Author's Note: Welcome to chapter seven of A Blast From the Past. This chapter should go back down to a decent length. By that I mean somewhere between four and six thousand words. So I hope to get this one out before too long.

At this point the changes I've made will start affecting certain decisions and cause things that didn't happen originally. Though things like Narita will still occur with further changes made. Things are going well for Lelouch right now, but don't be fooled. That won't be the case for much longer.

Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass. If I did I probably wouldn't be writing this.

Stage 07
The Black Knights

Cornelia pushed through the crowd of hostages as she desperately searched for Euphemia. They found each other at the same time, but it was the pinkette who made the first move. Running towards Cornelia she wrapped her arms around her sister. Neither said a word as Cornelia chose that, at this moment, their positions as viceroy and sub-viceroy didn't matter. What did was that Euphemia was safe.

Cornelia smiled softly and held her close, "I'm so glad you're okay."

"It might be unorthodox, but we have Zero to thank for that." Euphie hesitated to mention it, but knew her sister wouldn't give her the third degree until later. "I talked to him. He is an . . . interesting man." Her older sister pulled away enough to be able to look at her, but didn't ask. The details could wait.

Grudgingly Cornelia nodded, "I'll let him off the hook. For now." Though he killed her brother Zero also saved her beloved sister . . . that made her pause as she suddenly remembered her long lost sister had been in there too. They were in a crowd however so she would need to approach this carefully. "Lulu called earlier."

Euphemia's eyes lit up and she smiled. Knowing what her sister was doing, "I held her for a little while. She," the pinkette felt a little choked up again and had the sudden intense desire to have Nunnally in her arms once more. She wanted to hold her for hours on end. Where they could, even if only in spirit, return to how things were seven years ago. "She was sweet, yet so small. Maybe we can find her? She should be with Milly and the others."

The viceroy hesitated to agree. She most certainly wanted to, but a hello is all they would be able do. As much as Cornelia wished to hold Nunnally like her sister did in the hotel it wasn't something they could chance. She knew what she should have said, but her mouth said another. "Okay. But we can't-"

"I know. As much as I wish otherwise. I know." Euphemia's smile was tinged with sadness, "But I just want to check on them."

The crowd didn't make it easy to spot them. There had easily been fifty people held hostage and combined with the media and military . . . it made singling out anyone, even a group of four, difficult. Luck was on their side because the crowd was starting to slowly thin out. Which allowed them to catch sight of the Ashford students. However as Euphemia began to speed up Cornelia's heart thudded with a terrible realization as she counted those present. It was only a trio.

Nunnally was missing.

Lelouch in his costume acted as calmly as he could as he made his way to his chosen room on the stolen yacht. Where he had asked Kallen to take his sister once she had been rescued. It took a concentrated effort to not run to her. He sent customary nods towards any of the Black Knights he would pass. For the sake of his secret identity they couldn't think he had a connection to Nunnally.

Which meant he couldn't outwardly act like the worried brother he was. Lelouch, after what had felt like the longest hallway he had ever walked down, was in front of his door. Glancing furtively side to side before slipping in quietly and locking the door. He breathed a deep sigh of relief as he looked over C.C. and towards his sister. Now back in a wheelchair proper.

"Big brother?"

Hearing her call him that again filled him with a euphoric joy. Nimbly taking off his mask and letting it clatter to the floor, forgotten, as his feet began to move. He trusted that Kallen would have told him of any injuries, but his mind wouldn't rest until he checked for himself. With that in mind Lelouch inspected her in those few moments before he reached her. Spotting none he swiftly swept her up into his arms.

His lips lifting into a tender smile even when she gave a small squeak in surprise. "I'm here. You're safe."

She could feel the jumble that was his emotions as he held her. It wasn't often she could feel the full force of his love for her. It wasn't that she ever doubted him, but rare is the circumstance where that love could be felt in its rawest form. It took the Nunnally's breath away every time without fail. The princess couldn't help but feel flattered.

His rage, worry, and grief weren't just for her this time, but she knew her presence had made those negative feelings fade away. Overpowered by his relief and sheer joy. Which she was happy about because even though they weren't at the forefront any more the intensity behind the rage scared her. It reminded Nunnally of the even rarer occurrence when she felt his anger towards their father. Not for the first time she was handed proof that, if she died, Lelouch could very well self-destruct.

Smiling she reached her arms around his neck into an embrace. "I am. All because I have the best big brother in the world," Nunnally turned her head and kissed his cheek. Giggling lightly at the embarrassment she could feel welling up inside him as she did. "Milly wants you to visit soon." Her smile faded some as she remembered what their friend had said. "I told her otherwise, but I think she might fear that you will blame her for getting me into this."

Lelouch blinked before chuckling softly, "Silly girl."

Nunnally giggled again, "You could never blame the woman you love after all."

He froze before his face involuntarily flushed a deep red. "I don't know what you're talking about. Who would love that pervert?"

