"Speech"

"Radio or calls"

'Thoughts'

Thunderclouds

Euphemia

Euphemia's nails were digging into her lap as she looked across the desk in her office. Facing her was a smug man, and she tried to control her anger, "Lord Claremont, I have received multiple reports of Japanese women who have disappeared and not found their way home after they go to your casinos." The man just gave her an unimpressed look. The man was in his forties, with thick black hair styled in a long ponytail, his bangs pushed back. His mouth was almost always sneering, and he still was fit, if starting to get out of shape.

Claremont chuckled, "Viceroy, we've been over this before. I am not responsible for what happens to Elevens and even…Japanese…who go to my casinos." Euphemia almost ripped her dress as he said the word Japanese. For all the progress that she hoped she made, the nobility still did not favor her, and the homeland had left her to dry. 'I will not bend to their demands.'

Her and Lord Charles Claremont have been feuding ever since he had been named the Minister of Defense for Area 11. Thankfully the SAZ had its own defenses set up by Lelouch, but the nobleman had risen in influence ever since she had taken over. Her sister had encouraged her to keep him, saying that he had served loyally, and even been part of the invasion of Japan so many years ago.

But all he had done was be a thorn in her side. Thankfully he had no way to truly remove her from power, her brother still having her back politically, even if he had been more and more withdrawn in the last couple months. But his connections had made finding honest supporters harder, and even removing some of his friends from positions had not only brought heat from the homeland, but had just made him more obstinate.

"Our laws state that you are to at least assist in investigations that happen connected to your establishments. And I have heard rumors of abuse of workers. I can bring the power of the viceroy down on you if you don't cooperate."

Claremont's smug look didn't fade, his arms crossed over his chest, "What power? I have more friends than you ever since you put those savages above us. The only reason you are here is because daddy hasn't said anything." He chuckled, "Now if you can find proof that I was involved, then you can accuse me. Because all you have now is allegations."

"I can charge you here under my authority. Hold up your rights until I got to the end of this case." Her voice was as strong as she could make it, but even she knew this was a bad argument.

He shook his head, "But viceroy, that means appealing to the courts of the homeland, and even your family connections can only get you so far." He smirked, challenging her as he leaned back.

Euphemia's nose flared as she took a breath. She hated that he was right. The homeland had a different court system for nobility. If he was anyone else, she could easily try him and get him charged at a trial. But the homeland could be appealed to by any nobleman who had the influence. She sat in silence, and the defense minister just smiled, "You know the truth. Otherwise you would have challenged me. Sent guards to arrest me and lock me up."

Euphemia glared at him, "Why can't you accept this? Treating the Japanese people with respect will only create stability in the Area 11. If we hadn't treated them badly before, then the Black Knights would never have happened."

"You mean your pets?" Claremont just shook his head, his lips a thin line, "Because you betrayed our empire with your compassion and weakness. This empire was not formed by being nice or accepting others. We are superior to them. You letting them have hope only empowers their ideals. One day they might even want to free themselves again. And it will be your fault." She could see him shaking a little before he collected himself, "So as long as you maintain this obsession with the SAZ, I will not back you. And even then. Your sister understood the place of lesser beings, and it seems siblings can fall far from the tree."

Euphemia's eyes became steel as her voice became hard, "Fine. I tolerated you long enough. You are no longer the Minister of Defense. I will pick a new one, but you are to move all of your responsibilities to the next in line as a temporary position. The order will be sent out within the hour, so do not try to lie to them." She growled under her breath, and her mouth twitched as she saw a hint of respect form on his face.

"Here I thought you were a spineless idealist, but you have some fire." He still smirked, though she could see some anger filling his eyes, even with that respect, "You still have nothing. You can remove me all you want, but your SAZ will fail, and I can't wait to see it happen." He pulled a pin off his lapel, and placed it on her desk. He turned around, not even bowing, leaving the office as he slammed the door, the sound echoing through the hall.

Euphemia looked at the pin on her desk, and glowered at it. She had no idea who to replace him with, but it would be someone she favored, not someone her closed-minded sister recommended. 'Perhaps Lelouch would be good to ask.' She heard the door open and was about to tell them she needed a couple minutes, but her mood visibly brightened as Suzaku entered, concern etched on his face. She took a deep breath and let him approach her, leaning back in her chair as she gave him small smile, "I hate that man."

