Chapter 34: Invitations

While leaders and power brokers continued their meetings about the changing landscape of Area 11's security and politics, life continued without interruption or change for most people who called Area 11 home. In Ashford Academy, where news of Narita had reached them, it had done little more than ruffle some feathers and was part of the conversation. To the students, all they knew was that there was a freak landslide and that the Black Knights got a lucky hit in, nothing more. They had faith that Cornelia would be able to handle things.

Shirley was one of the few who had more reason than most to think about Narita because it related to her father. She was worried, but she knew she'd see him again that evening, and in the meantime, she got something from him. He might disapprove, Lord knew her mother would, but she just couldn't wait until after history class ended.

Using her textbook as a shield, she pulled out the letter her father had sent two days before the mess of Narita. Inside the latter, she pulled out a ticket to the Pendragon Symphony Orchestra's Tokyo show. She couldn't believe it. Getting tickets to this was incredibly difficult and super expensive, and here he went and got her three of them.

'Oh, father…' Sometimes he spoiled her; this should be something they went to as a family, but instead, he wished for her to attend with friends. Or maybe…no, no, he wouldn't do that, but if he had been talking with mother then-

'He would have sent just 2 if that was the case!' Shirley shook her head, clearing away the wannabe romantic thoughts. Besides, it wasn't like she had a chance; something made clear as she glanced to the side and saw Lelouch's empty seat.

Throughout the school day, she couldn't stop wondering about that. She… still wanted to ask Lulu about this, but how did one even begin to do that? He was in a relationship already. She'd met Claude and seen how cute the two were together, and as much as she wanted to believe otherwise, with Nunna giving her stamp of approval, she knew that Claude couldn't be too bad.

They had even gone for a weekend couple's retreat; who knows what they did during it! They could have cuddled, held hands, kissed…or….had sex; that wasn't something she could match, and she certainly wouldn't put out just for a guy's attention if not waiting till marriage; she would like to date someone for a while before taking such a serious step!

Still, despite knowing all that, she still wanted to invite him, but she also didn't want to be the 'other woman' or the reason his relationship with Claude fell apart. She couldn't stomach the idea of Lelouch being a two-timer either, so why was she like this? Why try, and it seems doomed to fail?

When it came time for a council meeting, Milly quickly picked up on how distracted the typically diligent and peppy Shirley was. With how understaffed they were, she would have assumed Shirley would be even more determined to work, but instead, she'd been staring at an envelope for the last five minutes. If she didn't know better, she would assume it contained a paternity test.

“All right, what’s got you so worked up? Constipated, your monthly?” Milly asked her, drawing Shirley out of the mess that was her turbulent mind.

"That's not it; it's just…" Shirley looked to the side, where Lelouch would sit. Yet again, it was vacant.

Milly caught where her eye was and smiled like an amused cat. "Oh, I see. You're lonely because your precious Lulu is gone, right?"

“No, it’s just…” Shirley tried to deny it, but in the face of Milly's knowing look, she decided it wasn't worth it. "He was gone for the weekend, and yet he's still gone, so he could still be with…"

Milly giggled at the response, making Shirley feel worse about things. "Oh, so carefree; while the rest of the world grapples with that freak landslide at Narita and the Black Knights, you're here worrying about boy trouble," Milly noted, looking to the seats that Suzaku and Kallen would otherwise occupy, both empty. “Suzaku’s been out for 2 days because of that 2, and Kallen needed some time off for sick leave.”

"I know that, but Lulu still decided to spend time with Claude; that's serious!" Shirley retorted, as how could he have romance on his mind now? And wouldn't he and Claude had their fill during their weekend getaway? He didn't need romance as his new excuse for skipping class.

Milly saw right through that but decided against asking if Shirley was upset Lelouch's distraction wasn't here. "Well, you can calm your adorable heart. I know he's with us right now, but they're not doing anything. Nunnally came down with a fever, and you know your Lulu, his mother bear instincts won't just let Sayoko handle things, so he's been acting primary nurse since. Claude's just been helping and giving Nunna another lady to talk to."

Milly wasn't too worried about it, as it was most likely just a minor bug, but she knew Lelouch wouldn't care. Having spoken to Claude about it, he was practically glued to his sister's bedside, only being kicked out when the women of the Lamperouge household wanted some 'girl talk'.

“And with Rivalz out with errands, that just leaves the poor 3 of us to handle all this work.” Milly sighed, pushing back from her seat, spinning it like they had too much to do. She brought in minions for this, and they couldn't be bothered to show up; how rude.

“Rivalz would be here if you hadn’t asked him to do all that," Nina stated.

"I didn't ask him in particular; I asked the room." Milly dismissed that with a wave of her hand, which had Nina and Shirley sharing a glance.

‘Does she not know he would ride all the way for Kyushu if she asked?’ Nina seemed to convey with her eyes how Lelouch never caught onto Shirley's feelings towards him, and Milly seemed blind to Rivalz's feelings towards her and how much he did to try and gain her favour.

