Author's Note: Good news for you all. I know how this chapter will start AND end. As well as a vague idea for part of the middle. So this chapter really can't take too terribly long. At least if I don't procrastinate. Too much any way.

As I write this I realize that if I want this to end like I want it to then this is going to be a long chapter. Might have to change what scene I wanted to happen there so things don't feel rushed. I'm rewatching some of these beginning episodes of Code Geass. There were a few things I had honestly forgotten about.

Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass and that will never change.

Stage 05
Sibling Reunion

Cornelia stared in confused shock at what she was seeing. Lelouch had contacted her, but it was more than that. Somehow he was using the private communication line to the Viceroy's office that required a pass key. A pass key that changed every month. Not that she wasn't happy to see him in person so to speak. Just this should be impossible unless the security was more lax than she had always been told.

"H-how?" She managed to stutter as her concerns about security overpowered her joy.

Lelouch just smiled mysteriously, "Does it matter?" Truthfully he was well aware of her concerns because he would be have them too in her position. After all if a teenager, sibling or not, could gain access to this private video call system then it would be easy to see a threat potentially utilizing such a security failure in the future. One that could possibly use it to glean important information. Whether through spying or using it to steal files. Such a thing is a very big deal.

He sighed after seeing she wouldn't bite on leaving it at that. Not that he blamed her since a security flaw could pose a risk to Euphie. He would react much the same for Nunnally's safety. "You don't need to worry. After this call I'll will be deleting my presence from the system entirely. It will revert back to how it was before this." At the end of the day this hacking job wasn't technically his own work, but Lelouch did have some skill. Enough to do as he promised.

This was actually all thanks to Nina. Not that she was aware of it. For nearly a year and a half Lelouch had carefully tried to hack his way into this very same system. His aim had been to do exactly what Cornelia feared someone could do if getting in was so easy, but it was to no avail. The system was too complicated and, as intelligent as he was, Lelouch lacked the skills needed to do it.

Lelouch was still proud of his manipulation of Nina to make this possible. At least of the manipulation itself as he didn't enjoy doing such a thing to someone he considered a friend. All he did was make a proposition about her own skills and pride as a computer genius. He would hazard a guess that she had taken a peek under the hood before as she recognized what he was doing almost immediately. Her moral compass would have prevented her from hacking it before however.

Though, as intended, his questioning of her abilities had made her ignore that so she could prove herself to her friend. It helped he wasn't rude to her and just made it seem like it would be no big deal so long as they left no trace. He had done more than just manipulate Nina truthfully. Lelouch had also been running a program that would record everything she would do. It had taken her nearly a whole afternoon, but he watched her do it. Lelouch congratulated her and had even been genuine in his assertions. She really was amazing with a computer.

Unfortunately for him, after later replicating what she had done, he came to find out just what it would take to steal files. It would require someone as skilled as Nina or even better and he knew Nina wouldn't go so far no matter how much he poked her pride. With his Geass he could convince Nina to hack more for him, but he didn't want to resort to something that would likely cause problems for a friend. The information could be useful, but Milly would never support that.

As it was this was all he could do. He couldn't even just turn on the speakers to listen in on any conversations going on in the Viceroy's office. This and some slight access to the security cameras. Just enough to get the video, but no sound. "I do wonder how quickly the emperor will find out about this communication though. No doubt the OSI has your office bugged," Lelouch snorted, but shrugged. "Can't be helped."

The truth of his words sank in and she realized just what this talk could cause. Just what Lelouch was risking. "We shouldn't talk here then." Cornelia was worried for her favorite half-siblings as the emperor surely wouldn't their refusal to return well. If he cared that is.

Footsteps echoed loudly before their owner kneeled, "Your majesty. The body has just arrived."

Charles zi Britannia stared passively into the perpetual sunset of the thought elevator. "Very well. I've just finished speaking to Clovis." Not turning to face the man behind him, "You're dismissed." It was only once the member of the Geass Order was gone he spoke again. More so to himself as the only remaining witness was the Collective Unconscious itself. "So you've finally made your move and you have even obtained Geass from C.C."

The emperor's lips curled into a cold smirk, "How far do you think you can go? I'll be waiting my errant son."