Suzaku chuckled as she that, putting his hand over hers, "I think most of the Japanese population does." He wished he could do more, but he couldn't appear like he was her lover when anyone could see. 'Not that everyone doesn't suspect he is anyways. The only thing they are missing is that we are married.' She had a warm feeling at the thought of being married to the most wonderful man in the world, and him just being in her room lightened the weight on his shoulders. His voice became more serious, "But I know you'll be able to prove he is doing."

"Yet every time I try to do anything, the police seem to do nothing, or the evidence seems to disappear before we can do anything." Euphemia just let out a long sigh and then closed her eyes, "Why does it feel like whenever I make a step forward, it feels like it's two steps back?"

Suzkau shook his head, squeezing her hand, "Euphie, you know that's a lie. More and more soldiers are integrating into the population. You even have a new order following your ideals. You are changing people's minds. And men like him will always be corrupt and cruel. You don't need to blame yourself." Suzaku wasn't as blind as he had been a few years ago, but she held back a sigh at his words. 'He's not wrong, but that's not the people we need to change. Only those with the power to actually do anything help if we wish to change the empire. And if my father is in charge, then nothing will happen.'

She smiled at him, still comforted by his words, "I suppose any progress is better than no progress." She could see a small frown cross her husband's face, and she laced her fingers with his, "Suzaku, thank you for being here. I needed someone to calm me down after that…barbarian acts like he usually does. How is the Order of the Rose?"

Suzaku, seemingly feeling her avoidance, just rolled with it, "The last time I checked, the founder was on a recruiting drive. I plan to meet him soon, but his headquarters are a bit out of the city." Euphemia nodded, having approved the creation of it a few months ago. Founded by a dishonored knight by the name of Lucas Merrill, it had taken her words to heart. She had actually been surprised and honored by the request, them asking permission to use her symbol, the same as Suzaku's pin, as their symbol, which he had approved of.

But she never really got to meet him that often, the handsome blonde man seeming confident despite the scorn many knights and other orders heaped on them. 'At least he seems like he has a good heart.' So he had decided to make a headquarters outside the SAZ. The Japanese people seemed suspicious, the Black Knights too popular to ever really draw from them, "Well tell him I said hi when you go over there."

Suzaku nodded, "I will." Just the door opened and the mousy secretary walked in.

"Zero is here for his appointment."

Euphemia was brought back into the daily grind, and nodded at the woman, "Please let him in." She sighed with relief. 'If anyone can understand my issues, it's Lelouch.' The woman disappeared, and with a swish of a cloak, the dramatic former terrorist appeared at the door. At his side was his stalwart bodyguard, the redhead's eyes covered as Lelouch's boots echoed on the hard floor of Euphemia's office, "Viceroy Euphemia. Sir Kururugi." He bow in respect for each one, Kallen following suit.

Euphemia couldn't help but smile the sight of her brother and his girlfriend. He was the one bastion of support she had in the world, who asked nothing of her most of the time other than funding and PR from the Britannian side. She curtsied in response, "It's good to see you again."

Lelouch chuckled, "Lord Claremont looked like a lobster when I passed him in the palace. Whatever you said to him must really have gotten to him." Euphemia raised an eyebrow, surprised he knew her schedule, though she supposed that he kept an eye on men like him, especially since he always had a massive target on his back ever since he had joined the SAZ.

Euphemia looked to Kallen, who didn't say anything, "We had a very…tense…meeting. He is no longer the defense minister." She caught a split second twitch of Lelouch's hand, but he was unreadable as he just nodded. 'If there was one thing frustrating about him, then it's I can never fully trust his body language as Zero in public.'

"Understandable. He has been doing a lot behind the scenes to undermine you. But today I have a gift for you, if you can bend your schedule a bit to follow us."

Euphemia looked at him, intrigued, and gave Suzaku a glance. He looked back at her, a hint of suspicion in his eyes. She wished she could tell him, but she could never bring up the nerves to inform him who Zero truly was. Lelouch was his closest friend, and it was a betrayal that they hid this from him for over three years. She took a breath, then smiled, "I have a short break and can reschedule things."

Lelouch just nodded and gestured to the door, like a fairy king leading someone into their garden, "Then I think you will appreciate what I have to show you." He waited for Euphemia to start moving, then walking besides her as they left the room, Kallen and Suzaku next to each other as they just grunted. She could see them with her peripheral vision, and the fact that Suzaku thought he was hiding Kallen's status to Lelouch hurt as well. 'He cares so much. But I know he's going to be more hurt than ever before.'