Shirley shook her head. 'Let's not bring things up; it could get ugly.' At least in her experience, she knew she wouldn't appreciate it if the 2 had told Lulu about her feelings for him, so they wouldn't do that to Rivalz.

"Well, madam president, for your information, that's not the only thing on my mind!" Shirley's anger seemed cuter to Milly, who continued to smirk at her, only missing the canary in her lips to complete the look. “My father was at Narita and got hurt.”

Milly's demeanor shifted from teasy and jovial to concerned and serious, like a switch had been flipped. “Is he doing okay?”

Shirley let out a relieved sigh at that. "Yes, he called over the weekend from the hospital; the place was evacuated beforehand by the Viceroy; he just tripped and broke his arm. We spent the weekend at his bedside, but the doctors said it wasn't too serious, and he'll be discharged by the end of the week." Her father had been in a good mood when they arrived at the hospital, joking how it was because he was clumsy that he even got hurt as bad as most just got sprained ankles and some cuts.

"He's lucky she did, though I don't know why Viceroy Cornelia would order that. Wasn't it just some terrorist mope-up?" Milly nodded, as she couldn’t speak to Cornelia as a person, having never met her.

"He thinks that it was because she worried about another hostage situation because it was the Japan Liberation Front the Viceroy was targeting," Shirley replied, which made sense to the two other council members, neither wishing for a repeat of Kawaguchi.

Still, that left one thing off, which Nina mentioned. “And the letter?”

“Well, it’s some tickets to something and…well,” How does Shirley explain that and not come off like a hussy?

"And it comes back to this, doesn't it? I'm a little jealous, Shirley. You have such strong feelings towards a taken man; you're just like Eve; you have a taste for the forbidden." Milly was back to teasing her, which got Shirley red-faced.

Milly placated her friend before she thought she was serious about this: "Oh, relax. I'm hiding. You should just come out and tell him three simple words: I like you. Followed by a simple sentence: Would you like to go on a date with me?"

“I-I couldn’t, just couldn’t, he’s dating someone else!” Shirley reminded them of the blue-haired elephant named Claude in the room!

Milly shrugged. "So? Polygamy is legal in Britannia, even if it's mainly seen in the wealthy and noble classes. Still, someone like Lulu is bound to become quite wealthy and powerful, especially if he had someone like you encouraging him to quit being such a lazy old hound.” She teased her, as Shirley always talked about how Lelouch could be at the top of the class if he tried.

“Wha-but-No that’-how are you so came about this?!” Shirley stuttered.

Milly’s response was delivered through a deadpan face. “We have an emperor with over a hundred consorts. My grandfather had three wives and eight mistresses. I probably have more uncles and aunts than I can count. Polygamy is practically encouraged among the powerful and wealthy, a means to 'spread good genes.'" Milly rolled her eyes at that last part but moved on, "But for you, it means you don't need to be the 'other woman'; you'll be his second and equally loved wife."

“But… but…” Shirley began.

"Just talk to them. I'm sure they'll be willing to at least hear you out. Worse case, they say no. Best case, you end up one with Lulu and gain a sister-wife." Milly told her, as it seemed to her that Shirley was just overthinking things as if life was some made-for-TV drama.

“You say that like it’s so easy. I’m not the only one that likes him, remember.” Shirley grumbled.

Milly paused in thought, tapping away at her chin. "Yes, and I know plenty of them have rocking bodies and would practically do anything he asked if it meant getting in his pants. It's part of why the Fantasy Seduction Club exists since they’re trying to find out what he’s into and drawing him that way.” Her comments only made the other two blush, as they had seen some of those…attempts. If the Fantasy Seduction Club was in on it, it was a miracle one of them hadn't pranced about in lingerie or dressed like a sexy…whatever they wanted.

“But!” Milly brought things back on track, pointing at Shirley's face. "You have something none of them have: His friendship. He knows what sort of person you are and respects and cherishes you for it! He knows you care for his sister for Nunnally's sake and not some ploy to get to him or make yourself feel good about 'befriending the cripple.'"

"Nunnally doesn't deserve that, and she's such a kind person; it's hard not to like her if you give her a chance," Shirley muttered, as she had always hated how people treated Nunnally. It was why she liked how she had her new friends, even if Alice was…a lot sometimes.

Milly smiled at that. “And she likes you back, and for any single parent, it’s a great show of character if you can get their kids to like you.” It seemed like a joke, but it was true in this case. Lelouch might not know it, but Milly could tell he was a family man in the making and would want a partner who was the same.

“Life is filled with uncertainties; maybe you tell him, and he says no, or Claude doesn't approve. Maybe things get awkward between you two for a while, but can you sit there and tell me you can accept not even trying?” Of course, Milly didn’t think things would get to that point, but she couldn’t act like Shirley had that level of confidence.

