College.

College.

COLLEGE.

!

So, yeah. Hopefully you understand that… holy shit, we're SEVENTEEN chapters in. o.o

Anyway, hi, how have you been? Miss me? How has school been? Work? Anyone watching Free? I am.

Now back to the Story; I don't own Code Geass. Though Leabella is mine T-T You can't tell me otherwise.

Enjoy~

Ch.17

Lelouch 17

"Lelouch, it's awful!" Lelouch blinked hearing Nunnally's distressed voice when he and Kallen entered the room where the rest of the student council—sans Isabella—were huddled around a large TV.

"What is?" he asked feeling a knot forming in his stomach as he and his red head companion joined them.

Milly turned towards them with a solemn face, her arms wrapped around herself, "Prince Clovis has been found dead."

"They're saying he was killed," Rivalz said taking Kallen and Lelouch by surprise.

Shirley didn't turn to them as she spoke with a soft subdued voice, "Princess Leabella is about to address the press."

Lelouch's eyes looked to the TV seeing Leabella standing in front of a podium with her guard behind her. Flashes of light alighted her features as she looked ahead. Lelouch's eyes softened seeing Leabella standing tall before everyone in her military uniform and formal cape. Her wavy hair cascaded down one side of her face adding to the superior aura she was giving off.

"That's got to be tough," Rivalz said grimacing.

"What do you mean?" Shirley said taking her eyes off the screen.

"Imagine it," Lelouch said lowly, "Leabella just arrived to Area 11 about half a year ago. After, being reunited with her country. Despite her guard being made up of Japanese soldiers, she's still new to the region. Her only relative near her was killed," Lelouch noticed Nunnally turning away from him at that, "Now, she has to take responsibility of the entire area."

Shirley looked down sadly, "Oh," she said quietly.

Kallen contemplated Lelouch's words. She knew that it wasn't uncommon for royalty to die—killed by royal competition or otherwise, but she knew how it felt to have an older sibling killed so suddenly. She swallowed down the lump in her throat, focusing on the television. She was not going to sympathize with a Britannian, much less one of royalty.

Leabella looked down at the cameras recording her and started, "My brother was never one for fighting in any setting. Even at a young age, he never took part in sibling rivalry. He became a man that strove for peace through negotiations." Lelouch suppressed a snort, "So, at the news of his death, his murder, Britannia will know Clovis la Britannia as a martyr. He was taken away from our lives, and that will leave a void in the nation for life times to come. He wanted nothing more…" Leabella paused for a moment bringing her hands to the podium; Lelouch guessed they were balled up in fists. "He wanted nothing more than for Japan to be a respectable settlement of Britannia." The camera flashes went wild. Kallen did a double take.

"Damn…" Lelouch muttered under his breath. No one except Kallen, who was right beside him, caught it.

Kallen looked wide eyed at the television, "She said Japan..."

Leabella continued however the broadcast was stalled as a news woman appeared, "We interrupt this broadcast with breaking news." Rivalz raised an eyebrow humming in question. "The man suspected for the murder of Prince Clovis has been captured. According to this report, the suspect is an Honorary Britannian." There was a collective gasp throughout the room. Suzaku was shown on the screen being restrained by two soldiers.

"What the…" Lelouch breathed in shock.

"Private Suzaku Kururugi, a former Eleven and Honorary Britannian."

"There's no way!" Rivalz exclaimed.

Lelouch stared shell-shocked at the screen as Suzaku was hit across the face by a soldier restraining him.

"I repeat; Suzaku Kururugi arrested for murder."

Nunnally spoke urgently, "Sissy isn't going to let this happen, right?"

"O-of course," Milly said after a moment, "I mean, there's no way he did it…right?"

"No, he didn't," Lelouch said firmly. Everyone looked at him in surprise, "We all know Suzaku; he's not that kind of a man. It's most likely that neither Leabella nor Isabella," Lelouch blinked however moved on, "had anything to do with his arrest."

"Of course not," Shirley said loudly, "I mean, Suzaku is Isabella's friend."

"It's not that," Kallen said, "Suzaku is only a private, so he has not military influence aside from being part of Princess Leabella's guard. Most likely, the purists are leading the investigation, couldn't find the actual murder, and are using Suzaku."

