Hi Everyone!

This is the second chapter I had prepared and ready to go. I've added a few things, removed a few things, edited a few things and corrected a few things.

This chapter i have tried put as much emotion into one of the sections, i think one of the rewrites i did, i think id almost cried at one point in time.

Somewhere in this chapter theres a passage ive had to in interpret because in the anime it wasnt very clear of what was happening so I've had to think of what they would have said.

Reviews:

Junedota:

Thanks for the feedback! I think there might be a few lines where i could describe where people are sitting within the church so it makes a bit more sense. As for Schneizel it was implied in one of the chapters earlier that Suzaku who was playing Zero broke the mind control because i believe Lelouch geassed Schneizel to "obey Zero"? Before Suzaku quit the job.

The other thing i would like to point out, is that this fanfic (aside to tell the after events) is about redemption and forgiveness for a couple of character (or find love?) and to try and over come that. It wont happen yet, but cracks will soon start appearing and the different choices these people make. It will affect the outcome of their story and the role the play in this fanfic

Chapter 18: Moving in

"You cannot be serious C.C?! How many times do I have to warn you not to do something so reckless?!"

Lelouch shouted at C.C while she was packing up her belongings into one of the white sac's, "I thought it was a good idea; instead I get to sleep in one of those beds, they must be so large and soft…." C.C sighed while in a daydreaming state

"And what about me?! Any consideration for me?"

"Well, it's not like you will be coming out much, though it would be a nice space to stay in and keep an eye on things."

/Flashback

"Now I think I've answered all your questions that you have thrown at me. I've paid my dues to my beloved." C.C looked back at the table that had been set up in memory for Lelouch

"Yes...thank you C.C….you have given us a bit more of an insight of what happened to my brother and the pain and anguish he went through...that was probably enough to last him a few lifetimes…." Nunnally, let go of C.C's hand, "What do you plan to do now C.C?" she asked

"I will go to where I cannot be found while staying in Japan; I'll come out when I need to."

"Have you had any contact with Zero?" Nunnally asked this and got a raised eyebrow from Suzaku who hadn't asked any questions, only staying silent the entire time.

"No I haven't, but I'm sure he will appear when he needs to, remember Zero is here to protect the peace. As long as someone is trying to destroy that peace, he will always be around."

C.C got up, from where she was sitting, she turned to Nunnally and bent down and kissed her forehead, "It was nice seeing you again Nunnally, you have grown into someone beautiful. I'm sure Lelouch would be very jealous when you find that someone special. Jeremiah, its time for us to go."

"C.C!" Nunnally grabbed onto C.C's hand, feeling the shape of it, 'I was right….C.C was playing Zero.'

"C.C this may be a bit sudden, but would you like to stay at the palace while you're here?"

/flashback end

"But still! You should have said no, instead of saying yes. Grrrrr…" Lelouch huffed as he left C.C on her own

'That silly boy, I partly said yes for your sake as well. It doesn't want to admit it, but he still really wants to see her after all this time.'

Nunnally Palace

Nunnally wasn't too sure what she felt after the wake, more questions had been raised, but for her, most of the answers she had been looked for had been answered which to some degree was a relief. Her sister Cornelia had locked inside her room. She had been crying for hours after the wake something she needed. Her misguided anger directed at Lelouch was misplaced and should have been looked towards their late father and what his true intentions were, which still no one knew what his real plan was.

There was the other cause of Suzaku, who seemed to be keeping more secrets then he was letting on, C.C was the same. Something happened between them and her father, but no one was willing to tell the full truth.

The doors to Nunnally's room opened, by the sound of the footsteps, it was no surprise who it was. "Are you finally to tell me the whole truth from what C.C had started, or will I have to ask her myself when she gets here."

"I still think it's a terrible idea having her stay here of all places, do you really that nothing will happen to you while she's here?" asked Suzaku

"I think it's a good place, at least I get to talk to her and she can tell me everything in private, about Charles's plan, and how all three of you were connected to it and what drove my brother down the path as he did. Unless you are ready to come clean about your activities when you had captured Lelouch."

Suzaku sat down on the bed with hands on his head, "I'll admit…...the months after digging through information and me coming across V.V and the logs, I was angry believing that Lelouch would do something so sinister to his sister to prolong his rebellion. But then I let my emotions get the better of me, as he always told me." His surprised Nunnally, never in the few years after taking the mask off, Suzaku had finally admitted to something he was wrong about and how he falsely accused Lelouch purposely killing her sister.

'He's finally moving on..after five years his finally admitting he was wrong.'

"The first time I saw Charles's geass is when I brought Lelouch to him as a bounty to gain my knighthood. I couldn't understand what was going on, how did he have a geass, and where did he get it from. At the time, I didn't know C.C true purpose, and the chance meeting she had with him, was it fate? Or was someone pulling the strings long before he was exiled. As for Charles' true plan, you will need to ask C.C, the only part of the plan I knew that Charles was going to activate something with c.c and would rewrite the entire world and something about removing the "masks" that people have when they lie and bringing back the dead. That is all I know."