“But it seems so trivial.” Milly chuckled at the statement, though she wholeheartedly agreed with it.

"Ashford was built as a place where such trivial things thrived because they could lead to many important, life-altering things. But time's running out, Shirley. You need to make a decision that you can live with because things are changing, and nothing remains the same." She told Shirley that as the door opened, Nina noticed who was standing there, and Milly only smiled.

“Wouldn’t you agree, Lelouch?” Shirley jumped in fright as she turned and saw Lelouch standing in the doorway, out of uniform and wearing more casual clothing.

“L-lulu, I thought you were absent!” She nearly screamed, terrified that he had heard something she would rather he didn’t.

"Nunnally came down with a fever this morning, so I stayed home to help," Lelouch stated, having just arrived to catch the tail end of the conversation. Turning his attention to Milly, he gave his answer. “As for your question, madam President. I prefer things to change, as stagnation is just a slow death.”

"Dramatic, I see. Is Nunna doing all right?" Milly rolled her eyes at his retort.

“Her fever went down, but she’s still going to rest in bed to be on the safe side. Sayoko went out to collect some medicines, and I've left Claude and the hounds to keep an eye on things." He replied as he entered into the council room.

“So…was there a reason you came then?” Nina asked as she couldn't imagine Lelouch as the sort that would leave his sister's side without good reason.

"Correct, Nina. Our leader decided I should still handle paperwork even when not present, so I came to collect them." Lelouch turned a lazy glare towards Milly, who brushed it off like one would a breeze.

"Make sure you organize them by year and class; thank you for your service." She gestured towards a stack of paperwork close to Shirley.

"You have a real talent for creating work and not doing it," Lelouch remarked as he picked up the files and saw that it would be the sort of work that would take hours to handle by himself. He knew for a fact that Chantal would laugh if he tried to ask for advice without a sufficient bribe.

"And you are second to none at completing such work, my faithful minion. So well trained and dependable." Milly giggled as he turned to leave, the rebel student pausing at the doorway.

“What am I? A purse dog?” He asked, mainly himself as he continued. The door closed behind him. Shirley took a big breath of relief, waiting a few moments in case he came back when he didn't.

"Madam President, you nearly gave me a heart attack. Can you tell me when he's just walking in next time?" Shirley complained, to which Milly made a show of considering it.

“I’ll consider it.” And decided on nothing, which only Shirley groaned.

“Of course, wait, where’s my tickets?” She looked to the side, where she had put them…on top of the paperwork Lelouch had just taken. “Oh no!” She shot out of her seat and raced for the door.

Line break

“Lulu!” She managed to catch him as he was leaving the building. Lelouch turned back towards her, looking a little annoyed that he was being interrupted in his business.

“Yes, is there something you need?” He asked.

"Well, no, it's not school or council-related, but could you check those papers you took? I think my dad’s letter got mixed with them by accident." She managed to get out.

“Oh, sure." Lelouch looked down, and right on top of the files was a cyan-blue envelope, which did not suit the rest of the drab, plain white paper. Honestly, he wondered how he hadn't caught it sooner. It seems it was. Here you go. Sorry about the mix-up." He picked up the letter and moved to hand it to Shirley, who looked at it and then at him but didn't take the envelope.

“Is this…not your father’s letter?” Was it a different color, and was this part of what Milly wished for him to handle?

“Lulu!” Shirley jolted, her face still red from…he didn't know, but her eyes seemed a little more determined than they had been a moment prior.

“Yes…?” he asked her. C.C., having returned from the bathroom, looked out the window and saw the interaction. She couldn't hear them, nor had she taken to learning how to read lips, but based on the context of Shirley opening a letter, saying something that got Lelouch's attention, and forcing a piece of paper into his surprised hands before running off red-faced, she could give an educated guess.

“So she’s finally gone and done it, yet she chose such an odd time for it…” C.C. mused as Shirley didn't strike her as the type that tempted men away from their lovers, but then again, she had seen people do far worse when the target of affection couldn't be obtained through sane means. Just in case, she'll watch for poison in her meals. It won't kill her, but it would be awkward for everyone if Shirley thought she did her in and she just got back up.

C.C. turned her head to the side as if looking at someone who wasn't there, her face shifting from confused yet entertained to bored and carrying a hint of hostility.

“Stop being so suspicious,” she said, speaking at nothing, appearing to have a one-sided conversation. She paused, seemingly letting the unseen and unheard person reply, to which her frown grew all the more pronounced. "And why would I be jealous about that? Aren't you projecting, considering your dry spell?" She hit back with a bard, which got no response, at least none that could be seen or heard by others.

It seemed that remark got on the other's nerves as whatever C.C. heard made her pause. She bit her lip as she looked out the window, back towards Lelouch, who still seemed frozen as he looked at the paper Shirley had given him. She fell silent for a moment, seemingly having nothing to say, before she managed to piece something together. "I'm not so easily fooled, and you, of all people, should know that I don't let others play me.

