Viceroy Palace - Meeting Room
Cornelia gathered her Royal Guard with the bureaucrats of Area 11 to discuss the problems they were having.
"B-But, Prince Clovis instructed us. Ah, he said forcing them would fuel the rebellion giving the Chinese Federation an excuse to attack." The Vice-Minister said nervously.
"They've already got their excuse. Zero is growing stronger and bolder everyday." Cornelia chided him.
"Vice-Minister. Internal Affairs has appointed special group of the Elevens to self-govern this area, isn't that right? A group who are called the NAC." Darlton chimed in.
"Huh?" The Vice-Minister asked, not sure where this was going.
"When we stormed Narita, we looked for the evidence of the NAC's conspiracies. But it was buried in the landslide. Still our suspicions remain high. If we suppress them now…" Darlton explained.
"Hmm, a group of blue-bloods and plutocrats. Relics of their dismal past." Cornelia said with a bored tone, not surprised at all.
"Oh, wait! please! These are just rumors. There's no evidence of that at all. If you suppress them, then the Eleven's economy will certainly collapse. That means no tax revenue to send to the homeland. Also, it's a prime directive of the empire that Numbers should take care of their own kind." The Vice-Minister tried to reason as beads of sweat rolled down his skin.
"And what have you done to find the Black Knights?" Cornelia asked with accusing eyes.
"We analyzed the shield machine they left showing Zero was behind the Narita operation. But that's all we've got. You can't squeeze information out of corpses." The Vice-Minister told her.
"So you can't catch Zero and you don't want us to hit Kyoto. Do you know the word incompetent, minister? It's for people who can't get results. And if I don't start getting any by the end of this week, Zero's head won't be the only one that will roll. Dismissed, all of you!" Cornelia said, her patience wearing just about thin.
After they left, Cornelia approached Darlton and Guilford.
"We're leaving for the medical bay." Cornelia quietly told him.
"I understand, your highness." Darlton said quietly. Guilford followed silently.
...
Viceroy Palace - Medical Bay
Joseph was in his own private room at the medical bay, he had a bandage wrapped around his head where it was struck. He had a morphine drip and a heart monitor attached to him, his heartbeat rhythm had not changed in the last couple of days. Euphemia sat next to him as she quietly traced one of his scars on his arms. She put his coat and walkman, with a fresh new pair of batteries, on a chair next to him, knowing that as soon as he woke up, those would be the first things we would want back.
She herself had refused to leave his side the entire time, afraid he would wake up without her there. He already had so many days of waking up alone, he didn't need another.
She didn't move when she heard Cornelia walk in the room. She had a tray of soup in her hands.
"Any change?" Cornelia asked as she approached her sister.
"No, same as before." Euphemia said quietly, still tracing his scars.
"Have you eaten today?" Cornelia asked. Euphemia didn't respond.
She put the tray in Euphemia lap and sat down next to her.
"Starving yourself isn't going to help his condition, now please eat." Cornelia instructed softly but sternly, she didn't like to speak to her this way but she didn't want to start worrying about her sister's health too.
After a moment of hesitation, she grabbed the spoon and started to quietly sip the soup.
"Is there any news on the MRI?" Euphemia asked after a few moments.
"The doctor said we would have the results the day after tomorrow." Cornelia told her quietly.
"...He'll be okay, won't he sister?" Euphemia asked in a small voice, tears forming in her eyes. She lost enough siblings and she didn't think she could handle losing another.
"Of course he will. You know how stubborn he is, it'll take more than a head injury to keep him away from the world." Cornelia reassured her as she took her hand in support. Euphemia quietly nodded.
"...You know, this is probably the most relaxed I've ever seen him." Euphemia commented with a small smile. Cornelia chuckled.
"Indeed, always has a mountain full of energy to keep him going." Cornelia said as she brushed some of his hair.
...
Ashford Academy - Student Council Room
"Hmm… Um… H'm… Ha…" Shirley muttered to herself, looking at the tickets her father got for her, thinking about a lot of things. Not sure what to do.
Milly, had just about enough of her friend's babbling.
"OK. What's got you so worried. Constipated? Your monthly?" Milly asked bluntly.
"Huh? That's not it." Shirley said surprised and a bit embarrassed.
"Huh… You're lonely 'cause Lelouch is gone, aren't you?" Milly concluded, a smile creeping on her face.