"I'm sorry Cornelia, but I'm just not ready for a face to face meeting with you and Euphie. I'm only contacting you now because I made a promise to Nunnally," and he refused to disappoint her. She wanted to talk to their sisters because they hadn't been able to at Ashford and he would do as she wanted. "It is almost her bedtime, but I think she won't mind staying up a little while longer than usual if she can talk to you two." Lelouch smirked and continued in an I-know-something-you-don't kind of tone, "Besides they couldn't trace me if they tried."

That only left her more questions than answers, but the way this was going she suspected it would stay that way. Probably for the best right now anyway with OSI almost certainly listening in. "I will have to take your word for it," Cornelia frowned. Displeased, but was willing to trust her brother.

"Though before we go get our sister's would you mind answering some of my questions?"

She wasn't very surprised that he was asking. From what Suzaku had told them Lelouch had a healthy distrust of the empire and an even healthier hatred for its ruler. Cornelia didn't mind answering some of his questions so long as he answered hers. "So it's business before pleasure for you. Very well. So long as I can ask my own." She was quite sure she knew what his first question would pertain to. Cornelia only hoped her answer would satisfy him.

Lelouch's features tightened, but he was unsurprised by her request and nodded. He was glad he wouldn't have to harm her to discover what she knows though. "My mother. What do you know about her death?"

Something in his eyes unsettled her as he asked his question. Cornelia wondered just what he truly thought about their family barring their father. She put that aside for now and squared herself. "Not much. I investigated Lady Marianne's death, but everything I found led to a dead end." That was something that still bothered her to this day. There was no chance a terrorist group could have left absolutely no paper trail and that lack of one could have only involved a cover up from high up. The implications still chilled her to the bone.

His indignation boiled at her answer and Lelouch could only just keep his expression from turning ugly. Taking a deep breath he forced himself to relax. He made himself remember that this was Cornelia. "Even so I would like for you to tell me what you can."

For the briefest of moments his expression sent a wave of terror she couldn't explain through her. The princess feared that perhaps Suzaku had understated the rage that lied just under the surface of her beloved half-brother. Pushing those feelings away she stood up straight and did as he asked. "I'm certain you remember that I was the captain of the guard at the Aries Villa. Your mother was my idol."

As always thinking of the late fifth consort made her stomach twist and turn. Speaking of her to her son only made her regret stronger than it had been in years. "She was the very reason I joined the military!" Cornelia sighed and laid her head in her palm, "I loved the position I had seven years ago. Though I loved you, Nunnally, and your mother even more."

Her words reminded Lelouch of the presence she had in his childhood. A fact he knew well, but sometimes his anger would get the best of him. Lelouch nodded and now calmer, "Yes. I remember. Back then life was so much simpler . . ."

A small smile spread across her face as she caught a glimpse of the little brother she once knew. It made her happy to know he was still in there somewhere, "It was. Which is why I want you to understand that it wasn't by my choice that there were no guards in the Villa at the time of the attack. I was under orders."

"Finally! We get somewhere," Lelouch thought with building excitement. "Whose orders?"

"Lady Marianne's."

It felt like the world was pulled out from under him as his eyes widened in shock. "Wha-what?" He didn't want to think that his mother and sister were left defenseless by her own orders. The prince wanted to refuse that idea, but it was Cornelia who said it. She wouldn't lie about this. No matter what Clovis had said.

She scowled as she thought back, "I don't know what your mother was thinking, but what little I have discovered has pointed towards her having a meeting. I don't know who with or even if the meeting ever occurred. Just that the person was someone she didn't want anyone to see let alone meet." Sighing she let it go to avoid getting worked about it, "That is all I know. I'm sorry that I couldn't be of more help Lelouch."

"Someone she didn't want others to see," he muttered to himself and a cold smile spread across his face as he considered the possibilities. "It's fine. It's still more than I knew before. It tells me that it is possible that person, whoever they are, could very well be involved. A person she knew and trusted enough to have a private meeting with."

Cornelia really didn't like the smile on his face, but was going to take this chance to ask her own question. "I've answered your question, but now it's my turn." She was hesitant, but there was only one thing she wanted to know. She solidified her resolve, "Do you . . . hate us?"