Shirley, for her part, ran as fast as she could from Lelouch and hid in the shadow of one of the school buildings, happy as she could be. "I did it. You see that, Milly? I really did it!" Milly wasn't present, but she would hear about this later. Shirley would be sure of that!

"So now what happens? He'll come, right? He didn't say no, so that has to mean something, right?" Thinking about it, Lulu seemed more surprised than anything, and perhaps it was out of nowhere, but he didn't say no, and she'll hold onto that till he does so! But wait, would…would this lead to something, as it was a concert, then perhaps a romantic boat ride on a lake, it would be late so she could stay over.'

She shook her head, ridding herself of such ideals. She had to move one step at a time! "Get it together; he's just coming with me to a concert!"

A fair distance away, someone watched Shirley but also had seen her interaction with the person they were more focused on, Lelouch. An odd pair of sunglasses blocked their eyes, but it couldn't hide their smile. The person humming along, all while one of the ravens spotted them. Muninn wondered about this stranger, not dressed like the staff or the students, and let out a caw before she turned and flew back to the house.

The figure heard the bird and, seeing it leave, decided it was time to do the same.

Line Break

That afternoon, the Black Knights' mobile base was parked by the industrial side of town in the shadow of a warehouse. Inside, the leaders of the Black Knights sat. Zero having provided drinks of fine whiskey for this meeting, the first official one since Narita, where he wished to allow them something small to celebrate their hard work and the success that it brought.

“Kyoto praised us for how we handled things with the Guren Mk II, and they were impressed with the data on your Nemesis; that sounded pretty encouraging," Ohgi informed the masked man, who sat with his arms and legs crossed. “They said they should have a replacement unit for you in 2 weeks.”

“I suspected as much; it's a unique frame, not something they could have acquired or ordered like Burai or Sutherlands.” Inoue guessed as she would bet Kyoto would have an easier time than they did getting parts, but that didn't mean it would be a quirk.

“However, I'm sensing an issue here. Did their communication contain more to it?” Minami asked, to which Ohgi frowned as the rest of the letter had been polite, but one didn’t get as far as he did without being able to pick up some intent in things like it.

“Well, they didn’t seem happy with how we’re absorbing the JLF. It read that they were displeased that the decision was made without their knowledge.” Ohgi replied, as Katase, while an official member of the Black Knights and someone who they all expected would sit among them, wasn't present. The former general is still busy moving things on his head end to complete the dissolution of the JLF and its integration into the Black Knights, which already saw them recoup their losses at Narita in terms of manpower and gain dozens more.

“Is that all? Well, it’s not as if they would have had any authority over the decision. Resistance groups dissolve, merge, splinter, and constantly absorb new members and entire groups. That is much of an issue. Did the JLF happen to be absorbed and not the other way?” Sugiyama joked, to which Yoshida chuckled

“Yes, but you've flipped the board, Zero.” Yoshida raised his glass to the still-silent Zero before he took a sip of his drink, enjoying it because it was something rarely found in the ghettos.

“Yeah, but we should be worried about the Lancelot; what if we need to move before the new Nemesis is delivered?” Kallen asked as she was still upset that they hadn't managed to do the stupid thing and had to retreat.

“You kidding? You guys wrecked that thing! I bet Kallen can finish the job right here next time they meet; there's no issue.” Tamaki laughed, Kallen keeping an eye on him to ensure he didn't drink too much and embarrass himself.

Zero seemed to be present, but behind the mask, Lelouch couldn't stop thinking of Shirley. ‘Why would she…?’ It had been out of the blue. She brought up how her father works away from the settlement and often sends her stuff like that to keep her spirits up and how he had been injured at Narita. Lelouch had been grateful to hear the man was doing well and internally thanked Tamaki for his comment as if not for that spurning his revision of the plans…

No, it was a bullet dodged and just a reminder his war couldn't be carried out recklessly; he needed to work to limit collateral. Not knowing where his head had been, Shirley just…asked him out for a date? She knew he was with 'Claude,' but she still asked him. He just couldn't understand it and hadn't been able to refuse it as she placed the ticket into his hand and ran off. Even now, he couldn't understand her reasoning behind it.

Did she want to be his mistress or something? Did she think he was the type to cheat, to begin with? Had he been wrong about her and his belief she would never want to be the 'other woman'? He couldn't ask anyone about this and still needed to explain how he would tell Chantal.

His musing was cut short as Ohgi held out a letter to him, this one in a plain brown envelope. “And what’s this?” Zero asked as he accepted the envelope.

“It’s a love letter?” Ohgi replied, to which the masked man looked at the letter and then at Ohgi. The man realized too late that Zero may take that the wrong way.

“Well, Ohgi. I'm flattered, but I will have to turn you down.” At his calm, reasoned retort, the rest burst out laughing at Ohgi's expense. The man left embarrassed and stuttering. Even Kallen laughed and hid it poorly by holding the Guren's manual higher to cover her face.