"I approve of her."

"Nunnally!" Though he was thoroughly embarrassed he was glad she was feeling up to making jokes. Even if it was about his totally non-existent feelings for Milly. At least that was what he often told himself in an effort to not complicate things with the Ashford heiress. It was easier than admitting that he had been just as concerned about Milly's safety as he had Nunnally's earlier tonight. That thought however brought a much more urgent thought to mind. His sister needed a protector.

Both he and Sayoko could only do so much. Not to mention that he might have a use for Sayoko's capabilities as the Black Knights gain popularity. Neither of them could always be around. Had Cornelia and Euphemia never found them he would want Suzaku to do it, but they did. Plus he talks too easily as proven when he told their sisters about Lelouch's hatred of the emperor. Using him could very well backfire.

Hearing Nunnally sigh stopped his train of thought and he focused on her. "I don't know how much use I can be, but . . ." Her lips flattened as she took on an edge he rarely saw and in response he set her back down into her wheelchair. She faced him with an uncompromising expression even with her eyes closed as they were. "Lelouch. I wish to join the Black Knights."

He had no response to that. Even as she spoke his mind had come up with several dozen possibilities for what she wanted to say to him. That was not one of them. That was on the list of things he anticipated to never come out of her mouth. "W-what," he croaked out.

"I know I can't fight in a knightmare nor can I go out on the battlefield and shoot a gun." She paused for a moment and he could see the moment her resolve solidified. "I'm also not as intelligent as you are nor as savvy with strategy, but two heads are better than one."

"Nunnally . . ."

"You might overlook something or simply need someone to bounce ideas off of." Fists clenching, "If you are going to go so far for my sake then I will not remain uninvolved. I refuse to wait at home and dread the day I hear Zero has been killed over the radio or on TV."

Lelouch's eyebrows furrowed in dismay, but before he could even try to convince her otherwise his cell phone began to ring. Frowning he pulled it out to look at the caller id and sighed when he saw who it was. "It's Cornelia."

She tilted her head curiously, "She has your number?"

"Yeah. I talked to her in private the other week before getting you and Euphie. During that she gave me her number and I used it earlier tonight. To make sure she was aware you were in there. She wouldn't have made a move anyway thanks to Euphemia being in there of course, but knowing you were too was extra insurance."

"Aren't you going to answer it? It might be important."

Lelouch hesitated, but agreed with her. Accepting her call he was silent for a minute as Cornelia called him Lulu on the other end several times. Telling the prince that she was still out in public and had to watch her words. "Yes Cornelia?" He grimaced as she tried to interrogate him over the phone on how he found Zero at all let alone give him money. He knew she would probably find out sometime which is why he had Kallen tell his friends what she did. It is just that Lelouch hadn't expected it right away.

"I found him through the Shinjuku Resistance. Yes the same terrorists who fought Clovis in Shinjuku. It seems he's taken over and they are now the Black Knights." He sighed again and rubbed the back of his head, "I didn't tell you because we were both out of options and you know it. I refused to lose them."

His eyes widened, "They told you about that? Well . . . I suppose they had to. Don't worry about her. Nunnally's safe." Thankfully it seemed their sisters believed them when it came to Nunnally's own abilities. Though being skeptical is understandable. "Yes. I'm on the yacht with her. She's right in front of me."

"Okay. I'll let her talk to you, but first I need to tell you something else. Zero told me they were moving out of Shinjuku tonight to avoid someone else finding them as easily as I did. I figured I would tell you so you wouldn't invade Shinjuku later on to find him." After hearing her grudging acceptance of that fact he felt certain she wouldn't do anything. Not tonight at least. It would be her way of repaying Zero for what he did.

Lelouch handed Nunnally the phone and smiled slightly as her face lit up when she lifted the phone to an ear. "Big sister?" As they talked he went into the bathroom to change into something more casual. C.C. was here for a reason after all. While she plays Zero he will be taking Nunnally home.

That time alone will give him time to ask her something important. After all there was still one more person he believed he might be able to entrust Nunnally's safety to. He just had to know if his sister liked her.

"What do you mean she is on the yacht?!" Suzaku's head immediately turned towards the angry voice of the viceroy. Lloyd hadn't needed him any longer which is why he was out in the crowd. He started making his way towards Cornelia as he also heard Milly's own distinctive voice answer.

"I mean exactly what I said Viceroy. One of the members of the Black Knights approached us in the hotel and took Nunna with them onto the boat." Suzaku paled and pushed through the thinning crowd much more frantically. He finally stumbled out near them as Cornelia gave the blonde a thunderous glare.

He was honestly impressed by how steadfastly unfazed Milly seemed to be in the face of Cornelia's anger. The princess wasn't even looking at him and he was sweating. That wasn't something many could boast when it came to Cornelia. In fact Suzaku was pretty confident that the list was a very small one. Of course Euphemia was on an even smaller list. As shown when she lightly touched her sister's arm and it just took a look between the pair to calm the viceroy down.