Kallen was conflicted. Which is why she was standing here in front of her mother's room. What Lelouch had said earlier struck a cord with her and she knew it was because he would never see his again. Perhaps there was more to her reason for staying here than she thought. She would only know if she asked.

"I-I can't do it. Not after all I've done." After how badly she had treated her own mother. "I'm a coward." Kallen walked away, but before she was out of sight she glanced back guiltily.

His eyes widened as he was caught off guard with her question. "Do I hate you?"

The princess shifted uncomfortably, "Yes." Cornelia looked at her half-brother with sadness and regret. She could only imagine what her beloved siblings had gone through here. She had a better idea than some, but her experience was from the perspective of a soldier. Not a innocent civilian amidst a war. "Do you hate Euphie or myself?"

Lelouch stared at her before looking down and sighing. "I . . . don't." He glanced back up at her with softer eyes now, "Or should I say I don't anymore."

"So you did once."

He hesitated in nodding because it wasn't completely true. "I never once hated Euphie. How could I?"

His words, though they insinuated that he had once hated her, gave her peace. Even after all he had been through he never stopped caring for Euphie. Never stopped loving her. Though she would guess that the puppy crush he had on her was gone now. Not that she minded that. "What changed?."

It only took a moment for a tender smile spread across his face and a light to enter his eyes. "It was thanks to Milly."

The look he had was not lost on her. Milly was special to him. Whether he knew it or not he was probably in love with the Ashford girl. Cornelia would be willing to bet that he didn't know. Lelouch wasn't any better at such things than he was seven years ago. At least not if the stories she heard from the girl herself proved anything. "How did she help?"

"You have to understand that after being sent to Japan so callously like we were I grew to resent Britannia. That resentment turned into hatred and that hatred turned into a seething rage." His fists clinched as he remembered how he foolish he had been. "Nunnally was the only person I could forget those feelings with. So long as I was with her."

"It didn't take long for that anger to blind me to the good memories I had with all of you. Soon I couldn't remember anything, but distrust and anger if I thought of Schneizel, Clovis, or you." Lelouch fell silent to contemplate how to properly answer her question. "Milly . . . Milly simply offered me an ear. She was persuasive and convinced me to tell her things I wouldn't even tell Nunnally."

"Things you wouldn't even tell Nunnally?" Cornelia blinked and wondered just how much the heiress knew about her brother.

He nodded, "She allowed me to vent about all my feelings of betrayal, rage, and more. I couldn't have ever bothered my sister with such dark thoughts and it was poisoning me. Milly allowed me to gain the focus needed to realize who the only person that deserved all that hate was."

The princess knew exactly who he was talking about. She whispered it just loudly enough for him to hear, "Our father."

"I owe Milly everything. Because of her I grew to be able to see past that hatred and was able to make friends. That raw anger is no longer pointed at anyone and everyone. It's focused solely on two things. The emperor," he purposely enunciated the word to show he refused to call him father, "and Britannia as a whole. Not the people, but the system."

Those words only made her fear that he may very well join up with someone like Zero. If he hadn't already. Cornelia paled at the thought of fighting her beloved half-brother, but knew this wasn't the time to bring it up. She brought out a spare sheet of paper and wrote a message for him that the OSI won't hear.

Lelouch read the paper she held up and was surprised. It was her personal phone number. She was asking he use it sometime. Even if it was for something trivial. He nodded without saying anything about it out loud and wrote it down. "I think that is enough business for now. Don't you? I think Euphie and Nunnally would like to talk to each other."

She was about to agree when she remembered something else. "One last thing. Suzaku said it was a girl rather than poison gas in that container. Do you know why she was held captive or where she might be?"

He raised an eyebrow, "I assume you are going to try to investigate what Clovis had been up to?" The raven-haired teen moved on without bothering her for an answer he already knew. Then he fabricated a half-truth for her, "I asked her, but she was rather mum about it. We helped each other reach the safety outside of the Ghetto and then we went our separate ways. Though as thanks I gave her enough money for new clothes and some food."

Cornelia looked at him oddly, "Why money for new clothes?"

"She was in a straitjacket," he told her plainly, "and I owed her for help that I would have died without." Lelouch ignored her gasp at his admission and continued, "Though her attire and containment does leave me with an idea. You won't like my theory."