Suzaku

The SUV entered the growing SAZ, the rumble of the engine dulled. Kallen sat at the wheel, the group protected by the bulletproof glass. 'I know Zero can be paranoid, but isn't the SAZ a place where he is trusted?' He supposed that it could be in case Britannia tried something, but he was working with them, wasn't he?

The car was custom, setup like a limousine as Zero sat across from him and Euphemia, the leader of the Black Knights leaning against the comfortable seats. Euphemia had her hands folded on her lap, her expression calm as she looked out the window at the developing city. Suzaku couldn't help but keep his eye on Zero, all that fighting from years ago not gone away, though having seemed to genuinely help his wife had softened that view a bit.

Zero spoke in his filtered voice, the car covered in shadows for a second as they went under a bridge, "Thanks to a donation from a generous nobleman, we have been working on a new suburb on the outside of the city. And more and more people have been creating local businesses." He gestured out the window, and the desolate and devastated city from three years ago was now more bustling. The center of the city was mostly restored, and the outskirts of town were the only real part that was untouched.

There were still many old buildings that were either getting worked on, but Suzaku felt an ache in his heart as he looked at the place. When he was a child, Tokyo was a bustling and densely populated city. A wonder of Japan. So many cultural locations and sacred places. It was like seeing home every time he visited the place, and his guilt hit him hard. He was the one that killed his father. That caused what happened to Japan. 'I saved us from a worse fate, but was it really the right decision?'

And now it was recovering. Slowly, but recovering nonetheless. Japanese flags were flying besides the Britannian ones, and people were chatting and walking. Families were spending the afternoon in the city, and he swore he saw a kid with a piece of bread in their mouth running past the car. He swallowed heavily as he looked at Euphemia, and her eyes were shining as she looked at the people walking around. Her face was pink from the sight, and it was cute she was so excited seeing this, "See Euphemia? You are helping the people, regardless what that man says."

She nodded at him and she leaned forward, kissing him on the cheek, "Thank you." She looked at Zero, and took a breath, "And how are the Black Knights handling the law enforcements? Any major issues?"

Zero didn't move, "Besides standard crime that happens, the only major issue are gangs hired by nobles who harass and attack Britannians who visit the place. Along with some thugs who have been paid by noblemen and create problems due to said payments." Zero just tapped his lap, "But we are resolving that when it pops up."

Euphemia's smile began to get replaced by a frown, and Suzaku grunted, "Then why don't you bring the noblemen to justice? Charge them with crimes."

Zero laughed, "How naïve. Britannia charging the nobility for doing the job they are supposed to do. Why do you think only the commoners get arrested and charged with crimes?" Suzaku could swear Zero was smirking beneath his helmet, and he even heard a bitter chuckle coming from Kallen.

He looked at Euphemia with hopeful eyes, and she looked away, "Suzaku, the homeland has been taking the nobles accused and protecting them. The best I can do is make sure they don't come back, not that many necessarily want to." Anguish laced her tone, that familiar guilt in her eyes as he tilted her head to look back at him.

He placed his hands on hers, and didn't say anything as the only sound in the car was he hum of the engine and the tapping of Zero's feet. He couldn't help but try to silently assuage his wife's guilt. He rubbed his thumb along the top of her hand, feeling her soft skin. Her frown receded a bit, and the car stayed silent for another minute, before Zero spoke again, "Was Lord Claremont trying to pretend that he wasn't stealing Japanese girls and selling them into less than reputable services?"

A curious glance crossed the Viceroy's face, and Suzaku could feel his blood boil at that. He was the kind of nobleman that he at least understood why the Black Knights resisted Empire. It was still not the correct choice, as change had to come from the inside, but he at least had come to get why the Japanese people rebelled.

Euphemia nodded, "He wasn't exactly hiding it, but I have no evidence of what he's doing. He knows too many people to effectively be dealt with."

Zero just leaned back, and tapped the back of the couch, "What if I said I could help you find the women? Or at least gather proof that he is doing this?" Suzaku looked at him, hearing the confidence in the voice of the leader of the Black Knights.

Before Euphemia could speak, Suzaku jumped in, "Is this a legal method, or are you up to your dirty methods?" Euphemia gave her husband a hard look, but he responded with narrowed eyes. Euphemia sighed in exasperation.

Zero tutted, "You are trying to fight an enemy that doesn't play fair, and you think you can do it with only clean methods?"

Suzaku was about to speak when Euphemia stepped in, "Suzaku, thank you for that, but I can handle this." She looked to Zero, a hardness in her look that unnerved him yet sent a shiver of excitement at the same time, "Zero, can you make sure that the women can be saved or at least be located?"

