelouch shook his head, which was hidden by shadows.

"No, it's not that. I haven't heard someone say something like that about m--anyone. Kallen is fighitng for her brother and the others for the sake of Japan...but you're different..."

"How so?" Isabella asked, still several feet away from him.

"You're driven by love and passion rather than rage and the want for revenge."

"Zero, not to sound rude, but that isn't true."

"But what's the reason you hate Britannia? Are you fighting because you want them to pay for the pain they caused you or m--er--Lelouch?"

Crap...I really can't tell her...but why?!

"I see what you mean, Zero. I'm also fighting for everyone else I've lost in my life because of this war...my best friend Shirley for an example...my parents...and my other friend Scotty...but even so, Lelouch is my sole reason for living now. If something ever happens to him I--" Isabella stopped herself and remembered Tamaki's words about Zero's liking her.

Oh great...I probably earned myself a good ass kicking if I broke Zero's heart...oh boy...

"Zero, can I ask you something?"

"Yes."

Isabella swallowed to wet her dry throat and then continued.

"Are you...do you like me? Tamaki said--"

"What makes you listen to Tamaki all of the sudden?"

"Well...what he said was serious and--"

"He was right."

Isabella stepped backwards, her black hair swaying and her eyes shocked.

"And I spilled my guts out about...I'm sorry...I wasn't thinking. Forgive me, Zero, for being so thoughtless." Isabella bowed, feeling ashamed and embarrassed about her carelessness.

"Wait, Isabella--!" Lelouch turned but she was jogging back to the Knightmare and he was left alone in the shadows.

Next chapter won't be so slow...XD I'll update soon! 2 reviews please! :D