"A scapegoat?" Milly frowned.

"And a good one," Lelouch added.

"Why's that?" Rivalz said darkly, not liking the atmosphere in the room.

Kallen frowned, "Have you ever seen an Eleven or Honorary Britannian walk away when accused of a crime, let alone treason?"

Leabella 17 | Two hours later

"You're Highness!" two military officers bowed their heads to Leabella as she walked up to them.

Leabella scowled seeing them eye Yuuto and Masanori behind her, "Let me through."

"We're sorry, Princess," one of the officers said stiffly, "But Lord Gottwald is currently—"

"Men, you are defying orders from your Viceroy," Leabella said smoothly, making the two officers jump, "Do not tell me you hold Gottwald's orders over my own."

"Of course not!" one said hastily.

Leabella frowned, "Because that is equivalent to treason." Both men gulped stepping aside to let the Princess through. As Leabella opened the door she said, "Be prepared to receive your punishment soon."

"You're Highness?!" Gottwald exclaimed when the door was opened and light bore into the interrogation room. Leabella looked at the handful of men hovering over the fallen and beaten Suzaku.

Leabella led her glare by every man in the room then settled on Jeremiah. "Get out."

"Princess, the interrogation isn't over," Gottwald said smoothly.

"Jeremiah Gottwald," Leabella snapped, "I ordered you to lead my brother's investigation. You have soiled Clovis's name by taking advantage of the situation." Jeremiah was stunned to silence. "Now, follow my orders before I have you put in a prisoner's uniform for insubordination and disrespecting our former Viceroy."

Jeremiah Gottwald stared up at Leabella in surprise, fear, and nostalgia. The fire in her eyes—although violet—resembled those of the late Marianne. Her stance and long dark hair reminded him so much of the consort. Slowly, Gottwald stood up from his seat. Leabella was still glaring at him as his men followed his out of the room. Once they were all exited, the door closed leaving Leabella to the boy tied on the floor.

Suzaku watched as Leabella moved to turn the lights of the room on, and he struggled to sit himself up. Leabella walked over to him helping him sit up against the wall, and she set forth the under the binds of the prison uniform.

"Princess, I—" Suzaku started.

"My name is Leabella," she cut in, focused on undoing the binds.

Suzaku was quiet for a while, "Leabella…"

Leabella just finished undoing the last buckle of the torso binds, saying, "I know you didn't do it. You were in the Lancelot when Clovis was killed." Leabella looked down at her hands as they held the last straps of the bind attacked to Suzaku's elbows, "I was in the consulate when it happened."

"Were they the one's that hurt you?" Suzaku asked quickly and lowly, "Are they the reason you were unconscious for so long?"

Leabella sighed, "I don't know. I mean," Leabella forwarded her brows staring at Suzaku's chest with hard eyes, "I was there, I didn't see them; I heard a gunshot, and… everything was just " Immediately, strong arms pulled her towards his chest. Leabella gasped at the sudden movement but relaxed feeling warm hands move up and down her back.

And she cried. Partly for Clovis; Partly for all the mess and frustration she had gone through. She cried for Suzaku, because she knew he was hurt to begin with and now, he was in more pain; and cried a little more when she brought her hands around him and he flinched.

She moved away to see his bruised and scratched face. "I'm sorry," she said softly moving her hands over his face seeing how upset he looked at the moment, "…so sorry."

Suzaku's hands came up to her head, moving her hair out of her face and brushing the tears away, "It's okay. I'm okay."

"You're hurt," Leabella countered in a small voice.

"What's a little bumps and bruises?" Suzaku said lightly. "They can heal."

The corner's of Leabella's frowned turned up slightly at his reassuring face. She sighed, "I'm going to get you out of this."

"How?" Suzaku asked, "Wouldn't it look like you're just throwing your title around?"

"That's what all royalty do," Leabella deadpanned. "However, I do have evidence to back up your innocence: One being the time of death," Suzaku winced, "And, two being the activity log of the Lancelot." Suzaku hummed nodding to the information shifting to a more comfortable position on the floor. "Now," Leabella started again after some silence, "Although you are technically arrested, I have made the arrangements for you to be moved to my division."