"Wha… It's more like Kallen is absent the same day he is… again." Shirley said sadly
Oh, so carefree. While the rest of the world grapples with what happened at Narita. Suzaku's been out for two days because of that, too." Milly said in a carefree tone herself.
"I know that! But Lulu and Kallen gone on the same day together. That's serious." Shirley said in a worried tone.
Milly couldn't help but giggle at her friend's paranoia.
"I envy you, Shirley. That's what I love about you." Milly said happily.
"Don't make fun of me!" Shirley said on annoyance.
"Then just tell him already, like Joseph said, make a move. Say those three little words 'I like you!'. Milly insisted.
This made Shirley go red in the face
"Uh-Uh, I couldn't. I just couldn't. I mean what if…" Shirley stuttered out.
"What if he rejects me, it can ruin our great friendship." Milly mocked before bursting out in laughter.
"You don't have to laugh that hard, you know?" Shirley said quietly, a bit deflated.
"Oh relax, I'm just teasing. Right Nina?" Milly went for Nina's support, only to receive no response from her. She looked at her and saw a worried look on Nina's face.
"Nina?" Milly asked again, patting her shoulder this time. That seem to have gotten Nina's attention as she had looked up in surprise.
"Are you ok?" Shirley asked in concern.
"Oh, yes. Sorry, I was just thinking about what you said Shirley...about Lelouch, Suzaku, and even Kallen being gone. Well...the same can be said for Joseph too, I mean, we haven't seen him in the last few days." Nina said with concern.
"That is true, usually he would have come through the window by now expressing himself with one of his dances. Still, it's no surprise you would be worried about him, huh Nina?" Milly asked with a strange smile on her face.
"Huh?" Nina asked in confusion, not sure what she meant.
"What do you mean, Milly?" Shirley asked, also confused by that statement.
"Isn't it obvious, Shirley? Ever since we were saved by Joseph at the hotel-hijacking, Nina has been head over heels for him. Love at first sight!" Milly said romantically.
Shirley looked at Nina surprised while Nina started to blush real badly.
"Though I guess technically it was the third or fourth sight." Milly added on.
"Nina, is that true?" Shirley asked, now completely forgetting about her ordeal with Lelouch.
"U-Um...well..." Nina stuttered out nervously.
"You should see her Shirley, how her eyes gaze at him like a deer in headlights, how her face turns into cherry red whenever he waves at her or pats her on the head. She was practically oozing hormones when she danced with Joseph at our Roaring 20s Ball." Milly said all giddy.
"Milly!" Nina said in embarrassment, her face turning into the cherry red that Milly mentioned.
"Wow, you really do like him, don't you Nina?" Shirley asked in understanding. After all, she felt the same around Lelouch a lot of times.
"Well...it's just...when we were being held hostage at the hotel, I felt so scared and hopeless, my heart was beating so rapidly and I could barely breath, and when those eleven terrorist grabbed us, I honestly thought we were going to die. But then, when Joseph stood up and offered himself in our place, to protect us...I felt safe. For the first time in what felt like a long time, I truly felt safe...and when he gave that smile and thumbs up, I knew everything was going to okay. He may be odd, but for me...he's a knight in shining armor." Nina said with a small smile and hands together at her chest.
Milly and Shirley were surprised at Nina's statement, but then they had huge smiles on their faces.
"Nina, that's so sweet!" Shirley said excited.
"You should definitely say that to him the next time he's here." Milly said determined.
"Wha! No! I-I couldn't!" Nina stuttered out, freaked out by the suggestion.
"(Sighs) You and Shirley with your unreachable crushes. For her, it's a prince of her dreams, and for you, it's a literal prince. So, how do you feel about it on your side?" Milly asked the person who just entered the room.
That person happened to be Lelouch.
"Wha-Lulu?! I thought you were absent!" Shirley said startled.
"Nunnally had a little fever this morning and Sayoko was busy. So, I stayed home to help." Lelouch told her casually.
"Oh really, you don't say. So, is Nunna feeling better now? Shirley asked with concern, but also a small blush
"A bit. What were you guys talking about?" Lelouch asked curiously.
"Oh, just you and Joseph and-" Milly was explaining before Nina interrupted.
"CHESS!" Nina shouted, perhaps a bit too high than needed.
Lelouch looked at her in startled confusion.
"Huh?" Was all Lelouch could ask.
"Uh, yes! Chess! About whether or not you two played against each other. Haha, that's all." Shirley added on nervously.
