Hello!

I know this is sooner than expected, but I had to since I am currently using a borrowed laptop in order to work since my pc exploded and I am waiting until they gave it to me. If ever. Perhaps, I would have to buy one, a cheap one perhaps. But, regardless, I'll keep updating whenever I can.

Now, I hope you guys are enjoying it! The next chapter is going to be longer! So, until then wait for a bit! Sorry.

Now, the next chapter is so waiting! The White Wolf of Winterfell!

It's going to be a Prologue and Chapter 1! So keep in tune for more updates!

Then after that, it's going to be Harry Potter and the Demon Empress, and then Harriet Potter: The Demon Empress!

I'll see you later, hopefully!

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Chapter 7

Lelouch had to smile at the face of Kallen in the photo they took while wearing those cat outfits. It was an incredibly cute picture of both of them. Although she believes that, Kallen was quite embarrassed to see her in such a revealing outfit. Yet, if she was honest, Kallen looked rather delicious in that outfit, too. Still, if she was honest. The last day they were together was really pleasant. It was just a normal day. They even went and get some food and spend the afternoon together. But there was something else going on in Kallen's head, and Lelouch wasn't sure if it had to do with the Black Knights, or something else.

Lelouch knew Milly visit her not too long ago for some school business things. Yet, she doubts it had anything to do with it.

I will have to ask her something about it.

Lelouch thought as she sighed, taking her Zero helmet and putting it on. It would have to wait, but for now. There was not much she could do but to think about what was at hand. And it was another operation to take on the Refrain drug. Lelouch was getting annoyed by how the drug was getting inside Japan. There have to be a lot of nobles getting their hands dirty. It was clear as day. Yet, she wasn't sure of how many were involved in the business.

But the positive side of their ring operations was how the people of Japan were reacting to them. The Black Knights were slowly getting more popular than ever. And it was making it easier to recruit and move around. The old train tunnels of Japan were being used by them in order to move supplies and people around, through all the Ghettos, making it easier for her to operate. Still, it was not enough to compete against Britannia. Not by a long shot. But Lelouch was not in a hurry, so far.

Lelouch looked at her in the mirror and saw nothing out of ordinary. Her machine-type costume was getting improved upon, and soon she would receive a better version of it. Hopefully, less tight than the one she was wearing.

Still, Lelouch was annoyed about something. And it was how Suzaku was talking about how Zero was too self-righteous and arrogant. Suzaku had some balls to speak like that. It was rather ironic, honestly. Yet, what bothered her more was Suzaku's inability to see how good intentions do not equal good outcomes. It was naïve to think he could change an empire by himself from within. And it angered her since Lelouch understood her friend's point of view, yet she hated it.

Such type of friends I have… truly. I am soft, way too soft. Britannia does not deserve you, Suzaku.

Lelouch thought as she walked away.

Lelouch, now Zero, approached the first floor where the rest of the members were getting ready to start the operation and saw Kallen sitting on a couch, lost in thought. Zero approached her slowly, and it was clear that Kallen wasn't paying attention to anything else but her mind. And the memories where things were so much simpler.

"Bunny, there is something troubling you?" Zero asked.

Those words seemed to be enough for Kallen to snap back to reality. And quickly, the red-haired girl shook her head.

"No! I was just thinking about the… operation. That's all."

Liar… you're such a poor liar.

"I see, alright, just remember to be careful."

"Don't worry, I'll be careful."

Kallen said without wanting to bring attention to her. It was clear that Zero wanted her to be focused on the mission at hand. And she would do just that. Kallen would not be the catalyst of failure in the team, never, so that's why she just took a deep breath and took those negative thoughts away from her mind. She would not need them anymore. But the thought of her mother lingers there, unable to be erased.

"Zero, we are ready," Ohgi said, as everyone nodded, with their weapons at hand.

"Alright, everyone move."

The Black Knights creep in the night's dark, using the shadows of the warehouse to hide. And it was clear no one suspected them to be there. Zero ordered them to stand by as she quickly disappeared from sight. The rest of the Black Knights have grown used to the shenanigans of their leader, and while weird. It just worked. But regardless, they wondered how could the robotic woman of a leader do what she could. It was baffling.

"How do you think she does it?" Tamaki asked in a hushed tone.

"I wonder the same. Still, there is no denying. She can do it all. And it scares me," Naomi said, whispering the words.

"Shh! Enough chattering!" Ohgi said.

"Oi! Look!" Tamaki said, since from the distance they all saw Zero's signal.

"She has done it again!"