"We already have our eyes on him, and have seen reports of girls getting moved. So we can bring them back, and if you wish, bring non-SAZ citizens to the SAZ and change their identities. I would make a move against the good lord, but I get the feeling that is too far."

Suzaku looked at the woman he loved, and took a deep breath. 'Why does this feel so wrong? We should be changing this fair and honorably, yet our best ally is a terrorist.' Euphemia was humming under her breath, that look of negotiation he was used to filling her eyes. He kept his hand on hers, and she intertwined their fingers, giving a rush of comfort. She gave him a softer look, before her voice strengthened, "If you can rescue them and gather evidence on his crimes, I would appreciate it. Make sure people don't get hurt, and please don't antagonize the lord. I will take your list of new citizens and make sure they get processed fast."

Suzaku bit his lip to stop his complaint, watching as Euphemia was shaking slight, his grip tightening on her. He didn't know if Zero was smirking beneath the helmet, but the fact his sweet wife had to go to this to get results bothered him more than anything else here. Zero just nodded, "Then I can certainly get that done. The Black Knights won't complain if it bothers the nerves of some uptight noble." Kallen laughed.

"As long as I don't have to dress up like a bunny girl, then I would be happy to help." Suzaku noticed she wasn't hiding her voice at all, and hoped that Euphemia knew, or someone else had to hide the secret that Kallen was dating his friend and Euphie's brother.

Zero shook his head, "No, as tempting as that sounds, I have bigger plans for you. I already have agents on the case, so they will just get more support." He turned his head and then looked back at them, "Q1, park here. We have arrived." He stood and opened the barn doors as the car came to a stop, offering his hand to Euphemia as the pair finally got a look at what they wanted to show her.

In front of them was a three story building, sitting right in the middle of the SAZ. It was a modern construction, with a curved front and a full set of wide windows showing a hallway full of people moving through it. The insides were full of warm color, and the outside was a soft pink. To the right of the several entrance doors was a playground with a handful of children all giggling and screaming. A few men and women were watching them, soft smiles on their faces.

But the biggest thing was the name of the building. Above the entrance sat a sign that read 'The Li Britannia Community Center' and Suzaku could immediately feel his heart soften. His wife was holding onto him as she looked at the sight. She spoke softly, "Suzaku…" Her voice was thick and it sounded like she was about to cry. He squeezed her hand.

"The people care about you, my love." She nodded and both of them turned to face Zero, Kallen at his side in a protective stance, "When was this constructed?"

Zero turned with a swish of his cape, "It's actually been pretty quick. One of the Six families wanted to honor Japan's protector, so commissioned this. If I remember right, it's been six months or so since the start of construction." He looked at the staff member who was approaching them, "We can talk more with them." Zero began to guide her away, and Suzaku was tempted to follow, but he had a different conversation he wanted to have.

Kallen began to move, but Suzaku caught her before she could take more than a few steps, "Kallen, can I ask you a few questions?" She grunted, but nodded, "Why are you still acting so underhanded? You guys are protected by Euphie."

Kallen just shook her head, "Suzaku, no one in Britannia likes us. We are basically a legitimized rebel group. We can't afford to rely on support from the outside." She crossed her arms under her chest, "And you think any of us trust Britannia? At best we trust your wife."

Suzaku looked away, and saw Euphemia surrounded by children, a bright smile on her face. Zero had taken a step back, and his wife was getting pulled by the children to play with them, a middle-aged man with a staff shirt keeping a close eye on the situation. That soft smile appeared on his face. 'This is vindication of her beliefs.' Kallen's voice broke him from his revery, "Suzaku, if you had to choose between Euphemia or Britannia, who would you choose?"

The knight turned to face her, "What do you mean?"

"You heard what I said." There was no anger in her voice, just a pointed curiosity, "If the empire betrayed her, or she went rogue, what would you choose?"

Suzaku looked to the love of his life, than to Kallen, then the ground. He bit his lip as he wanted to ignore the question. It shouldn't have to be a choice. Euphie was a princess of the empire. One of the eldest ones even. 'Why would Britannia ever fully go against her?' He knew she faced difficulty from the homeland, but it was only time until they would accept this more merciful treatment.

He looked Kallen in her blue-eyes, a sharpness filling them, "I won't have to choose. We will be able to make it work using the rules presented. Breaking the rules would be hypocritical of me." A heavy frown crossed his face for a second, before going back to an even look.

The redhead just shook her head, "You better decide what you would do, because I get the feeling the world will force it on you." There was a knowing tone in her voice, and he looked at her, his lips thin.

