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

~ Truth or Lies

Getting ready

"People of Japan, I sit before you today as a guest in your country. As the ruler of Britannia it is in your right and in my place to apologize for the wrongs my country have done yours. Every last one of the global human rights were ignored as Britannia fought to gain control of the entire world, including Japan. We fought against you, we enslaved you, and we hurt you, people, soul and country.

No words can ever express how mortified I am about this, and no sorry can ever bring back your loved ones. I can only say this: I am deeply sorry, and on behalf of the people of Britannia I pray for your forgiveness.

I can't even imagine how it must be for you, how you must feel. But I know the feeling of being betrayed and toyed with by those who are stronger than myself and I know how feelings can bottle up and how lies can destroy lives. The lives of the innocent. I don't ask for you to like me, or Britannia. The terrors we put upon you were great, and can't excused only by words. Forgiveness takes more than that.

But, proud people of Japan, as Desmond Tutu said 'There can be no future without forgiveness.'

I'm not ready to forgive myself, or Britannia for the horrors we've done, for the crimes we've committed, the wars, the countless lives we've taken. We will never forget, but we mustn't get lost in the past for if we do we'll never be able to find the future.

The country of Japan sheltered me when I was abandoned by my own country and family. I'll never forget the kindness you showed me when I needed it. And I will make sure it'll never be forgotten.

So, people of Japan, everything and everyone: please acknowledge our most deeply felt apology. Let's built a future without the wrongs of the past."

Nunnaly bowed her head, with her hand across her heart.

Everyone was quite. The cameras were rolling, politicians, reporters, police and everything in between were looking at Nunnaly with wonder in their eyes.
Then a man started clapping. And another. And in a few seconds the entire hall resounded with applause and cheering from the crowd.

Nunnaly looked up as Ohgi laid his hand over hers. He was smiling, his eyes shining brightly.
"Thank you empress Nunnaly. As you say, we will never forget the crimes Britannia committed against us. But we'll remember them in such a way that they'll never take place again in human history. The road to a better world is forgiveness, and on behalf of my countrymen I accept your apology. May the future be good for Japan, Britannia and the entire world."

Zero watched from the back as applause rose from the crowd at the words of the prime minister.
He'd chosen not to go on the stage and into view of the cameras. Everything about him was a symbol of the hatred against Britannia. Though he'd been with Nunnaly for almost two years now he wouldn't want to encourage angry feelings. And, while being inside the Parliament, Nunnaly would be perfectly safe.

Forgiveness. Could he forgive? Had he forgiven those he needed to forgive? Or did he still have one person to forgive. And did he want to forgive him?

Was the pain in his heart something else entirely? He abandoned his trail of thoughts as Nunnaly approached with Ohgi and Lady Kaguya.

Zero wasn't stupid. He could see it in their eyes as they looked at him. They wanted answers.
I only hope I'll be able to avoid them.

"Zero, we'll go to the house of prime minister Ohgi now. I've informed Gellian that she is to be here with the others. You're the only one who will accompany me." Nunnaly smiled as Zero stepped behind her, but it didn't reach her eyes. He could see it. She'd sold him out. I hope you can forgive me. Her words from the plane came back to him.
There was nothing to forgive, he'd known this day would arrive. Nunnaly was only human. Of course she also wanted answers.

"As you wish, your majesty."

The young woman stepped out of the airport, a big travel bag in her hand. She looked around a minute before spotting a taxi. She raised her hand.

The taxi pulled over and the chauffeur helped her with her bag.

"Downtown." She looked out of the window. She had a bad feeling about this.

Zero was.. uncomfortable. The car stopped, and he was about to help Nunnaly out when he spotted movement behind the windows of the house Ohgi lived in with his wife Viletta and their young child. He froze for a second, watching. The person who'd moved quickly moved away from the window. It was hardly a sniper. And certainly not a servant or a woman carrying a baby.

He then looked at the house, his old house. His old home. It seemed like an eternity since he'd been here. Not since that day.
Not since the day I murdered my father.

He wondered who was in the house beside those who were supposed be according to the deal Nunnaly had told him about on the plane as the young empress drove her wheelchair in front of him by herself, Ohgi walking alongside her.
They were talking about some collaboration between their two nations, just like good rulers would do. He kept his distance. As Ohgi helped Nunnaly through the doors he shot a quick glance at Zero. A glance that hold a unspoken promise.