“Wha-no, I didn’t mean from me!” Ohgi shot back, to which Zero was grateful. “It’s from Kyoto. They’re requesting an urgent meeting.” At that, the mood sobered a little as Zero looked the envelope over, opened it up, and pulled out a letter.

It was typed, but clearly, it was done by someone who was a master of expressing thoughts without getting lost in flowery language and metaphors.

“Can this wait?” he asked, knowing that a group like this wouldn't be pleased if he put it off for a week or so while he sorted things out.

It didn't seem like the members of his command would abide by that either, as Kallen looked scandalized by the very notion. “Wait? This is Kyoto! For them to want a meeting. Rumour is only Katase and Tohdoh have ever met them!” Zero wondered why they didn't just order him to appear before them if that was the case. Was it just for appearance's sake? Was it a means to show some respect to him as their now biggest fighter, or just patronizing him, as if they thought he couldn't read the lines?

“I mean, this was expected, right? With us absorbing the JFL, we're the strongest resistance group in Japan. Of course, they'll want to judge us for themselves.” Inoue guessed as it made sense when considering it in that context.

Ohgi nodded to both women's statements. “If this goes well, it means greater funding and support, which could solve our financial crisis.”

“Financial crisis?” He paused at Zero’s question, the same as the rest who could immediately detect the shift.

“Ohgi, if we've been following the budget I laid out, even with our recent expansion, we should be having money issues, not a crisis, as you say.” Ohgi looked away. Despite having no eyes, he could feel Zero's gaze piercing through him, the man barely shifting, and yet they could tell it wasn't pleased…far from pleased. “Ohgi, we have been following the budget I laid out…right?”

His real question was: What have you done with my money?

Tamaki, seeing his friend in a pickle, stepped up. “Hey, it's not his fault. We're a growing group, and things happen. Expenses rack up, and we can't just ask for I.O.U.s, you know.”

Kallen rolled her eyes at the comment. It might have held water if-“You mean treating new recruits to expensive dinners like some big shot? I know where you've been going, big spender.” Kallen eyed him, to which Tamaki floundered in shock.

“You do?”

“Is that so?” Zero softly asked, and yet it still felt like seeing the slate grey dorsal fin of a shark breaking the surface. Zero went silent, none knowing what he was thinking about. Was he angry? Was he disappointed? Was he about to punish Tamaki for the colossal waste of funds? They couldn't tell with him; his mask and perfectly relaxed posture made reading his mood impossible.

Zero turned from Ohgi, who breathed a sigh of relief and focused on Tamaki, who felt he should hide. As calm as a sea filled with sharks, Zero asked. “Tell me, Tamaki, you must have requested and received permission for such an…unexpected expense, and it’s merely slipping my mind, correct?”

It didn't matter what answer you gave. If you lied and acted like you had permission, you'd be devoured by the sharks, but if you were honest, what was stopping you from drowning? Put on the spot, Tamaki gulped in fear, the rest staying silent, unwilling to join him as he looked into the watery fate. “Well…”

Zero didn't let up; the water looked so wonderful that one could see the jaded rocks beneath it. “That must be the case, else the alternative is that you wasted our funds, funds which should be going towards supporting our struggle to see Japan freed, and used it for a frivolous and expensive means to present a false front of power for no other reason then your ego, I did get shot in the head at Narita, so perhaps thanks to the concussion, it slipped my mind."

With no way out, he just had to take the plunge. So Tamaki, looking like a scolded powder boy, answered. “No, Zero…”

“Unfortunate.” Zero sighed, pulling Tamaki from the edge as his gaze shifted, the sharks swimming away, leaving a crystal-clear lagoon as he turned his attention to another of his council. “Yoshida, you’re to be the new treasurer effective immediately.” At this, Tamaki foolishly stood up on a rocky ship to protest.

“Hold it, that’s my job—" A shark broke the surface of the water, its jaws open, its teeth ready to piece, rip, and tear his flesh. Zero's gaze didn't shift; his tone didn't change, and yet one could see the storm brewing, which would see their ship smashed onto those rocks, ripped apart, and its crew reduced to shark feed.

“Which you’ve just proven you are ill-equipped to handle. I can trust you to follow orders, I can trust you in the field, but I clearly can't trust you with our funds, so till such a time when I can, you're not to touch a penny of our funds, am I clear?” Zero asked, acting as if a storm needed the permission of mere mortals before it passed through.

All you could do was brace. Lamely, Tamaki collapsed into his seat. “Crystal.” Kallen, to her credit, pats his back. Sure, he screwed up, but he at least hadn't been thrown overboard as the storm seemingly passed, having just barely missed Tamaki, leaving him safe from the waters and what lay beneath its surface.