Suzaku looked at her perplexed, "How?"

"Oh you know," Leabella's eyes roamed around, "Here and there, a little title throwing." She cracked a smile finally, and Suzaku lit up and laughed. Leabella said unenthusiastically, "You'll have to wear an ankle bracelet though….and be monitored. But, it'll be by Yuuto, so no more hitting." Leabella ran her hand across his chest feeling his bandages under the uniform.

"That is more than I can ask for, Pri—Leabella," Suzaku said. His arms loosened around her yet still circled her as he asked, "Though, how is this going to look on you? Won't the nobles be upset with you supporting someone suspected of treason?"

"I've done many things that the nobles don't like," Leabella said confidently, "Joining the military, having my guard composed completely of Japanese, hell, some are still mad I made it back from Belarus. But, the nobles don't matter, my siblings and my father know that I wouldn't be stupid enough to back up an accused man if I didn't know he was innocent. It's Gottwald that's going to look like a fool."

Suzaku whistled lightly, "You're a force to be reckoned with."

"No kidding." Both teens jumped when a rough voice cut into their conversation. Leabella turned seeing a displease Yuuto standing in the doorway and Masanori looking anywhere but at the two on the floor.

Leabella moved her hands, which had been resting on Suzaku's shoulders to her lap, "You know, it's impolite to eavesdrop."

"Since when have I ever been polite?" Yuuto chuckled leaning against the door frame, "You know, it's unbecoming of a Princess to be late to her appointments."

"Right," Leabella sighed standing up and helping Suzaku to his feet. Masanori moved into the room to swing Suzaku's arm around the older man's shoulder for support. "

Suzaku smiled gratefully at the man then turned to Leabella, "What appointment do you have?"

"I need to discuss a few things with Isabella to get a few errands done," Leabella said and Yuuto frowned.

Suzaku blinked, "Oh, tell Isa 'Hi' for me. I haven't seen her in a while," Suzaku said brightening up.

Leabella nodded and looked from Suzaku to Masanori, "Go get Suzaku settled into the quarters; I see you guys soon."

They walked out of the room together. Before they split ways Yuuto asked, "Do you need someone with you?"

"Eiji is taking me," Leabella said over her shoulder as she turned on a corner. Masanori sighed and continued to walk, and Yuuto groaned out a deep breat and slung his arm over Suzaku's shoulders, surprising the teen.

"Alright, listen here," Yuuto said loudly, "We're going to go get a hunk of metal attached to your foot."

"It's is his ankle," Masanori said exasperated.

"Yeah," Yuuto said keeping his attention on Suzaku, "And, then we're going to have a little talk about how although we approve of you being with our Princess," Suzaku rose an eyebrow, blushing a bit, "we, by no means, are going to make it easy for you." Suzaku sweat dropped. "And, then, I will punch you in the face."

"You can't punch him in the face," Masanori scolded.

"What about in the gut?"

"You can't punch him at all!"

Isabella 17 | Eiji 19

"So," Leabella said has she adjusted to wig on her head, "How is school going?"

Eiji quirked an eyebrow as he started Yuuto's car, "I think what you want to ask is 'How are my siblings doing?' no, Princess?"

"I'll get there," Leabella-now in her disguise, replied, "But, right now, I'm asking you how you are doing. How is the tutoring going?"

"Very well actually," Eiji replied driving out of the government bureau, "I spoke with the chairmen to discuss Suzaku's and your situation, and he brought of my graduation. He said if all goes well, I can graduate in a year and a half."

The blonde smiled, "That's great."

Eiji chuckled, "The student council president barged in during a history lecture to ask me about Suzaku and you." Isabella groaned. "Couldn't really blame them. I told them that Suzaku and you were okay."

"I'm sure they're still worried, and probably more worried if they saw the news about Suzaku a while ago," Isabella sighed. They sat in silence for a few moments, and Eiji finally parked near the settlements edge.

"So, how are we going to do this?" Eiji asked.

"Well," Isabella started, "If we're lucky, the resistance group has heard from the voice."