"Oh, well, once actually." Lelouch told them.
That surprised the girls, not expecting him to say yes.
"Oh really? How did it go?" Shirley asked curiously.
Lelouch grimaced at that.
"Um..."
...
(Flashback)
Aries Villa
A 9 year old Lelouch and a 13 year old Joseph sit together across each other with a chess board between them. Lelouch was on the black side, Joseph was on the white side.
"Okay Joseph, I think it's time for you to be introduced to more advanced type of games. Now while Aunt Becky has helped you with your cultural thinking, I believe this will help you with your strategical thinking." Lelouch explained.
"Like Battleship!" Joseph exclaimed.
"Exactly. Except Battleship is more based on luck than anything else. Chess on the other hand requires using the skills of your mind, trying to predict your opponent's moves while also coming up with your own solutions. It's your job to outwit your opponent at their own game." Lelouch explained.
"Coolio." Joseph said as he gave two thumbs up.
"Alright, we'll do two out of three. The main objective is to capture your opponent's king(holds up his king for example), if you do that, you win, understand?" Lelouch asked, hoping Joseph would get it.
"Okie Dokie." Joseph said in understanding, nodding his head.
"Good. Now, because it's your first time, I'll let you go first. It's okay if you need to take awhile, it can be very-" Lelouch didn't get to finish explaining as suddenly, Joseph snatched his king from his side of the board.
"I win!" Joseph exclaimed, holding the king up on victory.
Lelouch looked at him confused for a moment, but then he realized his blunder.
"No, no, no. T-that's now how you play." Lelouch told him. Which confused Joseph.
"(Sighs) It's my fault, I should have demonstrated how the game works. You see, you're suppose to capture my king with your chess pieces. You have your pawns, that can only move straight forward one block at a time, your knight, that can move in an L shape. Your bishop, which moves diagonally as far as it wants to, your tower, that also moves straight forward but also as far as it wants to. And of course, your King and Queen, who can make any moves they want, except the king can only move one block like the pawns. Do you understand?" Lelouch asked as he demonstrated the pieces and the moves they make.
Joseph stares blankly for a moment and until recognition comes across his face.
"Ooooooooh. Got it." Joseph said in understanding.
"Ok then, how about you try again." Lelouch said with a smile.
Joseph thinks for a moment, then he suddenly grabs his Queen piece, and charges through Lelouch's pieces, knocking them off the board, including his king. This left a very confused and flabbergasted Lelouch.
"Ha! Win again! Two out of three!" Joseph exclaimed happily.
"B-but, that's not how-" Lelouch tried to explain, except he was interrupted by Nunnally, who entered the room.
"Hey, Big brother Joe! Can I have a piggie-back ride?" Nunnally asked innocently.
"Abso-toda-lutely!" Joseph enthusiastically. "Good game, Lelouch." He said to Lelouch before going over to Nunnally.
"Wha-hold on!" Lelouch said, trying to get him to have a rematch.
But it was no use as Joseph picked up Nunnally and ran out of the room, both of them laughing.
Leaving a frustrated Lelouch, who threw his black king over his head.
(Flashback End)
...
"Suffice to say, that was the last time I played that game with him." Lelouch said with a sigh.
The girls stare at him blankly for a second before bursting out into huge laughter. Lelouch was shocked to say the least.
"What!?" Lelouch asked, failing to see what was so funny.
"And here I thought no one could beat you at chess." Milly said, catching her breath and wiping a tear from her eye.
"Wha-he-he didn't beat me! He didn't even play it right!" Lelouch said, flabbergasted they were taking Joseph's side.
"Technically, you did say the Queen could make any moves it wants. It sounds like Joseph took advantage of that." Shirley explained, still giggling.
"Sounds like to me you're just a sore loser." Milly said with a teasing smile.
Lelouch grunted at that.
"Whatever. Those papers, Madam president?" Lelouch asked, now all moody
"All right. Make sure you organize all of them by year and class, OK?" Milly said in authoritative voice as she handed Lelouch the documents. "Not realizing" Shirley's tickets were on them.
"Yeah, I will. You have a talent for ordering people around." Lelouch said in a bored tone.
"He he. And you are a great subordinate." Milly teased.
"Subordinate? Huh, I guess that's what I am." Lelouch said.
After Lelouch left, Shirley and Nina breathed a huge sigh of relief.