Line Break

As night fell over Tokyo Settlement, Nina quietly remained in the student council room, Milly having long left with Rivalz. The spectacled girl had chosen not to turn the lights on because she didn't want people to know she was still inside. Laid on the table was a photo taken from the student council’s photo albums. She didn't know why Milly didn't allow them to post images of the council on the school's website. Still, at the moment, she was grateful they were kept private, so only they…only she could see the angel before her.

Warm colors flared across her cheeks, her breaths coming short and rushed as she continued to rub her crotch against the hard wooden table. Huffing as she chases that finish, her gaze remained locked on the photo, which contained the entire council in a group shot, smiling breezily from one of Milly's many festivals, the Human Duck hunt.

Nina's flustered, aroused gaze wasn't on the boys-never the boys. Now, was it on friendly athletic swimmer Shirley or the blonde bombshell that was Milly? No, she focused on one figure.

Nunnally sat in the center of the picture, her eyes closed, but she was radiant with such calm, elegance, and beauty that Nina could never compare.

Shirley wasn't the only one left to ponder Milly's earlier words on confession to those who love and take initiative while they still had time. That talk echoed in Nina's memory like an incantation, nudging at feelings she was only just beginning to name. All day, she replayed it, turning it over in her mind as if in a delicate dance—the idea of confessing and what courage that would take.

But alongside that stirring courage sits a sharper fear: Lelouch. What would he think? What would he do if he learned of Nina's feelings? The blush on her cheeks deepened, yet she couldn't deny the attraction to how she worked herself to a climax at the mere idea of Nunnally returning his feelings.

Good thing, too, for as she bit her hand to keep from moaning as her loins exploded, the door opened, allowing light to enter as Nunnally wheeled in. Nina, perhaps shamefully, was glad that the young maiden was blind; otherwise, she would need to explain something she would rather not.

"Nina? Is that you? If you're not feeling well, you can," Nunally started, but Nina cut her off.

Fixing her skirt, she looked towards Doby and Cathy, who both saw her but mercifully couldn't speak. If the parrots had seen her, that would be a disaster. "Oh no, it's nothing. I was just…lost in thought. I'll be heading back to my dorms now. Have a good night." He grabbed her things, including the picture, and rushed out of the room.

Nunnally frowned, as she didn't see anything, but Nina sounded…out of breath? But why? It had been hours since school ended, and Nina rarely went to the gym, so why would she sound like that? "Was it me, or was she acting strange?" She asked her dogs, who just barked as she turned to head off to dinner. Her brother would be home soon, and she would rather sit together for dinner.

Line Break

Around that time, Zero sat in his office, reviewing files on possible Kyoto members. For an organization such as this, he suspected it had to be people of Japanese origin and exceptional wealth, which helped narrow things down. 'Along with the other criteria, we're down to just 12.' He thought as he landed on one particular file, the name and face he recognized. Considering the man's age, it was a surprise he was still alive, but considering his business ventures…

He paused when he heard a knock at the door. “Who is it?” He asked, reaching for his mask to slip it on should the need arise.

“It’s me,” Kallen replied, getting him to relax ever so slightly.

“You may enter, " he stated. Kallen opened the door and slipped in, quietly closing it behind her. Not that the others would hear, as they were discussing the events of the meeting within the warehouse.

“So you know about Tamaki’s little dinner parties?” He started with the meat of the issue, at least for him.

Kallen, for her part, didn’t lie or run from it. “I did, I chose not to say anything about it.”

“Why?”

“I hoped he would shape up, or you'd figure out on your own and teach him a lesson," Kallen replied, only to change the topic. "You think you can be a little less harsh on that front? You nearly made him shit his pants.”

Lelouch scoffed at the question. “I was being lenient. I didn’t cut into him like a butcher’s knife.” Tamaki was lucky he had just been stripped of his position and not demoted. Gambling money or not, it was still precious finances he had been pissing away.

“You're getting far too angered about this; you gotta learn that not everything can be controlled or flow like you want.” Kallen reminded him. “Sure, we won at Narita, but you didn't predict the Lancelot would be present, nor did you think it'd get to us that fast. Hell, we couldn't capture Cornelia, and you got shot!” Kallen yelled at the end, as he had kept that secret till now, with only Kallen knowing about it, only to reveal it as he brutally shamed Tamaki, which only made things gloomier with the rest when she confirmed after the meeting that he had been shot, and that’s why he didn’t show his face then.

Lelouch tapped his helmet. “My helmet handled the bullet well enough, though I must redesign it to increase its durability.” That would take some time, and he also needed to work on something for C.C. for the future.

“And what happens when your plans work too well?” Kallen challenged, pulling out a newspaper she had been carrying, one with the front-page story being Narita, showing the shattered remains of the mountain and how close it had been to destroying the town.

The sight clamped Lelouch’s mouth shut as Kallen aggressively pocked the photo. “If not for Tamaki, as much as a nuisance as he can be sometimes, you…we would have buried the town. We would have killed hundreds and only realized it once the news came on.”

“Is that why you’re upset?” Lelouch asked her, to which she met his gaze with one just as strong.