"The voice?" Eiji snorted as they made there way into the ghetto.

"What else do you want me to call him?" Isabella grouched. Eiji shrugged amused. "Anyway," Isabella said, "If we're not so lucky, there is still some good coming out of this."

"Like what?" the boy asked looking about the torn apart buildings.

Isabella smiled slightly as the beat up warehouses came into view, "You'll see. Just remember to call me Isabella."

"Yes, Princess."

"Isabella!" Eiji jumped when they entered one of the warehouses and someone immediately yelled out.

"Good to see you too, Tamaki," Isabella greeted looking around the area, "Where's Kaname?"

"Ah," Tamaki waved his hand dismissively, "He's in the office brooding. Anyway, who's his guy? You never bring new recruits." Tamaki raised a teasing eyebrow, "Is he a boyfriend?"

"Eh," Isabella started, "He's not really a new recruit and we're just friends. I actually brought him here for a reason." Tamaki raised a confused eyebrow, and Isabella stepped closer to say lowly, "Is Yoshitaka here?"

"Huh? Yeah, he's here," Tamaki said turning towards the open door that led to the room with the single TV, "Yo! Yoshitaka!"

Isabella groaned, exasperated, and Eiji's looked at Tamaki in surprise, "Yoshitaka?"

"Yes, Tamaki?" a violet haired man answered emerging from the room, "What is it?"

"Isabella wants you," Tamaki waved off the three as he made his way to Kaname's office.

Isabella looked over at Eiji as he stood at his spot still as stone. He stared wide eyed at the man looking at Isabella questionably. After a moment of not having the blonde's attention, Yoshitaka Minami followed Isabella's gaze catching Eiji's.

Eiji forwarded his brows taking a step towards Yoshitaka. The man looked Eiji up and down. Yoshitaka breathes out subdued, "Eiji?"

Eiji 13 | Yoshitaka 20

"Why are you staying here!?" a young Eiji yelled, his voice becoming hoarse as he followed Yoshitaka around the small Minami household, "We can all have such a better life in the settlement."

"Eiji," Yashitaka said firmly giving the younger boy a strong look, "You wouldn't understand. This has to do with with what I'm pressueing."

Eiji glared, "You mean that resistance group?" Yashitaka looked away from the accusing eyes that matched those of his mother and entered the dining/living room. "You know better than I do that it's going nowhere. Why do you continue with that, Yoshi? You can get killed, and mom or I would never know!" The older of the two's eyes widened at the statement, "Do you really want her to go through that ag-!"

Eiji flinched sharply at the sound of Yoshitaka's fist banging on the table to stop his rant. "I'm doing this so that I can make a difference for her," Yoshitaka growled staring at Eiji fiercely, "You weren't the one who had to tell mom about dad. I know how it affected her. And, she knows what I'm risking."

Eiji stayed quiet for a moment because speaking again, "I'm staying with you."

"No," Yoshitaka said gathering his keys and his red bandana, "You're going with mom." Yoshitaka started for the door, and Eiji followed him to the house entrance, "She's going to need you."

Eiji blinked as his head tilted to one side, "Yoshi…"

Yoshi grinned bringing Eiji into a tight hug, "Eiji!" Isabella smiled at the two as the brothers exchanged pleasantries: Yoshitaka commenting on how built Eiji had gotten, Eiji commenting on Yoshi looking old.

"Wait," Eiji paused looking at Isabella, "You've been in a resistance group with my brother and you never told me?"

Isabella shrugged, "How was I supposed to know?" Isabella crossed her arms over her chest, rumbling, "Plus, you wouldn't open up for at least two months." Eiji laughed sheepishly agreeing with her.

"So," Yoshitaka started confused, "Do you both go to the same school? Or you met somewhere…?"

Eiji looked at Isabella questionably. "You can tell him," Isabella said dismissively and made her way to Kaname's office.

"So, who's that guy you brought?" Tamaki asked as he leaned seething against Kaname's office's wall.

"A recruit?" Kaname question perking up.

"No," Isabella said settling in a chair across from Kaname, "He's Minami's little brother from the guard."

Kaname frowned, "Was it such a smart idea to bring him? I get that you and Yuuto aren't loyal, but not everyone is like that."