The pinkette was the one who spoke, "Why did they take her?" Curious himself Suzaku made his presence known by walking into their line of sight. He nodded respectfully back at Shirley who said hello.

Milly smiled at her in thanks, "The Black Knight who approached us said that somehow Lelouch had found and paid them to ensure our safety."

Shirley, feeling like it needed to be said, piped up, "She did say they were planning on helping anyway though. Maybe they saw it as a good opportunity to introduce themselves."

"Lulu is a worrywart about his sister so I wouldn't be surprised if he was on the boat as well." The Ashford heiress bit her lip lightly, "Of course he probably also had them bring her to him so there was no chance that her face would be caught on camera. I did a good job of telling her to look away when I noticed them recording us, but out here it would have been next to impossible."

"Would he have been able to think that far ahead?" The li Britannia siblings knew their half-brother was almost frighteningly intelligent even as a child, but seven years can make all the difference. Their talk allowed Cornelia a look into how he thought, but nothing like what these girls would know. Which is why she asked.

Milly's eyebrows furrowed as she tried to think of a proper way to describe how Lelouch's brain worked. "Lulu . . . doesn't just think three or four steps ahead. He plans a dozen steps at a time while his brain simultaneously comes up with several different ways things can go in order of most likely. He is very good at reading people. Knows exactly what buttons to push, when to push them, and in what order.

Timidly Nina spoke though not without a nervous glance at Suzaku, "Milly's right. H-he was basically our coordinator for most everything during our festivals. Somehow able to keep t-track of it all. The only thing he can't account for were the pr-problems that came out of nowhere."

"Which is understandable," Cornelia admitted. She didn't know what to make of how they described his abilities. Frankly it reminded her a lot of Schneizel and she couldn't help but hope Lelouch wasn't an enemy. Nor would ever be. Because she knew her limits and she wasn't certain she could do much against someone like that. In fact she knew she couldn't. She was well aware of her own capabilities. Then again she realizes she may have no choice.

Not when, what little they've seen from him, Zero seems to be similar to her brothers. The reports and accounts from Shinjuku indicated there was likely a leadership change nearly an hour into the battle. The movements of the enemy suddenly shifted at that point. They hijacked a train full of Sutherlands though they shouldn't have been able to know what its cargo was. Then her brother was consistently outmatched with careful timing and planning despite changing the IFF signals multiple times. In fact if the Lancelot hadn't been there it would have turned out much worse.

Then there was tonight. Somehow Zero was fully aware of Euphemia being a hostage within the hotel though that information was kept on a need-to-know-only basis. Lelouch wouldn't have said anything as that would have required him explain how he could possibly know that. The masked man had even accurately guessed what she would do right down to her making use of the distraction he had embodied. The explosion that decimated the hotel had to of been his handy work which meant he was prepared for her. That or he just really liked blowing things up.

Cornelia also wasn't blind to the fact that the Lancelot was certainly the kind of unknown factor that Lelouch would have been unable to plan for. At the same time she refused to think that he was Zero. It reminded her too much of that nightmare. That's without also acknowledging that no one can truly plan for the unknown. Being prepared for it? Yes. Planning how to outmaneuver something you may not even know exists ahead of time? Can't be done. That's not a weakness exclusive to Lelouch.

Suzaku was of the same mind as the viceroy. He downright refused to believe Lelouch could be Zero. Though he had to admit that the brief meeting he had with the masked man . . . his words had reminded him a little of his best friend. Not to mention other evidence that suggests that he either was Zero or supporting him. One such piece being that Lelouch had trusted someone he supposedly didn't know to retrieve Nunnally. That isn't something he would normally do. "How do you know the Black Knight who took her was telling the truth?"

The gathered women looked at him and was surprised to find that the sisters and Milly hadn't seemed to fully notice him until now. Must have been too involved in what was being talked about to pay him much mind. "Warrant Officer Kururugi brings up a good point. Care to explain?" Cornelia centered a hard look back on Milly.

"Oh that's easy. Because Nunna trusted her."

Wait what. "Why?" That was the simultaneous reaction as the two princesses and Suzaku shared a look of utter confusion.

"This may sound strange to you, but Nunna gained a strange ability after the invasion. If she is touching your skin she will simply know how you feel. Can tell if you are lying or not as well." Milly looked at them with the utmost seriousness, "She doesn't read your mind or anything. We have come to the assumption that the loss of her sight strengthened her other senses in a way that allowed this. Of course we never mentioned it to any doctors for fear they may want to run tests or dive too deep in search of answers and discover their identities."

"That sounds-"

"Impossible? We know, but . . . she was never wrong either. The Black Knight purposefully let her hold an outstretched hand. That means Lulu told them about it. I trust it was the truth because I trust her abilities." Plus she knew Lelouch was Zero and probably used his Geass on the woman to ensure she would do nothing to Nunnally. Or gave her some excuse that she believed for one reason or another.