“I’m fighting for Japan, for my family, too, but,” Kallen started, as not too long ago, she hated all things Britannian, but she couldn't just pretend that was the case anymore. Not when she saw good in Ashford, when their leader was Britannian and had reasons similar to her own to fight. “I also said I'll make sure not to go too far, and for now, that means not believing your plans infallible and being more flexible with things.”

Lelouch frowned, as he didn't…dislike the conversation. He didn't like that he nearly killed Shirley's father, but his gaze to the side as he recalled the invasion and what he had witnessed. “War will always have collateral. Anyone who claims otherwise is selling lies—beautiful lies but lies all the same. ”

“Doesn't mean we should be sloppy about it. Japan…it's been through hell once; we don't need to unleased that beast again." Kallen countered as she wasn't naïve enough to think they could do this without killing. She had done plenty of that, and with the Guren, those deaths would rarely be pretty, but if they lost themselves…then what was it all for?

“Do you….ever wonder if all of this is worth it? Is our cause worth all this blood and destruction? For the longest time, I never thought about it. Britannia was evil and needed to go, and that was that, but..." Kallen didn't continue, but Lelouch could see a section of the papers noting the deaths of some of those she had fought, with Britannia having no issue in graphically detailing how those men and women died and how they had been perfect soldiers, loyal citizens, with lives, friends, and families that Zero and his ilk had robbed of them.

Was it propaganda? Of course, it was, but sometimes, the most effective propaganda was the harsh truth.

Again, Lelouch recalled the invasion and the loss and death that came with it. The suffering, fear, and humiliation that came afterward for years. And how that could easily remain their reality for eternity if nothing was done.

“Yes, or rather…I want to believe it’s worth it.” Lelouch replied, his shoulder slumping. “The dead want justice; they want their deaths to mean something, or failing that, they want their deaths to be avenged because we all fear death, but we fear a pointless death even more. Perhaps it's because of that that we can't stop fighting, for how could we face those who have given everything if we couldn't achieve anything?”

“Even if that means only adding to the body count?” Kallen asked, to which he nodded.  “Couldn’t you change things with…you know?” She pointed to her eye.

“Don't you think I'm already doing just that? But while an effective tool, that's all it is: a tool. It's not some miracle machine or divine blessing that clears the board when we wish.”  Lelouch remarked that he had to be smart about how he used his power, and even when he did, it wasn't like he could abuse it. As if he did, Cornelia would surely notice something, and he would rather she didn't know anything.

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When Lelouch wrapped things up and made it back to Ashford, he found that, again, he was late for dinner. C.C. met him outside and informed him that his sister had waited for him but had already gone to bed.

Sighing, he wished he could have returned sooner, but he just couldn't. Thanking C.C. for handling things, he entered and quietly walked toward Nunnally's room. He intended to peek inside, check on her before he would shower, and head to bed, but it would seem his sister wasn't as asleep as he thought.

“Lelouch?” Nunnally called out, the girl sitting in bed after hearing the door open.

“Looks like your fever’s gone.” Lelouch walked in. Willy nestled onto her lap and lay Doby and Cathy resting at her side while several of the birds, still awake, chirped from their perches and ceiling birdhouses.

“Maybe I was just a little moody?” Nunnally smiled, but that just confused Lelouch. Moody? Nunnally? Perhaps one in a blue moon, but she had been pleasant the entire day, if a little grouchy with how close it had been earlier.

“Moody?” He asked her as Nunnally laid down, facing the ceiling.

"It just seems that lately, you've become a little distant, like you have other things on your mind.” She heard how his breath caught. She wasn't mad, though. She knew he was a busy person, so instead, she just stuck her tongue out at him. "Perhaps my body did this to get your attention."

"You're wrong, I might have more stuff on my mind, but I'll always be at your side. If you want to spend time with me, just say the world, and I'll clear an entire day's schedule." Lelouch told her, kneeling at her bedside, his hand reaching for hers and holding it as tight as he dared without hurting her. “It’ll be just like the old days.”

"Hmm," Nunnally sounded, recalling those days before they came to Ashford. "We would just sit and talk about all kinds of stories or listen to music, even playing with all the animals you rescued, like Pedro and Matilda." She smiled as she got lost in the better memories of those days.

"I enjoyed them. I really enjoyed just spending time with you, even if times got bad sometimes." Nunally's smile shrunk just a little as she also remembered that her brother was often busy working to support them. She didn't know what he did or for whom, but he often returned with food, clothing, and anything his jobs could get them.

But sometimes, he didn't. Maybe he wasn't paid, or maybe he couldn't buy anything. Those days, he would make sure she ate her fill, and while he lied, she knew he wasn't eating then. He would make sure she and the animals were as fed as they could be, even if it meant starving.

She had wished to help, but she couldn't do a thing. It was hard enough for a skinny pre-teen to find work; it would be impossible for a blind girl in a wheelchair. Even if she could, she knew how people saw her, even then, and worried that her brother would need to keep close to her to ensure she was safe, losing out on whatever work he was doing.