"Oh, madam president! You nearly gave me a heart attack doing that!" Shirley exclaimed in exasperation.
"Yeah. I don't want everybody to know I have a crush on a prince!" Nina said in fear.
"Ha ha! Oh, you girls are always so fun to mess with." Milly teased.
"Oh, where is my tickets?" Shirley asked, before she realized something.
The tickets happened to be on some documents, documents that Milly gave to Lelouch.
"AH!" Shirley exclaimed as she raced out the door to catch Lelouch.
Milly giggled while Nina looked on in surprise.
"You guys always make this place interesting." Milly said with happiness.
...
As Lelouch exited the building, Shirley was hot on his tail.
"Lulu!" Shirley practically screamed.
Lelouch turned around, startled by her sudden appearance.
"What is it?" Lelouch asked in concern.
Ah… Um…Is my dad's letter mixed up with that paperwork?" Shirley asked nervously.
"Huh? Oh, sorry." Lelouch apologized as he gave the tickets back to Shirley, who kept shifting her feet. "Huh? What's wrong?" Lelouch asked.
Shirley thought about what Milly and Joseph told her.
"Um...Lulu?" Shirley asked nervously.
"Shirley?" Lelouch asked, wondering what was up with her.
"About these orchestra tickets. My dad works a really long away from here. But he likes to send me great stuff like this to keep my spirits up, you know?
So, I was just wondering…if maybe...you would...like to go with me...?" Shirley asked really nervously, her face going red.
This surprised Lelouch.
"Uh, well..." Lelouch said, not sure what to say.
"You don't have to say anything now! If you decide to go, I'll see you there! Well, gotta go!" Shirley said rapidly as she shoved a ticket in Lelouch's hand and ran away like she was on fire. Leaving a very confused Lelouch.
"Why would Shirley, just out of the blue...?" Lelouch asked himself.
Meanwhile, C.C. watched the whole thing from Lelouch's room, and couldn't help but feel something she hadn't felt in a long time. Envy.
"Ah? Stop being so suspicious. That's hardly the case. To me, he is nothing more than a..."
As C.C argued with herself, a white-haired man watched from afar on top of a building. Wearing a visor and headphones.
...
Shirley caught her breath after she ran behind a building.
"I did it! I actually really did it! So, now what happens? He'll come, right? I mean he didn't say no. Then again…N-n, he is just coming with me to a little concert. So, it's not big thing but still it's a chance. Thank you, father." Shirley said to herself as conflicting emotions and thoughts passed through her head.
Suddenly she heard her phone ring, she took it out of her pocket and saw it was her father calling, talk about timing.
"Hi, dad!" Shirley said with glee as she answered the phone.
"Hey Sweetie! How are you?" Mr. Fenette asked over the phone.
"I'm good! Thank you so much for the tickets!" Shirley told him with joy.
"Oh, I'm glad you were able to get them. You're very welcome." Mr. Fenette said happily. But then an awkwardness started to build in his voice. "...listen Shirley, I'm in a bit of situation."
"Huh? What is it, father?" Shirley asked in concern.
...
Kallen's Room
"Kaa-san, could I ask you something?" Kallen asked Naomi.
Ever since Lelouch hired her, she's been roommates with Sayoko. When asked by others why she was always visiting her room, she just gave the excuse that Lelouch would hand her off to do some personal maid work for her. She didn't like lying about her mother like that but Naomi insisted that she do it, her friends may have been accepting but the same couldn't be guaranteed for the rest of the academy. She decided to go along with it, for now.
"Of course, what is it?" Naomi asked kindly.
And that's when it started to get awkward. Kallen cleared her throat.
"Well...let's say I have a friend..." Kallen started off with.
"Meaning you?" Naomi teased. Kallen's face went a bit red.
"Um..yeah...the thing is, well...I have these feelings...for someone I know...a guy" Kallen went on.
"Joseph?" Naomi asked surprised.
That's when Kallen's face went full red.
"Wha-KAA-SAN! NO! WHY WOULD YOU JUMP TO THAT CONCLUSION?! THAT WAS FAR FROM THE PERSON I WAS TALKING ABOUT!" Kallen said with high embarrassment.
Naomi couldn't help but laugh at her daughter's behavior.