"I have to know what Clovis was up to. No matter what."

Lelouch grimaced, but acquiesced to her demand. "Unless she happens the most dangerous criminal on the planet the circumstances I found her in forces me to believe the worst. Considering I didn't recognize her face the former reasoning becomes highly improbable." His expression darkened before he told her his hunch that he wasn't confident enough to actually ask C.C. about. "I think our brother might have been involved with human experimentation."

He was right. She didn't like it.

Both Cornelia and Lelouch smiled as their little sisters appeared on screen. Though seeing Nunnally hurt the viceroy. Her siblings had been exiled before she had been able to see her again once she woke up. She had never seen her sister in the wheelchair. The same went for Euphie who hadn't been told why she was needed. Which is why she was staring in shock.

Nunnally, in the face of the silence, had absolutely no idea what was going on. She tilted her head to the side in a confused curiosity, "Big brother? What did you need?" The young girl yawned cutely, "It's almost bed time."

He only smiled and took her hand after kneeling in front of her, "I have a surprise for you."

Tears began falling down Euphemia's face in big drops, "N-Nunna. It's you . . ." She so desperately wanted to be able to hold her frail-looking sister. The pinkette placed a hand against the screen as she stared.

Nunnally froze and turned her head towards the sound of her sister's voice. "Euphie?" Her voice was quiet and she didn't seem believe what she was hearing.

Her brother smiled wider than before, "I told you I would somehow get you to talk to them. I have both Cornelia and Euphemia on video call. It's not in person, but-" He was stopped by Nunnally holding her arms out to him and he happily obliged.

She squeezed him as hard as her small arms could, "Thank you. This . . . this is enough. I love you Lelou."

Seeing her brother be like this warmed Cornelia's heart. Perhaps the Lelouch she knew all those years ago wasn't as far down as she was afraid of after their talk. She caught a glimpse of him earlier, but it was only that. A glimpse. If it turns out he mostly only comes out for Nunnally that would still be enough.

The li Britannia and vi Britannia siblings ended up talking for nearly an hour before Nunnally was too tired to carry on.

Things had been so hectic for Lelouch over the last several days he had forgotten about the funeral. Perhaps it was fate that set the first training session with his subordinates on the same day as Clovis's funeral. Closure before he truly began walking down this path. This path of blood.

While his older brother was killed by his hand that doesn't mean those good memories with him no longer mattered. Lelouch would still grieve, but not for the man he killed in Shinjuku. Not the man who likely condoned experimentation on his accomplice just because of her immortality. Not the man who, out of fear, heartlessly ordered the deaths of dozens of innocent people. Never him.

He would grieve for the talented painter. For the sibling who was terrible at chess, but would play him anyway if only to pass the time. For the caring older brother who would carry both Nunnally and him back inside if they fell asleep in the garden. He would cry for Clover la Britannia.

Something he would have to do later as proven by his father. Lelouch glared at the screen and clenched his fists, "Tch. You've turned even your own son's funeral into an excuse to spout propaganda."

The touch of a small hand covering his surprised him and he looked over to find Nunnally reaching over. She said nothing at first before turning her head towards him, "This isn't right." Her eyebrows furrowed as she felt his sadness, "I'm glad you still mourn his death and I can't help but agree. This is not the time for such a speech."

Similar feelings were felt by scores of people in the world. Some of which were connected to each other through Lelouch and Nunnally. The Ashford heiress who watching with anger pointed at the emperor. The man who abandoned her closest friend and his sister. The man who represented why the imperial court got away with happily and ruthlessly destroying her family after the death of Lady Marianne. An event that has made her parents desperate enough to continually arrange marriage meetings for her.

The royal pair of sisters and the knight did not approve either. Believing this to be an injustice to Clovis no matter his mistakes. He was a prince and the emperor was his father. Their brother deserved more than propaganda from him at his funeral of all places.

The immortal witch just stared at the imposing form on the screen and wasn't surprised. Even so she couldn't help but shake her head in disapproval of this speech. "So this is your enemy. You have a hard road ahead Lelouch."