The rest of the Black Knights approached their leader as swiftly as possible and they wasted no time getting into position. The warehouse before them had the lights on, and they could hear people there speaking about moving the drugs from one place to another one, in order to avoid getting caught by them. And well, it was too late for any of that. And as quickly as they came. The Black Knights opened fire on the cheap steel door of the hangar, taking the drug dealers by surprise.

"The Black Knights have arrived!"

The drug dealers who were capable of fighting back were able to grab their guns and fire back. Yet, the rest of the employees were caught in the middle of the firefight. It was an ambush and even though they could fight back for a short period. It was too late for them.

"Where did they come from?!" One of the drug dealers yelled.

"Are you kidding me?! They have a Knightmare Frame!"

"Aw! Hell no!"

They quickly lost their fighting spirit, as Kallen entered the warehouse, piloting the mecha.

"Britannia dogs!"

Kallen hissed as she started to get rid of the resistance put before her. Still, she also knew that a Knightmare Frame, even if it was just one, could change a battle without difficulty. So, having one on their side always brings a sense of security in their operations. Kallen then saw a door closing in, and she pushed her mecha forward in order to destroy it before it shutdowns completely. But what she discovered was not just drugs, but people, Japanese citizens all there, high in Refrain.

It was such a morbid view for anyone, since in the deep of the darkness and large storage room of the warehouse lay the dreams of those who once were happy.

"Japan! Japan!"

"Yes! I'm getting married next month!"

"They have promoted me! I'm going to the Paris office!"

"You'll go with me to see the fireworks next week, won't you?"

Those poor people were hallucinating, dreaming of the life they never had. They were all trying to forget and live in a dream world where all was fine. But some indeed remembered the days of joy and happiness. These poor people have sold their souls for a worthless treasure. And it was depressing to see.

"Refrain… is just a cruel drug," Kallen said, as she stared at the dammed paradise of lost minds from the Knightmare Frame.

Kallen remembered the words that Milly told her when she came to her house. The heaviness of the world could break someone.

"That's why I am fighting… so no one had to suffer like this."

Kallen whispered, but her inner fighting came to a sudden hold as she heard the voice of her mother, next to the dozen of other drug addicts.

"Careful! Careful! It's dangerous to run like that!"

Kallen's heart felt as if a thousand knives cut her wide open. The sight of her mother, there, next to everyone, walking aimlessly, while trying to catch death dreams, was shattering her. Kallen was not ready for it. She couldn't keep it together. It was hard to see someone you knew in that position, no matter what Kallen thought of her mother at the moment. It was hard to witness.

"Mother…! Why?!"

Kallen hissed with fury and shame. But was quick to react to her mother's trip and almost fell. The Knightmare Frame robotic hand gently caught her. Kallen's mother didn't seem to even notice what was happening. She was simply lost in her mind.

"Naoto, really! You have to keep an eye on Kallen!"

Kallen wanted to scream and blame her mother for everything. Yet, she couldn't. She could not do so.

"How weak of a woman are you?! You gave in to the Britannians, to a man, and now to a drug?! Naoto is gone! Just stop this!"

Kallen hissed, and while her voice was filled with rage. It was also with anguish. However, Kallen had not timed to grief as sudden shots came from her blind side. Kallen reacted poorly since she wanted to make sure her mother wasn't harmed. But it was quite hard to avoid, and in panic, Kallen moved out, while being followed by yet another police Knightmare Frame.

"Two?!"

Kallen could only yell as she was trying to avoid getting destroyed. Still, she was capable of pushing her way into the warehouse, leaving behind the rest of the Black Knights who just arrived there and were worried about having to face two Knightmare Frames by themselves.

"Two police Knightmare Frames?! Tamaki?" Ohgi yelled.

"I… I swear the intel was good! The police shouldn't be here!"

"We were played!"

Zero arrived and muttered under her breath. She got careless. She was too focused on getting the date from the drug dealer's computer and other titbits. So, when she saw two Knightmare frames entering the warehouse. Zero cursed internally.

"So corrupt!"

Zero and the rest then follow the trace left behind by the intense firefight of Kallen and the other two. And props to the red-haired girl. Kallen was holding her ground while being emotionally drained and taking care of her mother's life. Still, for how would she hold both of them? Kallen was running out of ideas, and she just couldn't focus on what was at stake.

Kallen just looked at her mother, hanging out from her mecha's hand, and hissed.

"You're in the way!"

As she started to move around, trying to find an opening in which she could leave her mother without harming her. But she couldn't find anything, nor time.

One of the police Knightmare frames quickly attacked her, destroying her last turret, making sure she was defenseless. Still, Kallen didn't give up.

"Why?! I don't want you, but…! Why are you still here?!"