"You said you had feelings for a guy you know. Lelouch is a nice boy, but far too serious, and you don't seem interested in him. Rivalz, the poor boy, is clearly trying to capture President Milly's heart. There's Suzaku, but you always seem to avoid him. Which just leaves Joseph, the odd, yet kind-hearted chap who happens to be real friendly with you." Naomi said sweetly.
"Yeah, because all we are is friends! That's it! Nothing more! I mean, come on kaa-san, me and a prince? It would never happen." Kallen said, pushing the idea far away.
"I don't know, stranger things have happen." Naomi told her with chuckle. "So who is this guy you do have feelings for?" She asked.
"Well, let's just say he's passionate, but also mysterious. Intimidating, but also understanding. He agrees with a lot of things I think about He's so cool but I feel like if I don't know what the right thing to say is. And it doesn't help that he may have someone else in mind." Kallen told her awkwardly.
"Hmmm...well, it sounds like you have a crush on him. It's been years since those first meetings with your father, but one of the things you can do is just show him you care." Naomi told her.
That seem to do the trick, as Kallen felt a lot better after that.
"Yeah, ok, I'll do that. Thanks Kaa-san." Kallen said, hugging her mother.
"Of course dear. But just so know, sometimes the best things are right in front of you." Naomi told her in a wise motherly tone.
Kallen just rolled her eyes at her.
"It's never going to happen, and to be honest, I don't know he has those kind of feelings for people." Kallen told her.
...
Sometime later
Black Knights Base
"Kyoto praised us for using the Guren Mk-II so well. I thought that was encouraging." Ohgi said encouragingly.
"But there was Suzaku." Kallen said discouragingly.
Ever since she learned that he was the pilot of that white knightmare, she's been conflicted on how to feel about him. He's a friend at school yet he's enemy on the battlefield. He's Japanese yet he chooses to work for Britannia, she didn't know what to do.
But given what Zero said about only fighting him on the battlefield, she would make sure to show him no mercy. She's gone this far, she can't turn back now.
"Don't sweat it. It was a tie, right? A tie!" Tamaki reassured her while laughing.
Lelouch on his end, was having similar feelings about the whole thing. Suzaku was the first friend he ever had outside a few select members of his family. To not only be working for Britannia but to actually be fighting alongside them was completely asinine! Was it because of what happened with his father he chose this path?
Then there's what C.C. said. About using his Geass on him. He immediately put a stop to that suggestion.
He would NOT use his geass on his friends, ESPECIALLY his friends.
His thoughts were interrupted by Ohgi holding out a letter to him.
"Here." Ohgi said.
"Hmm? What's this?" Zero asked as he took the letter.
"A love letter." Ohgi told him with a smile.
"Oh? From you?" Zero joked.
"And they say you have no sense of humor." Tamaki laughed.
"You laugh too much." Kallen said annoyed.
"It's an official letter from Kyoto. They urgently request a meeting." Ohgi told him.
"Is this really such a big deal?" Zero asked in a putting off way.
"A big deal?! It's Kyoto!" Kallen exclaimed, surprised he had to tell him this.
"If they accept us it means funding and support. It could solve our financial crisis." Ohgi said before realizing the error of his sentence.
"Crisis? There shouldn't be any problem if you are following the budget I laid out." Zero lectured.
"Oh, well…" Ohgi nervously said, not sure what to say.
"Hey! It's not my fault! We're turning into a big organization now! That means new expenses, you know!" Tamaki explained.
"Like French dinners, for the new recruits so you can show off?" Kallen asked in accusation.
"Hey, you?!" Tamaki said angrily.
"I know where you've been taking them, big spender?" Kallen mocked.
"Uh-ugh?! You know about it?!" Tamaki said surprised.
"We'll put Ohgi in charge of the treasury for now." Zero ordered.
"Hold it right there! I'm the one that's in charge of the cash! That's my job!" Tamaki said angrily.
"If you want me to trust you then show me some results." Zero told him.
"Did you actually just say trust a guy who hides his face from his own partners?!" Tamaki said accusingly.
"Huh?" Sugiyama asked, the rest of the group was surprised at this statement as well.
"I mean first you let that moron prince come in here do whatever he wants and now that we learned that Kururugi traitor is working for Britannians, you don't want us to do anything to him! So the least you could do is let us see your face finally! How about it Zero, Huh?!" Tamaki demanded and accused.
The group looked at Zero, realizing Tamaki had a point.
"Hold on… That's a…" Ohgi tried to defend.
That's when Kallen stepped up.
