A Code Geass fanfic. I own nothing.
A sequel to The Funeral.

~ Truth or Lies

Questions...

"This is Milly Ashford, bringing to you live from Tokyo International Airport. The plane carrying empress Nunnaly and her party of officials from the Britannian government and staff are scheduled to arrive in a few minutes. Though it have not been comfirmed, it is pretty certain that Zero, former leader of the Black Knights and now guardian of Empress Nunnaly, will accompany her to Japan."

"It was, as most of you know, Zero who attacked and killed emperor Lelouch of Britannia 11 months ago from today. He then surprised most when he announced that he would leave the Black Knights and become the protector of Nunnaly, the new empress of Britannia, a land he had once sworn to destroy. Since he left Japan with Empress Nunnaly, Zero has not been in the country and have so avoided to answer to the question many of his former followers asks: why did you leave us for her? There is no doubt, that Zero has proven his worth as a guardian. Two months ago he jumped in front of bullet meant for the young empress. Though it did not cause any severer damage, the event shocked the world. The attempted assassination of empress Nunnaly was the first terror attack since the death of the demon emperor. " She paused, looking at a member of her crew standing behind the cameraman, swinging wildly with his arms and pointing.

"I'm reciving word, that the empresses plane are about to land. We will now change camera to the arriving terminal, where prime minister Kamene Ohgi are waiting to greet the ruler of Britannia. We will return to you in a few minutes with updates."

And the camera was off. Milly turned around, watching the plane coming into view and preparing to land in Tokyo (no longer called the Settlement).
She had stayed in Japan. She had lived most of her life here, and she cared deeply for the country. She had never had a problem with the japanese people, and she had become a favored example of good integration.

The runway of the Tokyo Airport was empty. No planes were allowed to enter the Tokyo airspace until the Britannian Party had arrived safely. The assassination attempt had really scared everybody. The prime minister had ordered Knightmares to stand guard on the runway, just in case. Even the Sheng Hu was here, with Xing Li Ke.

The plane landed without any problems. Milly watched as prime minister Ohgi stepped forward as the door to the plane opened. Empress Nunnaly appeared in the door, in her wheelchair. It took another split second before the cameras went off. They all waited for him.

And sure enough, behind Nunnaly, pushing her wheelchair, was Zero. Masked and in his trademark clothes. He gently brought the wheelchair down, and pushed the young empress towards the waiting prime minister of Japan.

"It has now been comfirmed, that Zero are accompanying Empress Nunnaly. It is safe to assume that he will guard her through the entire visit which therefore will bring him face to face with his old comrades of the Black Knights, such as prime minister Ohgi and Kaguya Sumeragi, the chairman of the UFN who also are in Tokyo during the official visit as a representative of the UFN. I am sure it will be a reunion to remember."

And I will be there. I have some important questions to you Zero, and I will not take a no for an answer.

Ohgi stepped forward, smiling as he offered Nunnaly his hand in greeting. He liked the young empress. She was wise and gentle, two important values in a ruler. He managed not to look too much at Zero. He hadn't been near the man since the funeral almost one and a half year ago. He had promised himself not to question Zero at the funeral, out of respect. But then Zero had surprised them all by leaving with Nunnaly. This visit was his first chance to ask the question he had been wanting to ask for months now.

And I want to know who you are.

He signed. All of the former core members of the Black Knights would attend the private meeting in his house, along with a few others such as his wife. He hadn't informed the empress about this and he hoped she wouldn't take it the wrong way. It was just, they needed to know. Now. They couldn't continue on guessing.

"Greetings prime minister Ohgi." Nunnalys voice brought him back to reality. He took her hand, and shook it gently.

"Welcome, Empress Nunnaly, to Japan. We are very happy that this arrangement worked out." Nunnaly smiled.

"Thank you. I am very happy to be back." She gestured to Zero with her hand.
"You are familiar with my guardian, Zero. And this is my personal advisors, Jacobs Edwards and Gellian Smith. Gellian is my chief advisor and Jacob have you meet before, he is in charge of security involving me and the parliament."

Ohgi exchanged handshakes with Jacob and Gellian as they were introduced. Zero made no move to greet him, other than a small nod when Ohgi looked directly at him. Jacob spoke up.

"I hope not to sound disrespectful, but I would very much approve if we could move the meeting to an protected area."

Ohgi smiled. "Of course. We have cars waiting, that will take us to our first destination. Please follow me."

It was a relief when Zero spotted the car meant for Nunnaly. He couldn't help feeling like something was off. Everywhere people were calling out his name.

No, not my name. His name.

He wasn't their hero. He was an imposter.
As Jacob opened the car door and gave signal that everything was okay the feeling of dread became even worse. He stopped dead in his tracks, looking around. Nunnaly turned her head, smiling but with worry in her eyes. "Zero? Is anything wrong?"

He didn't answer right away. Everywhere flashes from the cameras where blinding him.

"I don't know your majesty. But may I please walk in front of you until you're safe in the car?"

It was a unusual request, to walk in front of the empress. He could feel Gellians icing glare on his back, but he didn't care.

Nunnaly nodded. "Of course." He let go of the wheelchair and walked in front of her to the car. His unease grew worse, but he couldn't see anything. Finally Nunnaly was just outside the car. He helped her in, and the feeling disappeared. He relaxed and sat down beside Nunnaly. She looked at him with worry in her big eyes. "What was that?"

"I don't know your majesty. But I felt like I was safe when walking behind you." Nunnaly raised her eyebrows. "Then why would you walk in front of me?"

He turned his head, looking at her. She couldn't see his sad smile, the pained love in his eyes.

"The feeling that I was safe disappeared when I walked in front of you, your majesty. Meaning you weren't safe before."
And you are as close to me as a sister. I will guard you like the brother you've lost.

Nunnaly didn't say anything. This car transported only her, the Prime minister and Zero. Jacob and Gellian would follow in other cars with the rest of their company and the japanese officials.

It wasn't unusual for Zero to make requests like the one he just made. He wanted nothing but her to be safe. Her heart twisted with pain. The thought brought back memories. Unpleasant memories.

Zero reminded her of her brother. And not because he wore the same mask.

I've been really busy lately, but in a few weeks that'll change and chapters will come on a more regular basis.

I've plotted the story, the ending is over and done. It isn't at all how I pictured it to begin with but I guess that's what you call creativity.

I wish you all a very merry and awesome New Year! See ya on the other side! (the time is now 20.20 in Denmark.)