Kallen screamed, trying to escape, but it was fruitless. One of her Knightmare Frame's legs was destroyed, crashing her to the ground. Kallen let a small scream of pain, as her ribs hit the edge of the control panel inside the cockpit. Not broken, but very sore. Kallen could see the body of her mother laying in front of her. And there was nothing protecting her. Kallen wanted her to run, to leave. But, her mother, still very much high in Refrain, just sat down on the ground. And looked up, meeting Kallen's eyes.

"Run…! Run, you idiot!"

Kallen screamed as she could feel one of the Knightmare Frames getting ready to strip her out of the Knightmare Frame cockpit with a large knife. Yet, her mother only stared at her, as if she was looking at the sky.

"Kallen… I'm here for you… Kallen… I'll always be here for you!"

Kallen froze in place, suddenly realizing why her mother did what she did. The reason why her mother, even after such a long time, was still working as a servant, hiding the insults and pain behind a soft smile. It was all for her. And it was then, that Kallen realized, that she was the biggest idiot in the world.

And for what it looks, it seems as if she was going to die like an idiot. Since both police Knightmare Frames held her in the ground, one with destroying her Kallen's Knightmare Frame remains arm, and the other one slowly carving the top of her compartment.

"I am sorry… I am so sorry!"

Kallen whispered, at the memories of her screaming at her mother, and the many times she insulted her.

Zero, who was looking from far away, knew that if she didn't do something. They would kill Kallen.

"Kallen!" Ohgi yelled, trying to think of something, but they had nothing capable of taking on a Knightmare Frame.

"Oi! We have to do something!" Tamaki yelled.

"Q-Quickly!"

Zero then surprised everyone. They saw how out of nowhere, Zero, their leader, dashed before them at an incredible speed. It was like a lightning. Then, out of Zero's hand, a beam of light came, striking one of the Knightmare Frames directly in the chest, destroying it immediately.

"Wha… what was that?" Tamaki muttered as he was rubbing his eyes, trying to think if he was dreaming or something.

The rest of the Black Knights were thinking the same. And while they seemed to still not believe what they were watching. The other Knightmare Frame attacked Zero, and everyone saw how around their leader. A strange sphere appeared, stopping every single bullet. The Black Knights, and whoever, piloted that Police Knightmare Frame, was stunned. Zero quickly dashed in front of the mecha, and then, just adding more ridiculousness to the scene, brought down the mecha with a strange sword made out of light, cutting the Knightmare Frame in half.

They saw Zero's silhouette as the fire made by the destroyed mecha shadowed their leader's image.

"What just… what just happened?" Naomi asked, dumbfounded.

"I… I have no idea," Tamaki replied, shocked by everything he had just seen.

Ohgi quickly snapped back and launched himself to where Kallen was, helping her to get out of the Knightmare Frame.

"Kallen?!" He called.

Kallen could jump out of the cockpit, strolling slowly as she was in pain. Yet, the red-haired girl was only thinking of her mother. She didn't even noticed what Zero had just done.

"Mother…! Mo… Mom!"

Kallen yelled as she reached for her mother, practically ignoring everyone else. Ohgi was then frozen again by Zero's voice. He slowly turned around and saw the robotic woman breathing hard. He saw smoke coming out of the mask. And the machinery making even more sound. It was as if something was being injected inside of her. Perhaps she is truly a cyborg. Ohgi thought as he nervously looked at Zero.

"Ohgi, take the civilians away," Zero voice sounded, so tired and sad.

"Y… yeah."

"Tell Kallen to take a few days off. She needs to rest… and to take care of her mother."

Zero said, with a rather melancholy sound. And while it was true. The sound of it seemed in agony. It was clear that sadness was even bigger. And Ohgi wasn't sure of why could it be.

"I'm so happy for you, Kallen. You can be a Britannia now and can have a phone and travel! You can be happy!"

Those words made an echo in the night, as Zero saw Kallen crying while hugging her mother.

A mother's will to do anything for her children… it's truly one of the most powerful yet painful things I'll ever witness. Zero thought, as she looked up, and saw C.C. looking down on her. It was truly a dark night.

Lelouch started at Kallen, who was sitting next to her. It's been a few days since the last operation, and Kallen has been doing her best to hide her feelings from her. And of course the injury on her ribs. It was a good thing Kallen broke nothing. But she was sensible in that area.

"Hey, Kallen, are you alright?" Lelouch asked softly.

"Uh… yeah, just… tired."

Kallen said, smiling gently. Lelouch sighed deeply. But decided to leave it be for now. Well, mostly. Kallen let a small whine as she felt Lelouch poking her side.

"Ouch!" Kallen yelled.

