I do not own these series, nor do I make any money off of this.

"talking"

'thinking'

Chapter 83: An Alarming Start

The moment Naruto and Sasuke arrived in this world, they were forced to duck behind a large truck. Bombs were being dropped around them. Sasuke's Mangekyo Sharingan was activated and his Susano surrounded them. Naruto added some of his chakra to reinforce the purple beast. Dust and debris covered the area, making it hard to see things around them. Naruto was about to use his wind to clear the area, but Sasuke put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. He then pointed towards a building. Naruto nodded. Naruto blushed as Sasuke made him put his arms around Sasuke's neck. Sasuke lifted him up, keeping the Susano around them as he ran into the building. No one was inside. He continued to carry Naruto through the building and to an elevator. Naruto pressed the button to allow the elevator doors to open. Sasuke stepped into it just as a bomb went off overhead. He pressed Naruto closer to himself as the elevator shook.

When the shaking stopped, Sasuke pulled back a little and looked up. Naruto's eyes followed his. "I don't think this place is going to remain standing much longer. We need to leave."

"Where can we…" Naruto began. The elevator shook again and then it began to drop. Naruto gasped as he heard something snap. Sasuke fell backwards, pulling Naruto even closer to him. The elevator began to fall. A few seconds later, it slammed into the pit. Sasuke let out a groan of pain as a piece of the elevator hit his back. The top of the elevator began to fall down, but the Susano protected them. The pieces fell around them, coating the area in a mix of wood and metal. Naruto pushed himself backwards and coughed as everything settled around them. "It looks like it stopped. Sasuke, we're…" He looked down at Sasuke and his eyes widened. "Sasuke?"

Sasuke coughed, a little blood coming from his mouth. He cursed. "It looks like Susano wasn't able to protect us completely." Naruto instantly jumped off of Sasuke. The raven carefully sat up. "I'm ok. My back hurts though."

"You're bleeding," Naruto said.

"I think I bit my tongue," Sasuke said. He stuck it out to show the cut he had.

Naruto nodded. He helped Sasuke up and he turned him around. Naruto ripped apart Sasuke's shirt so he'd have access to his back. He then ran a chakra covered hand over his back, healing him. Naruto really wished Sakura was there to heal Sasuke correctly, but what he did was good enough first aid for now. They'd have to give it another look later, but for now, getting out of there was their priority. Naruto turned towards the elevator door. None of the buttons worked, which didn't surprise him. This meant they'd have to break through it. "Sasuke, I want you to use Chidori to blast through the door. "I'll use a chakra arm to keep anything from falling down on us."

"I can just use Susano again," Sasuke said.

"No," Naruto shook his head. "We shouldn't use so much chakra just in case we need it later." He raised a finger to his lips. "Maybe I can just use Sage Mode to blast our way through. But that might cause something to fall on us. Still...I'll try that." He sat down and closed his eyes. When Sage Mode activated, Naruto stood up and walked over to the elevator door. He pressed his fingers in between the doors and began to push them apart. He got them to be separated enough for them to squeeze through. It didn't look like there was anything likely to fall on their heads. "Let's go." Naruto grabbed Sasuke's hand and pulled him out of the elevator. He took in the area they were now in. It was some underground passageway.

"Naruto," Sasuke called. "We should use a map. Maybe it will tell us how to get out of here."

Naruto nodded. He let Sasuke go, swung his backpack around, and pulled out his map. 'I really should just keep this thing out.' He whispered the necessary words to make the map work. As the ink worked its way over the parchment, Naruto smiled. "It looks like there are a few ways out. Should we go out the one closest to us?"

"No, I bet the bombs destroyed more of the area above," Sasuke said. "We may have to go all the way until we reach the end." He looked over Naruto's shoulder. "The real question is do we go left or right?"

Naruto closed his eyes. "Right."

-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-

Lelouch cursed as he stepped out of his nightmare. Things hadn't gone as planned. They had chosen to bomb the area, killing several civilians. Britannia really didn't care how many people died to stop Zero. They were rotten. He clenched his fists as he made his way inside of the Black Knights' hideout. C.C. welcomed him back but he ignored her. He sat down on the couch, removing his mask. He sighed. His phone began to ring and he smiled at the name on the phone. Bringing it to his ear he said, "Hello, Shirley."