Euphemia blinked and her pink eyebrows furrowed. Muttering audibly, "That explains what she said . . ." That drew their attention to her and she realized she needed to explain. "When I first held Nunna she whispered that she loved me too. I didn't question it at the time, but I hadn't said anything to her yet. Let alone that I loved her."

"But you felt it and in return she felt your love for her."

Cornelia sighed, "It's not that I don't believe you Ms. Ashford, but frankly I would prefer to hear it from the horses mouth." She pulled out her phone and went to her contacts. When he refused to answer any of her return calls earlier tonight she added it. Making sure his name was under a pseudonym of course. "In any case I'm just going to call him."

That got her attention and, though Cornelia would never admit it, the stare the blonde teenager was giving her made her uncomfortable. Which was saying something considering the people she had faced down in her life. "You have his number?"

"Yes. He contacted Euphie and I through . . . unusual means the other week." As viceroy she most certainly wasn't about to admit that a teenager somehow hacked into their system. The fact it is possible and has been done can't be made public. Even accidentally. Just because Lelouch didn't try anything doesn't mean other less scrupulous parties won't. In fact she was considering hiring Earl Asplund to upgrade the system to prevent that.

"Apparently he promised Nunna that she could talk to us somehow and he refused to let that be a lie. I gave him my number then, but he used it for the first time tonight to tell me she was in the hotel. Likely to ensure an even greater level of carefulness from me." Cornelia's thumb hovered over the send call button and hesitated. She looked up to find that most people had migrated away from them and Guilford, bless his heart, was keeping the media away from them. Feeling much less like they might be spied on she pushed it.

Lifting the phone to her ear she heard it ring. Once, twice, but nothing. It wasn't until the fifth ring the phone picked up. She let out the breath she hadn't known she was holding. "Lulu?" She could hear slight breathing on the other end and it took a few more calls of his nickname to get an answer.

There was so much she needed to ask him. Many from tonight's events alone, but how to start? With questions about Nunnally? If he knew if she was safe or not? Or about Zero? But where to begin when it came to the masked man? She swallowed her concern for Nunnally and knew what she needed to ask.

"Your friends tell me that you paid Zero to ensure their safety. How did you find him? Why did you trust him to do as you asked just because you gave him money? How much did you pay him?"

Cornelia didn't really mean to blurt out so much at once, but she just needed to know. Hearing that the terrorists from Shinjuku now make up his Black Knights made a lot of sense. The kind that made her want to face-palm. By all rights they should have connected the dots and sent someone in to find them. Though she suspected that the Black Knights would be on the move soon so another person like Lelouch couldn't find them so easily.

Her eyes shifted from Euphemia to the girls from Ashford before remaining on Milly. "You're right. You simply did what you had to." In his position she probably would have done the same thing. To save her sister there is little she wouldn't do. For him he also had to worry about his friends. One of them being the woman he loves if the vibes she's gotten aren't wrong.

The princess was relieved to hear that he was on the boat with Nunnally. Which means, unless Zero did something, they are safe. She knew she probably shouldn't ask, but she just wanted to hear her little sister's voice. "Can I talk to her?" The fact he agreed made her happier than even she expected. Her smile shrank slightly when Lelouch confirmed her suspicions about Zero moving out of Shinjuku. There wasn't much she would be able to do . . . besides she owes him now and staying off his back for a time will repay that debt.

"Big sister?" Her mouth went dry as soon as Nunnally had called out to her from the phone. It's still hard to believe they are alive after all this time. Hiding in plain sight yet never found. She couldn't help wondering what might of happened if Clovis had discovered them. How different things might be.

As the viceroy talked to her sister Shirley was staring at Suzaku curiously. Or rather, to be more accurate, his clothes. She had noticed them when he first came up, but didn't know if she should bring it up. Now though it had been bothering her for a while. "What are you wearing Suzaku?"

"Eh?" He looked down to realize he was still in his white and gold piloting suit. "Well . . . you see . . ." Feeling flustered Suzaku wondered how he forgot to change out of it. He was pretty sure he isn't supposed to mention the Lancelot or that he pilots it.

When the orangette pointed it out Milly, for the first time, looked at his clothes. Her eyes widened as she realized what it was. She had a good idea why he had it on judging by the color scheme of the suit, but needed to know for sure. Lelouch would want to know the pilot of that advanced frame. The one she recognized from in front of the hotel thanks his description from Shinjuku. "Why are you wearing a knightmare piloting suit?"

That caught him off guard. He wasn't expecting one of them to know what it was. "I don't know if I'm allowed to say, but the cat's kind of out of the bag now . . ."

"He is the pilot of the Z-01 Lancelot from the ASEEC division. Has been since Shinjuku." Euphemia interrupted and sent him a smile. Clearly willing to let the blame fall to her if it turns out they shouldn't know about that.