"Aha! You're injured!" Lelouch said with a funny, angry face.

"It's not too much!" Kallen said with a soft groan. It still hurt her.

"Sure, it is! How did it happen?"

"I… uh, fell?"

"You fell… how?" Lelouch asked, sounding like a noisy girlfriend.

And Kallen was quickly thinking of something smart to say. But, well, she wasn't capable of doing so.

"Uh… I was… playing… with my… dog?"

You're honestly a horrible liar, Kallen… You don't even have a dog!

"A dog… tell me the name of the dog?"

"Ah… Tokiyi… Tokiyiyi?"

"Your dog's name is… Tokiyiyi?"

Lelouch drawled, as Kallen blushed slightly, already knowing how bad of a name that was. It was horrible in every sense of the word. Yet, she wasn't sure of what else to say. But Lelouch only sighed, as she kisses, Kallen's cheeks.

"Alright, just be careful, alright? I don't want you to hurt yourself," Lelouch said, and Kallen sighed, not wanting to promise anything, especially not the hurting part.

"I'll try, alright?" Kallen whispered as she put her head on Lelouch's shoulder.

"Okay," Lelouch said.

Both of them only enjoyed the silence, and the sun on their faces, until Lelouch's stomach growled.

"I want to eat…" Lelouch whined.

"Again…?" Kallen said, with an amused tone.

"Love me… feed me… and love me again."

Kallen chuckled as she helps Lelouch stand up. "Alright, do you want to order a pizza?"

"Ugh! No more pizza!" Lelouch gaged.

"Ah, did you eat already?"

"Yeah…"

I can't stand pizza anymore. Eating once in a while is fine! But every day?! For fuck's sake, C.C., that's not normal! My bed smell of pizza! My pillows too!

Lelouch wailed in her mind.

"Mm, we can order something else."

"Please… anything but pizza."

"Alright, alright… do you want to eat ramen?"

"Yeah!"

"Fufu, alright let's go."

Kallen smiled as she held Lelouch's hand. She knew things would be hard, but at the end of the day. It would be worth it. And Kallen promised her mother she would work harder for a better world for her. And everyone. Kallen would bet her life on it. No matter what.

Suzaku looked rather mortified at the way Cornelia was looking at him. They were in Britannia's princess' private office, and from what he could say, there were only a few handfuls of people there. Among them was Euphemia, and a dark-skinned woman who was looking at him with disgust and a bit of anxiousness. Suzaku gulped as he knelt before Cornelia, trying to sound calm as much as he could.

"My princess, you called for me."

"Suzaku Kururugi… I thank you for coming," Cornelia said, with a stoic voice.

Cornelia only stared at him for a long period, still thinking of what she could say. But the words simply wouldn't come out. She was afraid. Cornelia didn't want to have hopes, any whatsoever. She refused to dream of impossible things. But now, those desires were prevalent in her mind.

"Suzaku, I am not someone who likes wasting time. So, I'll just be clear here. This will never leave this place, understood? You're… safe."

Suzaku was now utterly confused about what does it was supposed to mean. He had no idea, but looking around, he saw how everyone looked at him with nothing in their eyes. No hate, nothing. So, Suzaku wasn't sure of what was the meeting was about. Yet, he only nodded at the princess, whose eyes were burning with questions.

"Now, let me just ask you straight away. No wasting time… do you have any knowledge of the whereabouts of princess Lelouch Vi Britannia, and Nunnally Vi Britannia?"

Suzaku's body froze in place, and everyone immediately saw it right away. He wasn't sure of what to say, or where to run. And truthfully, if he tried to run away. He was sure he would get caught easily enough. So, the only thing Suzaku could do was to try to lie. A hard thing to do when a princess was standing before you.

"I… I don't know what are you talking about, your princess. The princesses are long deceased."

Suzaku tried to lie his way out but failed miserably.

Villeta Nu approached him, and in his hands put a folder with many pictures of them as children. They were taken when Lelouch was held as a political hostage in Japan, and Suzaku's skin was crawling away from him. He had to do something, or the whereabouts of Lelouch would fall into Britannia's hand. And if they discover she was alive. Her life, and Nunnally's life, would be in danger.

It was one of the reasons he joined Britannia to protect them. However, he should have learned that things never go as they were planned.

"You knew them… both of them."

"I… I did, but that was long ago. Before the invasion."

Suzaku again tried to sound as if they were long dead, but it didn't work.

"The bodies that are supposed to be my sisters are from two boys… two Japanese boys, siblings of one of your father's servants," Cornelia replied with ice-cold eyes.

Suzaku's mouth goes dry with no words capable of making it better.