He rested his hand hard on the sword at his side, "What does that mean?" A confusing fog was filling his mind, her question not leaving no matter how much he tried to push it away.

Kallen just chuckled and shook her head, "I hope you and your princess are prepared is all." Kallen just shut her mouth, Suzaku starting to ask again before he realized her crossed arms metaphorically closed that off.

"So does he know what you do?" He wasn't looking at Kallen, paying attention for any security threat.

Kallen just tilted her head looking at him, "Lelouch? Yes. I told him I'm a Black Knight, even if I have to keep it hidden from anyone else."

Suzaku just nodded, "Good. He would hate someone lying to him. And if this ever backfires, I'm blaming you." He missed Kallen rolling her eyes, and he could see Euphemia beckoning him. The pair separated as he approached his wife, Zero passing by him with a wave.

Lelouch

Lelouch looked at his friend. His sister seemed distracted by the children, and she had said she would be here for a bit longer. 'More Black Knights should be here in a minute to watch her.' Not all the Black Knights liked the princess, but all of them at least trusted her enough for him to not worry about her safety. Kallen looked at him as he neared her, and she rolled her eyes. Lelouch raised an eyebrow under the Zero helmet, "Interesting chat?"

Kallen chuckled, "Just Suzaku being naïve about Britannia." Another SUV pulled up at the curb, and she followed him into it, sitting down next to him, "He isn't ready for this war." The car began to move, Kallen looking out the window before looking back at her boyfriend.

Lelouch chuckled, "None of us are, if I have to be honest." The driver couldn't hear through the glass that separated them, but he still kept his helmet on, "Suzaku and Euphemia will have to learn the hard way. Britannia is coming, and there is nothing we can do to stop it."

A tense look crossed the redhead's face, "We had a good run of peace, didn't we?" Lelouch nodded, and he looked at her. She swallowed and glanced out the window, "So where are we going? I assumed we were going to stay with the princess."

Lelouch grinned, and he swore Kallen could see through the helmet, as she frowned, "We were, but I got information that you would like. In fact it's a gift."

Kallen perked up at that, and quirked her head, "A gift for me? How thoughtful." She wanted to kiss her egotistical boyfriend, but decorum needed to maintained between her and Zero. Her dating life was very public to the rest of the Black Knights, even if Lelouch didn't miss how they teased her.

The truck rolled through the city till it reached the outskirts of the SAZ and a large set of warehouses that held supplies for the Black Knights. It stopped in front and the pair left the car, moving through the packed location, the place mostly full of non-perishable foods and uniforms. Black Knights wandered and worked, saluting Zero and Kallen before going back to work.

They moved through the office, the same pattern repeating before they reached a basic looking elevator. Lelouch had used this place before, and Kallen at least recognized what was going on. She subconsciously stood beside him as Lelouch pressed a button and the elevator began to move, descending deeper than one would expect, "Did you forget our anniversary again?" Her voice was teasing and Lelouch blushed.

"No, that was a mistake. You know we went out to that nice place last month." He scowled, and groaned seeing her smug expression, "I can take this gift back."

Kallen shook her head, "Oh no. You aren't getting out of this. You can't promise a girl a gift and then take it back!" She shoved Lelouch, who took it much better than he would have three years ago, merely stumbling a few steps. He didn't shove her back, but intertwined their hands. 'Now I get why father liked my mother.' He hated that he could understand anything, but things like this always sat in the back of his mind.

The elevator dinged as the doors open, their fingers untwining, and a catwalk greeted them as the two stepped out. Below them was a hive of workers in a large hanger, dozens of Gekkas and other knightmare frames getting worked on and maintained. One of many hidden bases across the SAZ in old train stations and using the train tracks, the key piece here was the bright red, very familiar frame. It's arm had a clawed hand, a dagger attached to its side. And on the back was a set of four wings.

Kallen's expression was breaking into a wild smile, "No…that can't be…"

Lelouch just grinned, "The new and improved Guren." It looked a bit sleeker than the last one, but the armor was tougher, "Faster, tougher and now flight enabled." Before he had a time to say more, Kallen was rushing to the stairs. 'If this was a cartoon there would be a cloud of dust behind her.' He followed her at a steady pace, letting his love appreciate the new frame of hers.

Author Note

Sorry about the long wait! But I am finally getting to work, and we have a long story ahead of us. So much setup, and the drama is already there. I hope you guys enjoy, and please comment and review! I'll see you guys next time!