Milly didn't let her confirmed suspicions show as she raised an eyebrow. "O-ho? Now she's the one helping you out of a tight spot. Do I see a budding romance growing before my eyes?" She grinned at the immediate flush from both teenagers.

Nina found herself unable to sleep as she laid in bed. So much had happened at the hotel. So she was left listening to her dorm roommate toss and turn. She couldn't help but admire Princess Euphemia and had since they first met. There was just something about her.

Tonight she proved she was brave and willing to give herself up for the sake of others. And she was beautiful. Nina flushed at that errant thought and shook it off. Though even the pinkette paled in comparison to Nunnally. Her angel. Despite her disabilities she stuck up for them. For her. Beyond that Nina was aware that young paraplegic didn't like others to take notice of her handicaps. Even so she used them to save their lives.

If only there was something she could do for her. Some way Nina could help her. She would do anything so long as it was in her capabilities. She tried to ignore the heat coiling in her body as she thought of the princess's small, lithe body. Or how it might feel to press herself against her. No. That was wrong. She shouldn't have such thoughts about her angel.

How could she ever gather the courage to approach Nunnally? What help could she be?

A loud crash from outside the room woke Kallen up. She blearily tried to shield her eyes from the light filtering through her window. Raising an arm to cover her bare chest as she almost stumbles out of bed. She stepped out of her door covered with a pink bathrobe to find her mother on the floor and a step on the ladder broken. "Again?"

"I'm sorry if I woke you Mistress Kallen."

Her stomach knotted up as she looked at the woman in front of her. This woman who raised her that was now calling her mistress. Perhaps if only out of habit she replied gruffly, "It's fine. I need to get to school anyway."

Ms. Kōzuki smiled at her daughter, "You've been going to school a lot lately, Mistress Kallen. Have you made some friends?"

Kallen said nothing and stared at her mother. This was the perfect opportunity to start making up for everything. Show her mother she never stopped caring. She never imagined it would be so hard though. After a minute she sighed and owned up to her mistakes, "I have . . . mom." The effect it had on the maid was immediately visible and it made her heart clench.

She kneeled down and gently put a hand on hers. Trying hard to not start crying with her mother. "I don't have much time to talk, but," the fiery teen bit her lip as she considered her next words. "I want to apologize. I want to make sure you know that I never once stopped-" she was cut off by her mother bringing her into a bone-crushing hug. Kallen reached her own arms around her and let the woman cry on her shoulder.

"Not once did I stop loving you. I just wanted to try to force you to leave. To find some place you could be happy. Not here where you are constantly reminded of the man who jilted you."

Scoffing Ms. Kōzuki pulled away to face her only daughter and shook her head, "Mis- I mean Kallen dear. I'm not still here because of him. I'm here for you. I always have been and always will be."

The color left Kallen's face as she realized just how wrong her assumption had been. She could only imagine how badly she hurt her mother now. Her very reason for staying had made it seem like she only resented and and hated her. Pulling the other woman close again in an even tighter hug she let her own tears fall. "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. "

They stayed like that for nearly five minutes with little else spoken other than several more repeated sorry's. Ms. Kōzuki gently petting her daughter's head, "I think you need to get ready now Kallen. Please go to school and be happy. I'm so glad you can live a better life."

Hesitantly she let go and stood up while wiping her now red-rimmed eyes. Gulping she nodded, "I'll talk to you later. Okay mom?"

Her daughter had been changing lately. She wanted to know if there was someone behind it. If there was a bigger reason other than her finding friends. Maybe there was a boy involved? Could her Kallen have fallen in love? Hoping she would tell her in her own time Ms. Kōzuki smiled. "I'll be here."

Kallen gently closed the door behind her and leaned against it. Letting more tears fall, "I looked down on you for so long because of an assumption. It seems I was the real fool in all this."

"Will you be alright while I'm in the EU, Euphie?" The Witch of Britannia looked at her sister tenderly not far from her plane.

Smiling softly Euphemia nodded, "I will. Please don't worry about me. Just come back when you can. If I need anything I can ask Darlton."

Cornelia would prefer to take Darlton with her as well as it would speed things up. She didn't want to leave her sister here on her own for long. However she promised Kotaro he wouldn't be in the Yamato Alliance for long and he sent along the information they needed two days ago. The hotel incident and the request for her help on the EU front meant she can't head the operation herself.

Andreas was a trusted friend and colleague who would handle the mission well. Not to mention would actually make it his priority to pull Kotaro out of there safely. The Honorary Britannian had performed in this job spectacularly and deserved the rewards she promised him. "I'm sorry that I have to leave so soon after what happened."

"It's fine sister." Euphie gently soothed her concerns, "I don't believe Zero is going to target me." Thinking of him only reminded her of what happened during the weekend. Of what else he had told her before escorting her to a life boat.

"No. That too was my doing."