-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-

Naruto and Sasuke stopped to take a break. They ate some food and drank some water. Once their break was over, they continued their way out of the underground. They stopped near a ladder and debated whether or not to go up the ladder or to break open the grate a few feet away. It led to the ocean. Naruto went up the ladder and moved the manhole lid to take a peak. It looked like the bombing was completely done. Not wanting to travel around the rocky area near the ocean, Naruto pushed the manhole lid aside. Sasuke followed him out. Naruto put the lid back. The next question was, where should they go now?

-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-

Lelouch walked around the shopping mall, looking for things on the list the student council had given him. "Milly sure wants a lot of things. Just what is she planning now?"

"Don't you know?" Rivalz asked. "We've been talking about it for over a month now."

"I've had a lot on my mind lately," Lelouch said.

"Oh?" Rivalz smirked. "Planning your next date with Shirley? Or is it Kallen that's caught your fancy?"

"Really Rivalz?" Lelouch asked. "Are girls the only thing on your mind?"

"Better than always thinking about some strange trivia, chess, or something," Rivalz pouted.

"You know, if you really like Milly, you should just tell her."

"W-who says I l-like Madam President?" Lelouch gave him a look. "Fine, I do. But at least I've chosen someone. What about you?"

Lelouch looked at the sky. "There was only one woman I've ever loved. Besides, I don't have time for love."

"Just what is it that has all of your attention?"

"Hmm…" He took another step forward, making it clear that the conversation was over.

-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-

Suzaku sat by Cecile working on his homework. He wasn't getting much done as his mind was somewhere else. He kept thinking about the festival Milly was planning. There was going to be a couples' dance. Several people had asked him to go with them, much to his surprise. He wondered if it had anything to do with him becoming a Knight of the Round. The truth was that he honestly didn't care about the festival, but he didn't know how to turn down all of those girls.

"What's wrong Suzaku?" Cecile asked. Suzaku looked at her. "I told you that you could ask me anything."

"Well… there is this festival at school coming up and…" Suzaku began. "A few girls asked me to go with them."

"But you want to turn them down," Cecile said. "You need to be honest and…"

"Just tell them you're on duty that day," Lloyd said.

"You shouldn't lie," Cecile argued. "Just tell them the truth. You have to be honest with your feelings."

"I just shouldn't go," Suzaku said. "Who knows when this Zero copycat will appear again."

"I think you should go," Cecile said. "Maybe just ask someone to go with you? I'm sure Anya would go with you. Or maybe another member of your student council?"

"No," Suzaku said. "There has only even been one woman that I've loved. I won't lead someone else on."

"Princess Euphemia would want you to move on," Cecile said.

Suzaku shook his head. "I won't give my heart to another woman ever again."

-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-

Naruto and Sasuke chose to leave the area, just in case the bombers came back. Using Naruto's map, they made their way to the area with the most people. Sasuke was hesitant to be around people, but when Naruto brought up the argument that they'd be safer around others, Sasuke had to agree. A group of kids knocked into Naruto, glaring at him. "Filthy Elevens," one of them said. The others stuck out their tongue before running away. Naruto ignored it since he was used to such things. Sasuke on the other hand glared after them.

Naruto leaned down and picked up what looked to be a flyer. "A festival?" He showed it to Sasuke. "Looks like there is going to be a festival sometime soon. Too bad we won't be able to go." Sasuke only nodded.

They continued walking until they saw what looked to be a hotel. Entering the hotel, they walked over to the clerk. She took one look at them and made a face. "Elevens are not welcomed here."

"Elevens?" Naruto asked. "We're not…"

"Seriously?" Lelouch said. "Since when did this hotel start being prejudice?"

"What?" the clerk looked up at Lelouch. "A student?"

"It looks like choosing this place was a mistake," Lelouch said.

"Sir, please," the clerk tried.

Lelouch turned towards Naruto and Sasuke. "I'm sorry that my fellow Britannian has insulted you. She clearly doesn't know that you're from the EU. Allow me to bring you somewhere else."

"The EU?" the clerk asked in surprise. "Wait!" Lelouch led Naruto and Sasuke out of the hotel, ignoring the clerk calling after them.

"That hotel," Lelouch said. "It's not as good as it pretends to be."

"Why did you defend us?" Naruto asked.

"I'm sick of hearing such things," Lelouch said. "Besides, you don't look like your average Eleven." He motioned to Naruto and Sasuke's clothes. "You look like you're not from around here. So, tell me, who are you really?"

"My name is Naruto and this is Sasuke," Naruto said.

"Hmm…" Lelouch said. "Those names do sound Japanese."

"I am half," Naruto lied. "Mother was Japanese."