With the speech and funeral over Lelouch had only hours before he met with his subordinates as Zero. Thankfully there had been nothing to do yesterday and that allowed him to set things up. For now the training will not rely on too much physical work, but he knew in time he would need to incorporate it. Not just that, but, much to his chagrin, he would need to join in for at least part of it. As an effort to show that he would remain beside them through everything.

This free time before the meeting however was spent with Nunnally. Some of which was spent telling Sayoko more stories about Clovis when they were children. Something they had also done the day before while he was home. The hours passed quickly and soon he was forced to leave his sister's side again as he found his way to the warehouse and the base. Of course Lelouch couldn't go out in public in his Zero costume. So he needed to arrive early enough so the others don't see a Britannian entering their base.

Which is what led him to being there half an hour early after checking the camera feed to make sure no one else was there. He raised an eyebrow when not five minutes later Kallen walked in alone. "You're here early."

She apparently hadn't yet noticed him so she jumped a little when he spoke. Kallen looked at him and relaxed, "Oh. It's only you Zero." Obviously not calling him by name in case someone walked in. She remained standing in awkwardly before sitting down across from him. The awkward silence still hanging around. "So . . ."

"I apologize if what happened made you uncomfortable around me."

She blinked, "Huh? Oh no!" Kallen shook her head, "I should be the one to apologize. I lost my cool and cried on you."

"I didn't mind. I was kind of running on brotherly instinct when that happened. I've never liked seeing a girl cry and besides . . . I was the one who asked you about Naoto."

The red head smiled as she realized it hadn't just been her. He acted on instinct as if she were one of his sisters. Kallen didn't think she would mind having him for a surrogate brother. Not a replacement for Naoto, but someone to ease the pain. "Let's just say we're both at fault then."

Lelouch chuckled, "Fine. Why are you were so early anyway?"

"My stepmother was particularly bitchy today. Not that she's never not."

"Bad blood huh? I imagine your stepmother is a typical noblewoman your father married after Japan fell." They might have continued talking if the others hadn't started arriving. With the conversation derailed they waited until everyone showed up.

Euphemia stared at the paintings covering the walls around her, "Were all of these paintings done by my brother?"

The curator of Clovis's art museum stood behind her replied and almost instantly, "They were your highness."

"I see." She smiled sadly and gently ran a hand along the frame of one. The pinkette spoke solemnly, "What I thought were kind and gentle hands painted these beautiful pieces of art. What changed Clovis?" Her words and what she meant were lost on the man behind her.

With no better way to get there Lelouch drove the base to their destination. Didn't take long for him to pull up out the back and he made a quick call to give the voice command for the geass he put on the man inside. He grinned at the look on everyone's faces when they noticed where they were. "There's no way."

"You aren't seeing things. Our training will begin here at this high-end shooting range. I've paid the owner handsomely and he has let it slide so long as I also pay him for any ammo we use." That was partly true. He didn't pay him handsomely, but Lelouch did decide to at least reimburse the man for their usage of his ammo.

He laughed and walked in through the backdoor and waited for his subordinates to follow him in. "Is this all we'll be doing Zero?" It was Ohgi who had finally asked the question he was expecting.

"For now. We'll do more soon, but everyone here, myself included, would do well to practice our aiming. It is for the best that we don't waste more bullets than necessary in battle." Lelouch turned around and walked towards the armory and chose a simple pistol. He would practice with other weapons, but it is unlikely he would be using anything but a pistol outside of a knightmare frame. With his mask on he didn't need the earmuffs the others would.

Over the next several minutes Kallen and the others followed suit and chose a target. Lelouch offered an unseen grin beneath his mask before raising his gun and firing. A sound that soon echoed from several other gunshots at once.

"Guilford."

He stood to attention, "Yes princess?"

"You still have that information about Saitama don't you?" Cornelia knew she had to do something about the terrorists in that ghetto. She would just have to go about it in a different way if she was going to avoid a repeat of Shinjuku.

The knight blinked before nodding slowly, "I do, but I thought you weren't going through with that plan?"

She grimaced, "I'm not, but I want that information . . . and get me Warrant Officer Kururugi. I can't use him, but he might know an honorary Britannian loyal enough that is willing to do some dirty work." If a massacre was to be avoided then her only other option would be to send in a spy. Cornelia didn't like this kind of operation, but sometimes you had to do things you didn't like.