"Zero is not the problem here. Who cares who he is? He had the skill to outwit Cornelia, didn't he? And he gave us plenty of good reasons for letting Prince Joseph be here and letting Suzaku live. That's why he is the leader of the Black Knights. Do you really need to know more?" Kallen asked in a defending tone.
Tamaki grunted at that.
...
Student Council Room
Nina was looking at a magazine that had a picture of Joseph dancing and cheering with a bunch of other people, likely his "Eat that Horse" mantra. Another was hugging his sister, Princess Euphemia, from behind and lifting her in the air.
She thought about how he patted her head, how he always showed her a kind smile. How she wanted him to reach down and do terrible, nasty-
"Nina? Is that you?" Nunnally asked in concern, appearing out of nowhere.
Nina quickly brings her skirt down and grabs the magazine she was "looking" at.
"If you are not feeling well, then-" Nunnally tried to say before Nina quickly walked past her.
"Oh no. It's nothing. Don't worry about it." Nina said quickly.
This left Nunnally confused, but she didn't push.
"Still, what was that thumping I heard earlier?" She asked herself
...
Black Knights Base
"I've narrowed it down to twelve possibilities. Now let's see which bets pay off. For that I'll have to meet them face to face…" Lelouch thought to himself, planning his meeting with Kyoto as he looked through their photos.
He then heard a knock on his door.
"Hm? Who is it?" Lelouch asked.
"It's me. Um… I'm sorry if I was out of line when I spoke up back there." Kallen said nervously behind the door.
Lelouch thought in silence about something Joseph said, "Need trust, give trust..."
"Kallen, tell me. Do you wanna know my identity as well?" Lelouch asked her.
This surprised Kallen, and she thought about that green-haired girl who was with Lelouch in Narita.
"That girl knows, doesn't she…? Kallen thought to herself. "...No, sorry to bother you." She said as she left.
"If I push too hard, he might reject me." Kallen thought to herself.
...
Nunnally's Room
Lelouch quietly enters Nunnally's room.
"Lelouch?" Nunnally quietly asked.
Lelouch was always surprised that she knew it was him.
"Looks like your fever's gone." Lelouch said with a smile.
"Maybe I was just a little moody." Nunnally told him quietly.
"Moody?" Lelouch asked.
"Um...It just seems to me lately that you've become a little distant like you have other things weighing on your mind." Nunnally said sadly.
Lelouch was surprised at that statement, it seems his sister was a bit more intuitive than he thought.
"Hm. Perhaps my body just did this on its own to get your attention." Nunnally deduced.
Lelouch took her hand in his.
"You're wrong. I haven't changed. No matter what, I'll always be at your side, Nunnally." Lelouch said to her quietly.
"So then, can I be a little selfish now? Please hold my hand just a little bit longer. If I fall asleep alone, I'm afraid I'll have that dream again." Nunnally said with a hint of fear.
Lelouch tighten his grip on her hand a bit, he knew what dream he was talking.
...
(Flashback)
Last Night
"Lelouch!" Nunnally screamed from her bedroom.
Lelouch ran to her room like there was no tomorrow.
"Nunnally, what's wrong!?" Lelouch exclaimed, filled with worry for his sister, he saw Sayoko was already there by her side.
"I'll go get her a glass of water." Sayoko said in reassurance as she left the room.
Nunnally turned to him with tears coming down from her closed eyes.
"It's terrible, Joseph's in trouble!" Nunnally said with concern.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Lelouch asked confused.
"I had a dream that he was trapped in some dark, endless void, with no way of getting out. He tried to call for help, but no one could hear him, I tried to help him, but...I couldn't get to him..." Nunnally said sadly as she started to sob on Lelouch's chest.
"It's okay, Nunnally. It was just a nightmare, I'm sure Joseph's fine." Lelouch reassured her as he brushed her hair.
"But...it felt so real...I tried so hard to help him..." Nunnally said skeptically.
"Don't worry, I'm sure Cornelia is just keeping him on tight leash at the moment. Give it a day or two, he'll be popping back in."
That seemed to do the trick as Nunnally finally calmed down and smiled at her brother.
"You're right, thank you brother, I needed to hear that." Nunnally said sweetly.
Lelouch smiled at her and kissed her on the forehead.
(End Flashback)
...