Her eyes widened in shock at his blatant admittance to his deed. She had expected him to try to hide it a little bit at least. Euphemia wonder what Kusakabe had done to make Zero so angry. Those wounds didn't come from anything but the desire to maim. "Why?"

"He was a fool. If you hadn't been in here Cornelia would have just destroyed the hotel and been done with it. She has done so many times in response to others who believed she would try to bargain with them." Lelouch scowled beneath his mask as that would have meant the loss of everything important to him. Again.

Deftly reaching into his pocket he pulled out the silencer, "These are wonderfully useful for not alerting people to gunfire. Kusakabe told me he did this to 'remind the world that the Japanese aren't dead'. How short-sighted."

Does that mean Zero had other plans? Desires that went beyond liberating Japan? "Then why are YOU doing this?"

He didn't speak for several moments until he was pocketing the silencer again. "I'm here at the hotel because I intended to end Kusakabe's plan and I have. The Britannians here are not the people he should have targeted." Lelouch stared intently at his sister through the mask while choosing his words carefully. "What he did was no better than what Clovis did in Shinjuku."

"Though I suppose you mean why I have donned this mask?" At her hesitant nod he continued, "Believe it or not I have people I wish to protect and for that my face must remain hidden. At least for now."

Euphemia wondered why, if there are those he wants to protect, that he must do this at all. Surely there was a way without the bloodshed. It was a question she knew wouldn't, or rather couldn't, be answered until she knew his identity. "Then why do you have to wage more war? Won't that make them unhappy if you die?"

"I don't like this any more than you do, princess." Lelouch admitted softly, "But it is the only real choice I have."

She flinched at the resignation in Zero's tone and she wondered just what could leave terrorism as his only choice. Though perhaps it would be more accurate to say the only choice he can accept. "B-but why?!"

Silence filled the space between them after her outburst and she fidgeted uncomfortably. As the silence became unbearable Lelouch spoke, "Did you know that much of the court hated the now-late Lady Marianne?" Her eyes widened at the unexpected mention of the dead empress. "Despite having been the Knight of Two before marrying the emperor many looked down on her because she was originally a commoner."

He tiptoed mindfully around his phrasing so as to not implicate himself, "You were just a little girl back then I believe. So it is okay if you didn't notice or understand at the time. I've heard that her children were looked down on even worse in some circles. There were nobles, even those among the royal family, that believed the mix of common and royal blood in their veins were blasphemy. As though just for their blood they were a stain on the imperial line."

Princess Euphemia swallowed as his words brought back memories of her childhood. Such as their half-sister Carine speaking cruel words to Nunnally that she had learned from her mother. What Zero was saying now had that incident making more sense than she wanted it to. But what did this have to do with anything she asked him?

Unable to help it his passion seeped into his next words, "How can those I love ever be happy in a country that even looks down on it's common people? Britannia, much like Kusakabe here, only seek to make the strong stronger and the weak weaker. When it should be the duty of the strong to protect the weak! Give them a chance to become strong themselves if they so desire!"

Her heart leapt in agreement, but she hesitated to show that. Taking a breath she shoved that away and smiled hopefully, "Then surely I can do something to help? So you don't have to fight."

"Unfortunately you would only get yourself hurt or worse, princess." Lelouch didn't want one of the only members of his family that he cared for to be lost to political intrigue. He would never forgive himself. "I've heard about you and your kind heart, however you need to realize something. If the nobility can't accept a commoner, who was a knight of the round before becoming an imperial consort, then why would they let you change the status quo?"

Euphemia's smile vanished as she let that sink in, "But-"

"They would sooner kill you." She stepped back at his serious tone, "Much as I suspect they killed the empress. I have no proof of that, but the Aries Villa is much too close to the palace for mere terrorists to get anywhere close to it. Not without help."

Lelouch continued coldly even as she paled at his implications, "I know you mean well, but it is time to wake up to the kind of country Britannia is. Say or do the wrong thing and your status as a princess will mean nothing to them. It is best you learn that now before it is too late. I doubt your sister would ever stop blaming herself if your naivety got you killed."

Euphie's eyes shimmered with unshed tears even as bowed her head in acceptance.

"My end goal isn't just to free Japan. After I have succeeded in doing so I will come for your father." His loathing in his voice for the emperor was noticeable even with the mask, "For the sake of a better world and those I care for . . . I will do what is necessary."

She hadn't gotten much sleep since because of his words. Euphie had been forced to come terms with the truth she had tried to deny for years. Always wanting to believe the best of people and her sister let her. Maybe, looking back, that had been the wrong choice. "Nor do I plan on leaving the administration building for a while." Her country was filled with terrible people who only cared about money and power. People who would do anything to get and keep it.

It made her sad to admit.

"Good. Reports are already coming in that his stunt has emboldened some. All I ask is that you are careful. When I come back I'll get back to work clearing this area of terrorists. Starting with the JLF." Cornelia smiled and laid an hand on the pinkette's shoulder, "When Area 11 is safe I'll be leaving it in your hands."