"He's Minami's own flesh and blood," Isabella said sternly, "He wouldn't endanger his only family like that."

"So, what?" Tamaki butt in, "You're a kickass knightmare pilot, commander of a resistance group, adviser to royalty, and, now, a family counselor?"

"I try," Isabella shot back sarcastically. She turned to Kaname, "I was hoping Kallen would be here. Eiji goes to school with us, and I wanted them to meet, so that we can relay messages. I'm busy during the day with settling the military with the Princess and smoothing over things with the assassination. I'd use my phone, but with the investigation the government bureau is in high alert. I can't really do anything when everything I do is monitored until I'm in our division."

Kaname sat straighter, "So, is that why you brought him?"

"What? Eiji?" Isabella rose an eyebrow, "I supposed that was a subconscious reason. I mainly brought him for Minami. However, he's still in school and has tutoring, but unlike Yuuto or I, he doesn't have activities in the evening or on the weekends, so he'll be coming when available."

"Sounds like a good plan," Kaname said then asked, "What's keeping Yuuto from coming?"

"He's the head of the royal guard," Isabella said proudly, "Until one is chosen, he is the Princess's acting knight."

"Poor dude," Tamaki winced, "Having to be a bodyguard to a pompous little…"

Isabella cleared her throat, "Anyway, I wanted to know if there had been any word from that voice."

Kaname nodded, "Kallen got word from him."

"Kallen?" Isabella leaned foward, "When? Where?"

Kaname brought his hand up to rub his chin, "She called about an hour ago. Said she got a call off the school phone."

Isabella forwarded her brows thinking, "The school phone…"

"Yeah," Kaname continued, "She said the voice said to go to the Tokyo Tower in two days at 4pm."

Isabella hummed, "Two days...so he's not ready to approach us yet. However, that fact they called her from access of a school phone of all things concerns me...they know her identity...but to get a call to her through those means...he wants us to know, he know who we are-or at least who Kallen is...but a school phone would be difficult to get to...that would mean that it either came from a faculty office…."

"A teacher maybe?" Kaname suggested.

"Well, it has to be someone involved in school. The only way to access internal numbers is to either be a student or staff member...but then...what time did Kallen say she had been contacted?" Isabella asked urgently.

"Uh…" Kaname mulled over the question trying to dig through his memory, "I don't remember the exact time but for sure it was after school. I asked what kept her on campus in the first place, but she wouldn't say."

"The student council!" Isabella exclaimed then frowned deeply, "But the lines to the clubhouse are private...and who would know she was there…" Isabella groaned.

Kaname chuckled softly, "You'll figure it out." Kaname frowned, his expression serious, "They told her to go alone."

"Not happening," Isabella said flatly.

"Exactly," Kaname said. "A few others and I are planning on tailing her."

Isabella nodded pursing her lip, "That time is a couple hours after school...I would go along with her if it wouldn't cause the probability of setting whoever this voice is off. I guess I'm going with you."

Leabella | Eiji

"So," Leabella started after entering the military base's garage, "How was the reunion?" They had been silent the entire ride back from Shinguku.

Eiji frowned softly, "I had to tell him about our mother."

"How'd he take it?" the Princess asked lowly.

"Not that well, but it's be expected," Eiji said as he parked the car, "I told him someday that I'd show him the gave when we had time. After that he asked how I was living on my own." Eiji paused, "You know that last time we saw each other, he was telling me to leave the ghetto. Now, he was asking me to stay."

Leabella sighed, "You know, I would resent you if you did. I would understand." Eiji looked at her surprised. "You've finally seen your sibling after so long, all you want to do is be by their side."

Eiji frowned, "No." Leabella looked at him quizzingly, "Yes, Yoshi is my brother, but I've sworn my loyalty to you. I'm not going back on my word."

Leabella smiled solemnly as they exited the car. They made their way to the guard's division. The Princess looked over at the soldier feeling reassured that his subconscious agreed with his words in his mind. Then, she cracked, "I didn't know you were so stubborn."

Eiji snorted.

"Leaving Leabella to the boy tied on the floor" Take that out of context

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