Zero smiled to himself as he walked thorugh the door. He had just walked into the lions den, and he knew that there would be no help from Nunnaly once the lions had him surrounded. In all of their months together she'd never once asked him about anything. At all. But knowing Nunnaly, she was merely waiting for the perfect moment.

And I am pretty sure that moment is now.

They were standing in the main hall. Staff of the household had lined up, and bowed to the empress. An elderly woman stepped forward. Ohgi introduced them her as the leader of staff, mrs Genso. She would show them to their room, as they would stay in his house through their stay in Japan, the prime minister s house being the safest place they'd been able to find.

"Once you've been installed in your room, your luggage are already waiting, mrs Genso will lead you to the conference hall Empress Nunnaly. I will see you there in half an hour." Ohgi explained.

A few moments after Zero was pushing Nunnaly down the hall, lost in thought.
He didn't like the idea of staying here. It was his old house, his old home, the house where the japanese prime ministers lived with their families in Tokyo. The house where he'd killed his father.
But he was here as Zero, and Zero didn't have that past and that burden.
No, Zero only killed two emperors, countless people and caused a world war.
Irony.

Nunnaly's rooms were beautiful, designed in a traditional Japanese fashion with touch of the west. No doubt it was the work of Viletta.
"If you'll follow me master Zero, I'll be showing you to your room." he was about to answer when Nunnaly spoke up.
"That won't be nessesary. Zero always stays close to me. He'll stay in one of the rooms you've given me. Please have his things brought here."
Mrs. Genso looked confused. "But, your majesty the prime minister instructed me to.."
"I am aware that this wasn't a part of our agreement. However as you without a doubt know, Zero is very private around his person. Furthermore he prefers to stay close to me, should anything happen."
"But, there isn't any beds besides yours in here your majesty."
"That won't be a problem." Zero said quietly. "I prefer it that way."

You shall sacrifice the ordinary pleasures of you life for the benefit of the world.

Mrs. Genso looked uncertain, but nodded. "Very well. I will have to inform the prime minister about this though."
Nunnaly smiled. "Of course. I am sorry if you had it planned out otherwise, but we always do it this way. Not that I think anything will happen to me while in this house, I am more relaxed when knowing Zero is close to me."

Mrs Genso bowed. "Then you shall have it that way your Majesty. A servant will arrive in twenty minutes time and take you to the conference hall where you'll have a meeting with the prime minister and some of his advisors."

As mrs Genso left the room Zero quickly ran the rooms through, looking for anything suspicious. Nunnaly watched as he went through one room after the other.
"There is no need to check all of them Zero. I won't use them anyway."

"I know your majesty, and forgive me but I'm more safe when I know for myself that everything is in order." She dropped the topic, it was a dead end talking security with him. For each place they stayed the more paranoid he got. She watched him walk through the rooms, frowning.

"Tell me Zero, have you ever been in this house before?"

He stopped, looking at her. "Of course not your majesty. Why do you ask?"

"No reason. It's just, you move like have been here before, like you know it."

"I've lived in japanese homes before, and if you forgive me your majesty, once you've seen one you've seen them all." Nunnaly laughed.

"Have you chosen a room to stay in Zero?"

"The one just beside yours your majesty. I'm most at ease when knowing I can reach you fast should it be needed."

"There isn't any bed or sofa in there." Nunnaly pointed out, looking in the room.
It was a small study, with a desk, chair, a bookcase and some decorations, but other than that nothing.

"Please your majesty, it's fine. You don't have to worry yourself over me." Nunnaly signed and dropped the topic. He insisted on sleeping in chairs. She'd only once convinced him to sleep an a couch and that was right after he'd been shot..

A soft knock on the door ended her thoughts. The servant mrs Genso had mentioned stood in the door. "Your majesty, empress Nunnaly. If you and master Zero will please follow me and I'll take you to the conference hall.

Zero pushed Nunnaly down the hall.

This will be fun.

Oh dear mother of … something (I'm not religious). Two chapters in one afternoon! On New Years Eve no less!
I don't celebrate New Years. I don't drink, I hate fireworks and I'm tired. So not in the mood for socializing tonight.

Things are starting to get interesting. I wonder if the M will soon be taking into use.