Euphemia had known that, but her sister never outright said it until now. The idea of becoming viceroy and having to deal with all its pressures was intimidating. Incredibly so. Though hopefully she would do a much better job than her brother. "You be careful too Cornelia."

Lelouch would never admit it, but the rest of the weekend had felt like it would never end. It was Monday now. He wanted nothing more to visit his friends to ensure they were fine. Though perhaps the only thing that stopped him was how pissed he was at Nina. His sister hadn't been all that forthcoming with every detail at first, but it just took some plying. He never begged no matter what Nunnally might say.

He wasn't ashamed of his methods because it allowed him to learn of Nina's panic attack. A freak out that almost cost herself, Shirley and Milly their lives. Which was something he would not allow to be repeated. His left eye burned with his Geass as he pushed Nunnally towards the student council room. Activated because of his anger.

Forcing himself to take a deep breath he released the power. Another thing he would never admit is that he was mostly concerned about a particular blonde and couldn't wait to see her. Despite the fact it had been even longer since he had seen the others. Though even his thoughts of Milly were driven from his mind as they entered the room. Lelouch stared blankly as he saw a struggling Rivalz tied to a chair as they drew whiskers on him and the other, minus Milly who wasn't in the room, were in cat outfits.

"Should we come back later?"

Shirley seemed to freeze as she drew the last whisker as she recognized his voice immediately. Rivalz looked up and grinned, "Lelouch! Nunnally!" He looked down at the ropes then back up, "Could you help a guy out?"

Turning around the orangette's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she looked at the boy she lo-liked. The boy she had thought she knew well, but was proven wrong. Voice wavering, "Lulu."

He sighed, "I'm sorry for lying to you for so long Shirley." Smiling awkwardly, but giving it a real try as he stepped out beside Nunnally's wheelchair. "Can you forgive us?" Her shoulders were quivering, but as she began to move towards him he felt a familiar pair of arms wrap around his waist from behind. Eyes widening in surprise that was mirrored by Shirley.

Lelouch's body tensed with the unexpected contact, but almost immediately relaxed. The world falling away and leaving only himself and Milly. Gently he placed his hands over hers and smiled. Able to feel what had to be tears staining the back of his shirt. A joking tone to his voice, "You just can't plan some kind of get-together without something going wrong can you? I had to come in and save you like always."

She gave a watery, muffled laugh, "One of these days I'll be the one to save you. It's so embarrassing to be saved by a prince so scrawny that a marshmallow could beat him in a fight."

"Hey now! You promised to never talk about that again."

More laughter, "Since when do I play fair?"

As they began to banter back and fourth Nunnally rolled herself over to where she heard Shirley before. "They're off in their own little world again. They rarely get like this around other people. He was worried about her."

In quiet voice Shirley asked, "Do they do this often when we're not around?" She needed to know. Because the look on Lelouch's face right now was making her heart break. It wasn't a smile she had seen him have before. Not even towards Nunnally. For good reason because it reminded her of the look her parents had when they thought they were alone.

It was the look of someone deeply in love. It was on her Lulu's face and was clearly meant for their president. For that matter she had never heard Milly laugh like that either. It was soft yet also infectiously bright. She remembered how Milly fondled her as Nunnally talked about her and Lelouch on the train. It was as if . . . as if it was timed just right to get them off the topic. Her brain went into immediate denial and refused to believe what her heart was saying. "How did I never notice?"

Nunnally only gave her a sad smile, "They've hid how close they really are from all of you because it would have made people ask questions. Made them insinuate things that before we were found could have never been. Even now that status is questionable."

Rivalz hadn't been blind to what was going on either. Hearing the small girl's words made him realize he never stood a chance at winning Milly's heart.

"Why do you say they may never happen? Even I can see . . . it." Shirley couldn't bear calling it love aloud despite that being what it was. There had to be a reason for why Milly had pushed her towards Lelouch all this time despite so clearly loving him. She wasn't a cruel person.

The disabled girl said nothing for a few moments and just listened to the conversation coming from her brother and Milly. "Milly's parents have several times in the past tried to set her up with an arranged marriage because they desperately want to be nobility again. Something that neither Milly herself nor the principal care about."

"And Lelouch had planned on disappearing with me after I graduated so we wouldn't be discovered. Because neither of us want to return to Britannia. At least not as it is. Maybe if it changes. However people would notice that Milly Ashford had a 'commoner' boyfriend. Her parents would try to force us to return to the family so Milly could marry into the royal family proper. Nobles would dig into our history to discover more about us. The Ashford's can falsify only so much . . ." She reached up and gently took Shirley's cat paw. Though not understanding why the orangette was wearing it she smiled gently at her.

"I like her. And you too. You still have a chance. Maybe not a great one because of our newer circumstances, but still a chance. He does care about you. Maybe not fully in the way you want, but time could fix that."