Lelouch watched Nunnally fall asleep as he thought about Narita and Joseph's sudden appearance. It wasn't too surprising he wasn't here, considering Cornelia probably metaphorically gave him the belt for being there at all. Still, when has he ever done what people have told him to do?
"Joseph, what are you up to?" Lelouch thought to himself.
...
Next Day
Train Station
Shirley and her mother were waiting at the train station, when she decided to dial Lelouch's number. Thankfully he picked up.
"Hello? Shirley?" Lelouch asked on the other line.
"Yeah, um…Listen, Lulu?" Shirley said awkwardly.
"Huh?" Lelouch said, wondering what was up.
"I know I gave you an invite to the orchestra tonight, but unfortunately something came up, so I'll be little late." Shirley said sadly.
"Oh, I see. Well-"
"Of course if you can't show up yourself tonight, I completely understand! Just wanted to let you know, we can always reschedule if need be! Sorry! Ha Ha! Well goodbye!" Shirley quickly said as she ended the call before Lelouch could say anything.
She breathed an exasperated breath and then heard a stifled giggling from her mother.
"Mom! Don't laugh at me!" Shirley said, red with embarrassment.
"It's always so cute to see you get so frazzled about him. Honestly, you would feel a lot better if you just told him how you felt." Mrs. Fennette suggested in a motherly tone.
"Ugh, you sound like Milly." Shirley said defeated.
...
Narita Mountains
Medical Base Camp
"Severely damaged corpses should be brought to tent 2."
"Id personal items. Bring remains with identifiable faces to tent 1. Note locations and times."
"Medical team 2 will arrive. Transport personnel, report to tent 2."
Commands were shouted out as bodies were pulled out from the landslide Zero caused. Suzaku had other things on his mind as he thought about the green-haired girl from the capsule.
"Was it really her? Did I really see her there? And then…" The image of his father came up again... "Just forget it. She doesn't show up in any of the data." He told himself as he poured some water on his head. That's when Lloyd approached him.
"Dug enough bodies out of the landslide, yet?" Lloyd asked with his signature smirk.
Suzaku couldn't help but narrow his eyes a bit, sometimes Lloyd could be so insensitive.
"I'd like to continue recovery operation if that's possible." Suzaku said.
"Be my guest till it's out of your system. Consider it Princess Cornelia's pleasure to indulge you." Lloyd said in a somewhat joking matter.
"...Lloyd, Zero and the Black Knight...what are they trying to do? What do they hope to achieve by sacrificing all these lives?" Suzaku asked.
"They are knights for justice, haven't you heard?" Lloyd answered, as if it was obvious.
"Is this justice?" Suzaku asked in an angered tone, crushing the water bottle in his hand.
"Hey, hey, I hope you are not going to start spouting some embarrassing theory about the nature of justice. We are soldiers, after all." Lloyd said in a somewhat annoyed tone.
"DADDY!" A familiar voice yelled running through the base camp, Suzaku looked and saw who it was.
"Shirley?" Suzaku asked himself, surprised to see her here.
"Joseph!" A woman not too far behind Shirley yelled, presumably Shirley's mother.
"There's my girls!" A middle aged man said, who Suzaku presumed was Shirley's father, as he met them halfway and engulfed them in a tight hug. Which they tearfully returned.
"Friends of yours?" Cecile asked as she approached Suzaku.
"Uh, yeah. She goes to my school." Suzaku told her, still confused why her family was here.
"Thank goodness you're safe, when Shirley told me you were in Narita, I assumed the worst." Mrs. Fenette said tearfully.
"I know, but it's okay. I'm right here. I think I might take a couple of weeks off to spend more time with you girls if that's okay." Mr. Fenette joked.
"I think we would all like that." Shirley said happily.
"Shirley?" Suzaku said as he approached them with Cecile and Lloyd.
"Oh, Suzaku. I heard you were here in Narita. It's good to see you're okay." Shirley said with relief.
"Thanks. Are these your parents?" Suzaku asked.
"Oh yes, sorry. Mom, dad, this is Suzaku Kururugi, he's on the Student Council with me at Ashford Academy." Shirley told them.
"A pleasure to meet you both." Suzaku said as he bowed to them.
"You as well, I was surprised when Shirley told us that a Japanese fellow was going to her school. But you seem like a good chap to me." Mr. Fenette said happily. Mrs. Fenette nodded in agreement.
"Um, thank you." Suzaku said with surprise, but with a small smile on his face. "Oh, this is Cecile Croomly and Lloyd Asplund. They're the people I work with in the military.