Lelouch and his subordinates spent two hours a day for nearly a week at that shooting range. So long that he was happy with everyone's aim. Even Tamaki's though that took a little patience. Even better they recently recruited two new members from the group in Saitama. He had requested that Ohgi and the others think of anyone they knew from there who would be able to listen to his orders and were competent.

They had come through with two interesting, but definitely competent people. Usagi Himekawa and Akira Watsuki. The former was a bubbly blonde young woman around his and Kallen's age. Despite her kind disposition and love with sweets she would do whatever it took to get Japan back. If only for her family though they were all killed in the war seven years earlier.

The latter was a man in his late twenties who, ironically enough, was doing this for his little sister. Their mother had died in the war, but their father died later about a year ago because of refrain. Lelouch gave him and his sister one of the safe houses he and Nunnally weren't using. Usagi was also rooming with them as it was easier than traveling to Shinjuku from Saitama every day.

This week Lelouch also took time to start teaching them hand signals he created just for their use. The goal is to become proficient enough to use them on a mission so they don't give away their positions by talking. Today's training however would be something new. He had set up a chess match with an arrogant nobleman connected to the company that had produced the latest knightmare practice simulators they used in the military. Lelouch purposely bet an enormous amount so his opponent would follow suit.

After he easily bested the noble he convinced him to get him three of those machines in place of the money. Though the group has more than three members they can take turns. Plus today he had other plans for Kallen and himself which means it will take less time to loop around.

Lelouch clapped to gather his subordinates round, "Today we are not going to the shooting range." He paused to let them do their sigh or cheer of relief. Seems they were glad to be doing something different. He moved over to where the machines were and grabbed the sheet he had put over them. With a simple pull it came off and the room was speechless.

Kallen was practically shaking in excitement because she recognized them immediately. "The newest knightmare simulators! How did you get these?!"

He chuckled, "I'm just that good. Though I'm sorry to tell you that you won't be using one today Kallen." She deflated, but he continued, "I need you to come with me for something important while everyone else takes turns using them." The idea that he needed her specifically for something seemed to cheer her up, but she was still unhappy. "Besides I saw you in that Glasgow. You are already an ace pilot as it is."

She quieted down in embarrassment, but was grinning from ear to ear. Ohgi frowned as he thought of Kallen being alone with Zero. Something he had noticed happening several times already, "I don't know . . ."

Kallen knew what he was thinking and scoffed, "Do you really think Zero could do anything to me? He's a twig and about as strong as one too."

"I'm working on that. Slowly perhaps, but working on it." Lelouch retorted which made Ohgi back down while everyone else began to laugh. He wasn't lying either as he had started going out to jog recently. The prince sighed, but let them enjoy themselves. In war you have to take what happy moments you get. His phone beeped and he pulled it out to see a message from their ride. "I trust all of you to act like adults and take turns properly. Kallen and I need to get going."

Once they were out of the warehouse she spoke, "Where are we going Lelouch?"

He just smiled, "It's a surprise." Sayoko was been waiting to pick them up and, in the spirit of keeping it a mystery, she wouldn't tell Kallen their destination either. The fiery girl was a quick learner though and simply stopped asking fairly quickly. Their ride was spent in a comfortable silence after Lelouch took off his mask and cape. It's not like Zero could be seen walking in public after all. Especially where they were heading.

The trip was short as Sayoko pulled into a driveway and Kallen looked at the home in front of her. She chortled, "What would Milly say if you she knew were taking a girl to your house."

Lelouch chuckled, "Milly would want pictures and all of the assumed naughty details." Her expression made him grin, "Though yes. I know you were joking, but this really is the home Nunnally, Sayoko, and I have been at for the last two weeks." He stepped out of the car as she stared blankly at that comment, but left his Zero accessories inside the vehicle.

It only took a moment for Kallen to follow his lead, "What do you mean we're at your house?! Why are we here? I thought I had something important to do!"

"You do." She looked at him in confusion and he made sure to continue before she got the wrong idea. "I want you to cheer up Nunnally. I haven't told her you are coming nor that you work with me."

"Why me?"