Coming to Ashford and leaving that converted subway tunnel was perhaps one of the best moves they had ever made. Still, now it was like brother was back to those days, often off doing who knew what.

Lelouch, too, could pick up on the mood shift as she made the same face she'd made many times before. "You know, it's supposed to be the big brother who frets over their adorable little sister and is doing what they need to support them." Lelouch teased her, only for Nunnally to send a pout his way.

"I'm turning 14 in a few days, you know. I'm not a baby, " she reminded him, yawning as she did so, which only made Lelouch chuckle as he moved a strand of hair back into place.

“You could be turning 40, but I’ll be 43, which means you’ll still be my adorable baby sister.” She blew a raspberry at him, and if she could, he knew she would be shooting him a nasty look.

Laying off, he quickly kissed her on the forehead before rubbing at the spot. "But just wait; I know you'll become a capable and compassionate woman one day, but you should try and enjoy your youth while you can."

“Same to you.” She turned his words on him as he spoke as if he was middle-aged.

"I'll try, and if I can't find the time, Milly will force me." Lelouch relented, as this was an old argument, one neither could win just because of how impossible it would be for that to happen. But they kept having it for no other reason than to reaffirm how much they wanted the other to be able to enjoy life.

“Yup.” Nunnally smiled at him, only for it to fade, and an expression of anxiety and fear appeared on his face.

"Then…can I be a little selfish now? Can you hold my hand just a little longer? I'm afraid if I fall asleep alone, I'll have that dream again." Nunnally whispered her hold on his hand tightening from fright over this nightmare.

Seeing his sister react like this, haunted by the memories of what happened that day when she lost her vision, haunted by ghosts that seemed to taunt her, only hardened his resolve. His earlier conversation with Kallen echoed in his head. 'Yes, our course is worth it because I refuse to accept a world where someone like Nunnally could suffer like this.' If he must shed blood, then so be it.

But that was for another day; he had another role to play right now.

Nunnally squealed as she pulled out of bed, finding herself carried princess-style in her brother's arms.

"I'll do you one better. You can share a bed with C.C. and me tonight," Lelouch remarked, which only made her blush. She hadn't shared a bed with him since she was 11.

"Brother, that's not what I asked." She cried, but her giggling ruined whatever offensive front she was trying to present as she leaned into his chest, listening to his strong, steady heartbeat. It might have been years since the invasion, but just like then, she always felt safest and calmest in his arms.

"Nope, but it's the best means. If you have that dream, I'll be there all night to ensure it's scared back to whatever hole it came from." Lelouch joked as he turned to leave, only to stop when he heard the dogs let out pitiful whines. The birds, too, as some flew down, landing on his head or shoulders. Rolling his eyes, he gave permission.

“Yes, you can all come.” They chirped and barked in celebration, already rushing past him towards his room, where he knew Pedro and Blue Hammer would be surprised to see them. The raven siblings would ensure no one went close to their nest, and Matilda was too old to care and would probably sleep through their newcomer's arrival.

“C.C.’s not going to like this, you know.” Nunnally reminded him of a particular feline who might not appreciate this, to which he tickled his sister, who tried to get him to stop as he walked out of her room.

"Oh, hush, little princess." Lelouch scolded her with a little smile. In the corner of his head, he believed it was good fortune that he had recently got a bigger bed, as they'd need the space.

Line Break

The commission has ended, and it was…eventful, but it's done, and it'll be at least a couple weeks before I take on another. But this is about this chapter, which, unlike last week, got cut short, but this one will be full-length. Of course, I did have a bit of a roadblock as that shorter chapter last week messed with the plan's flow, so I had to make some last-minute changes to how I had wanted things to be written to make things work.

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And we are done! Would you believe me if I said I spent an hour working on the part where Lelouch laid into Tamaki? I wanted it to be as good as it could be. Considering the animal theme I had going when I just used shark once, I decided to change the entire thing into one big metaphor for how screwed Tamaki was. Why shark instead of wolf or dog? It came up in the Discord chat a while back, and it just popped into my head when I wrote this.

Also, on the polygamy thing, like Milly said, they have an emperor with over 100 consorts. Maybe there is a special exception for him as a sovereign monarch. Still, I'm going with the notion that Britannia doesn't care how many spouses you take as long as you can handle them.

And in case you thought I forgot, I did not. Nina's crush is on Nunnally, and well, that's its own can of worms. Yes, in canon, she's crushing on Lelouch's sister, but she does not know that. The barrier was Euphie being a royal. Here, Nunnally is much more approachable…on paper, as it's been established that Lelouch is super protective and not someone you want to be on the bad side of.

Lastly, Kallen and Lelouch have a table about their war, but one that was changed considering the situation. Kallen, as his second confidant, is someone who can speak freely with him and get more honest reactions out of him.