It's my fault.

All my fault.

The blood, the screams, the gunfire.

I'm such a fool; my geass went out of control during a terrible joke and now, my sister is trying kill the very people she had wanted to help.

Euphie is struggling to find more ammo. I have to put an end to this, or more will die. I get out of the Gawain and approach my sister. She looks up, noticing me. She smiled sweetly.

"Oh it's you; you're not Japanese, are you?" she said, her eyes still ringed with geass.

I hold my gun aloft, so it was level with her chest. At this range, at this time, there is no way I can miss.

And I don't.

My sister, my beloved sister, the first woman I loved, fell against the concrete, red blossoming on her chest, her smile still in place.

I'm frozen in place, as if my feet have taken root. I can't move, I can't bring myself to.

I hear machinery clanking. I can't mistake the sound, for only one Knightmare frame makes that noise. I look up in time, to see Suzaku get out and there's something in his hand-

BANG.

It's the impact that sends me down. The pain hits a moment later. I can feel my blood leak out of me, making me dizzy, weak and nauseated.

Suzaku shot me.

My best friend tried to kill me.

I hear a scream, but it's so far away...

It hurts so much...

Someone's propping me up. Turquoise eyes, red spiked hair.

Kallen...

My mask has been cracked, she can see my eye, but I don't care.

I- I want-

My hand reaches for her, only to grab her cheek. I feel moisture through my glove.

"K-Ka-"

Pain, pain, pain.

"-ah-l-"

I feel sick and I lurch forward involuntarily, feeling blood travel up my throat like bile and I cough it out, feeling the liquid clot and suffocate my throat.

I'm so tired, the pain is too much. I want to sleep... I want to sleep and I want to wake up from this nightmare.

Then-

Voices, faces, they swirl around me. Familiar and unfamiliar alike.

And through it all, a weight on my hand, keeping me anchored.

Tired...

Voices again, but only a few. I feel so weak, so tired. My eyes remain closed, hoping to drift back off.

No such luck, though.

One of the voices is raising its tone and volume. It hurts my ears, but there's not much I can do about it.

"- one of the children of the Britannian emperor?!"

That's what prompts me to open my eyes at last. The lighting made me squint to avoid going blind. The people have stopped talking now. I glance at them. Their outlines are blurry, my eyes still adjusting.

I tried to collect my memories, trying to remember why I was there, until I tried to sit up, only for searing pain to wrack my abdomen.

"That's right," I realize softly, "I was shot wasn't I?"

"You'll live," Tohdoh says.

... Tohdoh?!

I sit up with startled surprise, but stop after a second when the pain strikes me. Tamaki, Ohgi, Dietard and Kallen are there as well. And I become aware of the space around my head.

My mask! Where did it go?!

They've all seen my face now. Wonderful. I simply slump down again, feeling utterly drained.

"So," I say slowly, "you've seen who I am. And Tohdoh probably told you of my identity. I won't blame you if you decide to walk away."

I wouldn't blame them. I'm a Britannian prince and a child by all rights; why would they follow me now?

"After all you've done? No thanks," Diethard says smartly, "I've come too far for you to have to give up, Zero."

"Yeah, so what if you're a kid? Kallen is too, and she's our ace!" Tamaki exclaimed, "I won't lie, this is like some twist from a cheesy sci-fi manga, but you're the only one who can get Japan back for us!"

"You said it yourself: what's the point of knowing someone's face and past? What matters now is the present and the future," Tohdoh stated.

"...I'm fighting for Japan, my comrades, and Zero," she states, before glaring at me, "but not for your sake, understand?!"

!

They will all still fight. Even I'm surprised, but pleasantly so. A tiny smile settles on my face.

"Of course," I say softly.

Then,Ohgi, who kept silent through this, walks up to the bed, looking down at me with a solomn expression.

"I have a question for you, Le- I mean, Zero."

"It doesn't matter what you call me," I say, "just refer to me as 'Zero' in front of the others."

"Is the reason that you wore a mask because you wanted to hide the fact that you're Britannian royalty, or that you're a child?"

I say nothing, because I honestly don't know how to answer.

I see," Ohgi says simply before exiting.

Tohdoh, Dietard and Tamaki also follow him, Tamaki flashing me a thumbs-up sign. I swear, I'll never understand that man...

The only one remaining in the room is Kallen. When she looks at me, I avert my gaze. I know she's angry. I didn't exactly give her a good impression as Lelouch Lamperouge and learning I am Lelouch vi Britannia made her opinion even lower. I hear her sit down.

"You really had me fooled," she remarks, "I never would have imagined that you were Zero. Then again, with all the chess metaphors coming out of your mouth, you'd think I'd take a hint."

She makes a good point.

"Still," she continues, "I'll continue to fight under you, even if it disgusts me."

That's when I remember.

Euphie, my sister, she's dead.

I shot her. She's dead because of me.

I barely even notice the tears, or Kallen's voice.

"I shot Euphie," I say again and again, "I shot her."

Kallne is by my side, looking at me with a strange expression.

"Were... the two you close?" she asks.

"She was the first woman I ever loved," I more or less blurt.

"I-I'm sorry."

Pity.

I snort.

Wonderful.

"You only feel pity because you can't possibly imagine how the person feels," I retort.

Tears continue to fill my eyes, to my shame. "I don't- I-"

It was like back when I found out that Suzaku was the Lancelot pilot. I couldn't stop my tears then and I can't stop them now.

Then, I felt pressure on my bed. Kallen is sitting by me.

"What are you...?"

"Shut up before I change my mind," she says in a flat tone.

She takes a damp towel and began to wipe his lips, which is still had some dried blood caked on it. Her other hand smooths out his hair, but he doesn't stop her, it feels nice.

Suddenly, she sets down the rag and holds me to her in a tender hug. On almost unconscious impulse, I nuzzle up to her, burying my face in her collarbone. On response, she pinches my hair, causing slight pain on my skull. I wince slightly.

I don't care, though; I feel so safe, so warm, so cared for, it doesn't matter.

"Kallen," I murmur, sighing contentedly.

"Lelouch," she whispers back, as she buries her face into my hair.

I'm so content, I hope it never ends. I feel myself sink deeper into sleep, but just before I fall into sleep, I feel lips gently touch my forehead before they left...