Lelouch acknowledged she had a good point, but his reasons were something he couldn't tell her yet. Not all of them at any rate, "Nunnally has only had Sayoko and I for company since we came here and she knows you. Considering I was already going to see you today . . ." He didn't continue that train of thought as she knew what he as saying.

Sayoko had already disappeared inside by the time they made it in. As they walked into the living room where Nunnally was he held a finger to his lips so she would be quiet. The young princess turned her head in their direction, "Is that you big brother? Who is that with you?"

He smiled as Kallen had a look of shock on her face. Wondering why the girl hadn't assumed she was Sayoko. "I'm home Nunnally." He kneeled down in front of her and lightly touched her arm, "And I have a surprise for you."

"Another one?"

The prince laughed, "Yes. Another one." He motioned for Kallen to do as he was.

Nunnally reached out her hand for her once she had kneeled down like Lelouch and, with some prodding from him, Kallen took it. Nunnally's eyebrows furrowed, "These hands seem familiar, but I can't place them."

Kallen blinked and answered, "It's Kallen." She couldn't deny how happy seeing Nunnally's face light up make her feel. The girl was refreshing and a joy to be around. Her presence made her feel at peace. It was strange, but not unwelcome.

"Kallen?" She wasn't sure why Milly hadn't visited first, but she would ask later. "So you are my surprise?"

Lelouch stood up and stretched, "I'm going to leave you girls alone. I think I'll grab a small snack and then head to my room to plan some stuff to do as Zero." He purposely said that to tell both of them that the other knows of his identity and giving them a starting point. "Tell me when you are ready to go home Kallen." He waved her off as he disappeared into the kitchen.

He didn't like leaving Nunnally alone with Kallen, but he knew she wouldn't do anything. They wouldn't have been able to really talk with him sitting there anyway. He hoped his sister might open up a little bit to Kallen about things that she might not to him. Things that probably involve Zero. Plus he wanted to see how well they got along.

Truthfully Lelouch wasn't doing any sort of planning for his alter-ego's activities. He was actually dozing on his bed. He wasn't tired enough to fall completely asleep, but it was enough for short moments of sleep between being awake. It just so happens that one of those sleeping moments was interrupted by a call on his phone.

Lelouch sat up and looked at the caller ID and was surprised to see it was from Milly. This broke their planned protocol should an escape have ever been needed. Though he assumed it was because the circumstances made this not too big a deal. Sighing he answered it, "Hello?"

"You picked up! I was almost sure you would have ignored it because I'm not supposed to call you and everything." At least she hadn't forgotten. "Glad you did though. I have something I want to ask you and I wasn't sure when you might check our messaging system next."

"What is it Milly?" He could only imagine what she had to ask him.

"Shirley, Nina, and I are going to Lake Kawaguchi this weekend-"

He stopped her there, "No. I'm too busy with my extracurricular activities." Never know when someone else might be listening in on the other side after all.

She pouted, "Fine . . . Can Nunnally come instead?" The blonde seemed to immediately love that idea as she spoke faster now, "That would be perfect! I'm sure she is getting tired of being around just you and Sayoko. Especially since I'm not there. We all know you don't know how to relax and have fun if I don't push you."

Lelouch wasn't even offended. If only because she was partially right that she was the main force for most of the fun he's had for the last seven years. Plus it wasn't the first time she had said that. "I don't know Milly."

"Please Lelou? I know it would mean as much to our friends as it would her."

He didn't say anything for a minute as he knew she brought up a valid point. Again. "Alright. Nunnally can go with you."

Author's Note 2: I knew this would change as I go. I feel like it has a few too many moving parts, but these are things I couldn't really postpone and I wanted more than just the conversation with Cornelia and Euphie to take place.

The ending isn't what I had intended, but I decided that doing what I wanted might hurt the flow of things. So instead of the girls already being on the train to the convention center I pushed it back a short ways. Also in case you are wondering Usagi Himekawa is based on Usagi Tsukino. But only based on her. She isn't actually the same character put into this story. I just the last name Himekawa because of the "Hime" part in it. A reference to her origins. Akira was just my own thing.

So far these chapters haven't been too action-packed, but I'm pleased to say that will start changing next chapter.