'Like Kallen,' Lelouch thought. 'If she was here, what would she…'

"Hey Lelouch!" Rivalz called from his motorbike. "What's going on?"

"This hotel isn't good," Lelouch said. "We should just have the after party in the council building."

"Madam President wanted a bigger place," Rivalz said, walking towards the group. "What's wrong with…" He looked over at Naruto and Sasuke, eyeing them up and down. "Oh." He put a hand on his hip. "Is that why?" He crossed his arms. "I can understand the fear us Britannians have of Elevens due to Zero and the Black Knights, but seriously? This guy looks a bit like Madam President, just more tan." He motioned towards Naruto, before turning towards him. "Hey! You don't happen to be Madam President's cousin or something, are you?"

"Actually," Lelouch interrupted. "I think he's Gino's cousin."

"Ah!" Rivalz punched his other hand. "That makes more sense. You have the same eye color." He then turned slightly to face Sasuke. "Are you his servant then?"

"Rivalz, I think it would be best if we help them find a place to stay," Lelouch interrupted. "They look tired."

"Right," Rivalz said. "Madam President wouldn't want something to happen to Gino's guests." He hopped down the stairs, back to his bike. "The school isn't far from here." He began to walk the bike down the street.

Lelouch nearly rolled his eyes. "Just drive it to school. I'll walk with them." Rivalz nodded before getting on his bike, driving off.

"You covered for us again," Naruto stated.

"I don't know if what I said is really a lie though," Lelouch admitted. "You could very well be Gino's cousin. I'm sure you aren't a member of the Ashford Family though."

"I'm not," Naruto said.

"It doesn't really matter," Lelocuh said. "The moment Rivalz saw you, or perhaps the moment you were kicked out of that hotel, it became my duty to bring you to safety. Milly and the others wouldn't have it any other way." Lelouch knew that the real reason he felt like helping them out was partially for Kallen's sake. But the darker part of him saw the opportunity to use them.

Naruto accepted Lelouch's reasons. When Lelouch's back was turned, however, he gave Sasuke a look. The raven seemed to not fully trust Lelouch and Naruto couldn't blame him. In truth, Sasuke felt like he had seen Lelouch before, but that made no sense. He decided to put that thought in the back of his mind. Naruto and Sasuke continued to follow Lelouch until they arrived at a giant school. It was obvious that Rivalz had gone ahead and informed Milly about Naruto and Sasuke, for the entire student council was standing at the entrance to the school.

"Well hello there," Milly said. "Welcome to Ashford Academy. I'm glad you could make it to our festival!"

"Thank you for inviting us," Naruto said.

"So you two need a place to stay?" Shirley asked. "I'm sure Lelouch and Rolo wouldn't mind putting you up for a few days."

"I don't mind big brother," Rolo said. He grabbed Lelouch's arm and leaned towards him. "Should I kill them?" He whispered. Lelouch just gave a look and Rolo backed off, smiling.

"If it isn't too much of a burden," Naruto began.

"Oh hush now," Milly said. "I've already welcomed you here. Now we should just go and get you set up. It looks like you need to wash up." She cheerfully started to head towards the student council building. Everyone easily followed after her. Once they got to the building, they saw someone standing there, looking like he wasn't sure if it was ok to go in. "Suzaku!" Milly ran up to him, grabbing his arm. "It's been awhile."

"Yeah," Suzuki said. "I've been… busy." He looked over at Naruto and Sasuke. "New students?"

"Actually, they're…" Milly began.

"Something like that," Lelouch interrupted. Everyone turned to look at him. "Hello Suzaku."

"Lelouch," Suzaku said. There was a little bit to his voice that only Naruto and Sasuke seemed to pick up on. In truth, Lelouch and Rolo did too, but they were used to it.

"Did you come to join us at the festival?" Shirley asked.

"No," Suzaku said. "I came here to drop off the homework for the past week."

Rivalz slapped Suzaku's shoulder. "You should really come by more often. We miss you buddy!"

"I agree," Lelouch said. "School has been a bit boring without the great Suzaku of the Knights of the Round."

"I…" Suzaku began, but he was at a loss for words.

"Why don't we go inside," Shirley said. "Suzaku, why don't you join us?"

"Shirley's right," Milly said. "Let's go inside."

"I don't…" Suzaku tried.

Rivalz grabbed his arm and started to pull him towards the door. "Come on. Don't be a downer." Suzaku threw a look over his shoulder at Lelouch as if he was begging him for help. Lelouch simply chuckled before following after them. With one last look at each other, Naruto and Sasuke walked into the building.