Shirley tried to smile and almost succeeded, "Thanks Nunna, but . . . we both know I ran out of time when you two were forced to leave school."

"I'll always consider you a honorary sister, Shirley."

Surprisingly the orangette wasn't crying. It was a near thing, but she would hold it back. At least until she was alone and the visit was over. Squeezing her hand, "I love you too Nunnally."

Unbeknownst to all present Nina was surreptitiously looking at the sandy brunette. The look on her face slowly making it seem like she was actually trying to undress her with her eyes. Then as if she realized what she was doing she blushed horribly and forced herself to face the computer. Refusing to look back on the girl she had started to call her angel.

"What is up with the outfits anyway?" Milly and Lelouch had had the decency to be embarrassed when they remembered where they were. Both feeling the awkwardness present now, but neither knowing how to address it. So instead he opted to change the subject completely in hopes it would lighten the mood.

A familiar Honorary Britannian was the first one to speak, "It was the president's idea. It's to celebrate Arthur becoming the official student council pet."

"Arthur?"

A yelp of pain from Suzaku answered his question as a cat bit down on his hand. The boy's eyebrow twitching as he lifted his hand up while the cat held on. "This is Arthur."

Nunnally began to giggle when Arthur let go, fell on his feet, and meowed. "Cats still don't like you much do they? I remember Lelouch telling me how often you had to run from them when we were children. I wish I could have seen that."

He grumbled in response and sent a look at the prince. "You promised me that you only told her about one of those encounters."

Shrugging Lelouch grinned, "It's good to see you too, Suzaku." His eyes shining mischievously as he slyly continued, "Besides I only told her the cat stories. I could have mention the time you were chased down by a pack of tanooki while you were-" Interrupting himself with his laughter when he caught sight of his friend's shudder. "Animals in general don't like you for some reason."

"So having a Bring-Your-Pet-To-School Day would be a bad thing while he's here?"

Suzaku's eyes widened to a comical level and he shivered uncontrollably at that notion. Remembering how at Zoo's tigers would try, and fail, to get out of the pen and at him. That elephants had more than once sprayed him with water from their trunks. Gorillas attempting to bend the bars of their cages. "Only if you want me to survive the day."

Lelouch while laughing caught sight of the cat suit-wearing Nina at her computer and his good mood evaporated. "Suzaku. Visit with Nunnally. I know she has missed you a lot."

"Big brother!" Nunnally hid her face in her hands to hide her blush.

The raven-haired teen teased, "We both can play at this game."

She huffed only for her face to burn darker as Suzaku, ever the clueless wonder, took her hand. Clearly doing it because he knew it was how she preferred to talk to people. Before the invasion it just kept her calm as she adjusted to being unable to see or walk. Now though it seems that, while she still prefers it, it is because she can tell if the person how a person is feeling. Smiling, "It's great to see you again Nunnally."

Seeing the young girl more embarrassed than she ever had before was amusing to no end. Almost enough so for Milly to miss Lelouch walk towards Nina with a furious expression on his face. Almost. Clearly Nunnally had told him what occurred at the hotel. She hoped he wouldn't do anything drastic. Carefully the blonde moved into hearing range.

A tight-lipped smile appeared on his face as he approached her, "Hey Nina."

Timidly she looked over with a smile, but even she could tell there was something off about him. "It's good to see you again Lelouch." Then, in an action he found curious, her eyes darted over towards his sister with a light blush before she seemed to force her focus onto him. "And Nunnally."

"Yes well . . . I would like to say the same thing, but I can't."

Suddenly it felt as if she was dipped into a lake of freezing water as she looked into his eyes. They were angry, but it was as if he had went past that of boiling rage. It felt hard to breath as his icy anger focused on her. The resident genius swallowed audibly. "W-what?"

"You endangered them and yourself. Your xenophobia has been tolerated up til now, but I can't allow this to be repeated."

Lelouch had never really scared her before, but he was now. This look was much more terrifying than elevens had ever been. "L-Lelou-," she never finished saying his name as she suddenly found herself entranced by his left eye. It was glowing an unnatural red.

"I think it is time that you become more willing to be cured of your extreme xenophobia. Something we, your friends, will succeed in doing after three months."

Author's Note 2: Well this came out much longer than intended. Had to end this sooner than I wanted to ensure it wouldn't be 9,000+ words. Still a good place to end it at least. At least that tells me how the next chapter will start. Which will hopefully be out some time this month as well.

On a separate note. Why do genderbent Lelouch stories name him Leloucia or Luluko? For former is better, but still just doesn't sound right. The latter is using a Japanese way of naming because of the 'ko' on the end. Stick with Lelouch or, if you want a proper girl sounding name, make it Lucia. Just takes a few letters out of Leloucia and is a decent name choice. A bit short compared to a lot of the names of royalty in the series, but still dignified sounding enough to work.