"Nice to meet you." Cecile said with a small smile and curtsy.
"Charmed." Lloyd said with a simple wave.
"Forgive my intrusion, but what exactly are you guys doing here?" Suzaku asked.
"I had a close brush with death, that's what. I was almost part of that landslide that buried the town I was in." Mr. Fenette said with panic in his voice.
This surprised Suzaku and his group.
"Really? How on Earth did you get out of there?" Suzaku asked.
"You're not going to believe it, but it was actually Joseph who saved him!" Shirley told him gleefully.
This shocked Suzaku and his group.
"Joseph? Prince Joseph?!" Cecile asked, reeling from said shock.
"My, my, that boy is just a box full of surprises, isn't he?" Lloyd said with a smirk.
"Yeah! He just showed up out of nowhere and hightailed us out of there! Talk about being in the right place at the wrong time." Mr. Fenette said with glee.
Suzaku knew that Joseph saved someone from the landslide Zero caused, but he had no idea it was Shirley's father.
"Is he here by any chance, Suzaku? I have to give him the biggest hug possible!" Shirley said enthusiastically.
"Yes, we would love to show him our gratitude." Mrs. Fenette added on happily.
That's when Suzaku and Cecile both had a look of sadness put on their faces.
This confused Shirley and her parents.
"Suzaku? What is it?" Shirley asked with concern.
"Shirley...there's something you should know." Suzaku said with guilt.
...
Mt. Fuji
"You..." A shocked Kirihara, one of the six houses of Kyoto, said.
"It's been a long time, Lord Kirihara." Lelouch said nostalgically, without his mask on.
"Is it really you? It's eight years since I finally received you as a hostage." Kirihara said nostalgically.
"Yes. And I appreciate you taking care of us then." Lelouch said with gratitude, remembering when he and Nunnally were taken in by the Kururugi shrine.
"If I hadn't come tonight, were you planning to take our messengers as hostages?" Kirihara asked.
"Not at all. I came to ask for your help. That's all I'm seeking from you." Lelouch told him truthfully.
"So the flower planted eight years ago has finally bloomed." Kirihara said with sly grin, and then he laughed manically.
The others in Lelouch's group were wondering what was going on, as they couldn't see from the distance.
"I can't see him!" Tamaki complained, he tried to move closer but Kallen stopped him.
"Ohgi!" Kirihara yelled.
"Yes!" Ohgi said, standing at attention.
"This man is a true model enemy of Britannia. His face must remain hidden for vital reasons. I urge you to follow Zero. And I guarantee that if you do, we will assist you generously with intelligence and strategic support." Kirihara told them with wisdom.
That seem to calm the nerves of Lelouch's group.
"We thank you." Ohgi said with relief
"I am grateful, Lord Kirihara." Lelouch told him, glad that was one obstacle out of the way.
"Are you embarking on the path of blood?" Kirihara asked, already knowing the answer.
"Indeed, if that is my destiny." Lelouch told him with a sly grin before putting his mask back on.
...
That night...
Tokyo Settlement
It was lightly raining outside when Lelouch finally made it to the place the orchestra was being held at.
"Damn, I'm later than I thought, hopefully Shirley won't be too mad. Anyway, things are finally moving forward. Now the Black Knights will operate as I envisioned." Lelouch thought to himself.
"Lelouch!" Shirley called over to him from a distance, waving at him. He ran up to her.
"I'm sorry I was late. My errands went on longer than I thought." Lelouch said apologetically
"It's okay, I just got here a few minutes ago myself." Shirley said embarrassingly.
"Guess we should have planned our schedules better." Lelouch said jokingly.
"Hehe, yeah." Shirley said with a blush and smile.
"Well, the concert is probably halfway over by now. Do you just want to go somewhere to get out of this rain?"
"I like the sound of that." Shirley agreed happily. "But Lelouch, before we go, there's something I need to tell you." She said as sadness took over her voice.
"Hmm, what is it Shirley?" Lelouch asked with concern.
Shirley took Lelouch's hand in her own and looked at him with sad eyes.
"It's Joseph...he's in a coma." Shirley told him.
To be Continued.
Not too much to say on this one, I just wanted to show what a chess match was like between Lelouch and Joseph, as well have the student council be more aware of Nina's "crush" on Joseph. Next chapter will be focusing a lot more on his past more, and tell me what you think.