"Suzaku… please… tell us… are my sisters alive?" Euphemia said softly.

"I… I don't know," Suzaku again tried to lie, but Cornelia wasn't having it.

"You were seen looking for a wheelchair when the war was over. And I doubt it was for you. So, I'll ask one more time… or should I order you to answer me?" Cornelia snaps back.

"Sister!" Euphemia said, not pleased with the way her sister was handling things. "This is not how we are going to find answers!"

Euphemia huffed as she took Suzaku's hand.

"Suzaku, please tell us the truth. We have to know if our siblings are alive… we don't know who may be hunting them down. They may be in danger."

Suzaku knew it well enough. Yet, he was already betraying Lelouch's trust. He didn't know why, or how they knew about such a thing. But, he dreads what could happen to his friends if they knew about it. Lelouch hated Britannia and was also terrified about them. So, Suzaku was at a loss about what to do. He knew lying would get him nowhere, since it was clear they knew more than just that. They just wanted for him to confirm it.

Cornelia had to take a huge deep breath and realized that Euphemia was saying the truth. If Suzaku knew and was aware of her sister's whereabouts. Perhaps he was in contact with them. And he was actually protecting them. She could respect that and be grateful.

"We want to protect them… I swore in my life that I would do that… and I failed. If they are alive… I had to know. Not a single person in this room will speak about it. No one. That's why… please, tell us anything you know about my sisters' whereabout."

Suzaku was surprised by the way the princess spoke. It was filled with emotions, and it was clear Cornelia was holding it together. Suzaku remembered the way Lelouch would speak of her sister. The only two sisters she ever cared about. And it was clear there was love. But he was still really uncertain about what to do. He was put against the wall. Suzaku had on one side two princesses who were pleading to know their sister's whereabouts, and if they were alive. And on the other side, there was his friend's safety. Yet, it did not know what to do.

Lelouch… I… I don't know.

"Suzaku… please tell us… please. Are they alive?"

Suzaku stared at Euphemia, and he could see the princess's teary eyes, begging him for anything. And he could only sigh. I am so sorry, Lelouch… I hope you forgive me. Suzaku thought, believing Lelouch would surely be furious and hurt. Yet, he didn't know that he was actually doing what Lelouch wanted. All was going according to plan.

"They… are alive."

Suzaku muttered, and he could hear a small sob coming from Euphemia, and even a shaky sigh from Cornelia, who almost fell on the ground.

"They are alive… goodness, they are alive," Cornelia muttered, and her loyal guards could admit to being incredible, please knowing two of the most beloved princess were still with them.

"Where are they? Are here? Somewhere?" Cornelia asked, with a tired tone, as if she wasn't believing it still.

"I didn't see them in years… since the end of the war. But then after the whole… trial thing. They sent me to a school. The Ashford Private Academy. There, Lelouch and Nunnally were students with fake names. But they were fine… and healthy."

Euphemia was openly crying, and Cornelia had her hand over her face, slowly trying to not lose composure.

"Does anyone else knows?" Cornelia asked softly.

"No… well, besides all of you… wait… Milly Ashford knows. I think her family took care of them."

"Ashford, you say? Mm, yeah… I remember. They were loyal to the empress."

"Sister… what should we do?" Euphemia asked, as she wanted to jump in a car and go and hug her sisters.

"We can't do much now… it could bring attention from somewhere. Also, there is danger out there. Not only from whatever noble faction wanted them gone. But the rebels… and Zero. I want completely silence."

They all nodded, and while Euphemia was not pleased to hear it. She knows there was no other way.

"Kururugi Suzaku… I thank you for saving my sisters' lives. And for protecting their identities," Cornelia said, giving a small bow to Suzaku, who was shocked by the gesture.

"I would like to meet them… but currently… I am moving my forces to Narita. We are going to take down the Japan Liberation Front. But… I would like to have some eyes watching over them," Cornelia muttered.

Villetta then felt a strong urge to do that. She was being pulled there.

"My princess! Please allow me to serve you in that!" Villetta said, kneeling before Cornelia.

Cornelia stared at her for a long minute before sighing. "Alright, I don't want you to interrupt in her life. Just monitor her for now. And report back to me."

"Yes, your highness!"

Cornelia stood up and looked at Suzaku. "Lt. Kururugi… I'll expect you to come with us to Narita. The faster we destroy the rebels. The safer it would be for Lelouch and Nunnally."

Suzaku nodded at Cornelia, and while he was still feeling guilty to speak about Lelouch and Nunnally's whereabouts. He realized that perhaps things would not be as bad as he thought. And he was right. Things would not be as bad as he thought. Because everything was already planned ahead of time.