He got up again and walked towards the door, "Kaguya, as well as a few members from the Chinese federation, are here to see you shortly, they are expected in about 20-30minutes. They have just arrived at the airport."

Nunnally could only smile at the comments Suzaku had just said; something beeped starling her. Her tablet that was on the left side of her wheelchair was the thing that had started it to beep. As she unlocked and looked at what had made the noise, an email had appeared again. She carefully read it and let out another great sigh, "Why must be now another meeting...and again with all the world leaders in person. " She read the agenda, she scrolled down to the bottom, her eyes widened for one of the final topics, "Geass...they finally have decided they want to know about it, I can understand why...the name has been shouted out have a dozen of times now, I was hoping I would get a bit more time to prepare for it, lets see...when is this meeting date."

She looked again at the date and the location," This location...that's a little odd... I wonder why they would like to hold a meeting there and another thing...Why have they invited Zero?! I must warn C.C of this when she comes in later this afternoon, but first, I better find my brother about this." Nunnally started to wheel herself out the room; she was going to have to do this herself till Jeremiah arrived, which was hopefully was going to be when C.C and the other person in white would come along. She hadn't much about him, only that he was similar to her, he was a code bearer who had lost his voice.

Cornelia's room

Cornelia sat silently outside on the balcony that connected to her room; she had become heartbroken. Not only did she find out that Lelouch had no intention in harming her, only to find out that her father's code bearer had pulled the string to get her killed. She was mad and angry, but at the same time, she was sorrowful. Her half brother's heart had torn in two, she was thinking how it must have been the saddest thing he ever had to experience, killing the half-sister that he had a shy crush on.

Before the event that exiled them both, she knew from the very start that Euphie had some kind of crush on Lelouch, even Lady Marianne somewhat supported the relationship between the two, although there was backlash from the very sweet and caring Nunnally.

As she continued to gaze into the ever slow pace of Tokyo getting back into its day to day routine, the sun ever slowly starting to set, there was something placed on her shoulder. "you need to get some sleep your highness I think you have had enough crying for one day. I must apologie for not coming, but I had to help everyone move back in."

"I know.. But I can't stop thinking how far he had thought. It's like he knew every move aside from dying, where we all part of his plan and his brothers plan as well? What do you think Gilford?" The man standing behind her was Gilford, a retired knightmare pilot who had lost part of his eyesight in his right eye when he was under the spell of Lelouch and protected him during the first FELJIA bombing. He was unable to fight and watched helplessly as the world lost to Lelouch.

After a few year's he had then proposed to Cornelia mostly in secret, only a few people knew of there engagement including Nunnally. She was overjoyed as she had helped Gilford find a place to propose to her, which was during an exclusive garden party back in Britannia. Cornelia was shocked, and even before thinking about it, she said, "Yes." But now after a few days, she was thinking about the backlash or the talking behind her back because she was marrying a normal knight under her command which in a lot of cases would be a "bad look." However, Nunnally said she wouldn't care as long as she was happy, which in her eyes were the most important thing.

"I thought you said you wouldn't be driving them anymore?" asked Cornelia, she pulled Gilford's hair down making his face come closer to hers, they both pecked each other's lips, "Piloting them and driving them are two different things. How are you holding up?" Gilford moved to Cornelia's side, pulling up a chair as she forced her head on his shoulder.

"You can tell me what you are thinking, you know? I am your partner."

"I know that... I just need time to process all of this, its been too much for me today, I just need to relax."

"Sleep would be a nice way to relax or a nice bath.." Gilford whispered in her ear.

"fine you win, lets' go."

Nunnally found her older brother and Kannon in one of the living rooms have some coffee or tea; he too was looking at something important. "Brother! It seems the world leaders would like to hold a meeting again." Schneizel raised an eyebrow as Kannon rushed to Nunnally's side and started to push her wheelchair through the maze of furniture.

"No, I haven't received such information, may I have a look at the invite sister?" As Nunnally got in reach, she gave him the tablet. He read through the topics, "Hmmmmm, so the power struggle for Geass begins...and they want Zero to talk about it, what an interesting choice… I guess they are still scared of C.C to some extent. Well, l it was only a matter of time really, both Lelouch, our father and possibly Lady Marianne had a geass to some extent. I guess it's almost like a family curse to some extent; even C.C offered you a geass during the memorial today, you were good to keep your nerve and say no to her. But what do you think your geass would have been dear sister?"

Nunnally was a bit shocked at the question, "I...I...I don't know what it would be, but I guess an excellent ability would be to make peace..and for people to follow it, I know it would be forced...but I still think it would be helpful."

Schneizel stood up and walked over to his sister and queen and kissed her on the forehead, "Even though I still think it's forced. I think that would be a wonderful geass. You could bring everyone together and force them to make peace with other countries...not they had done so already but...just a bit more of a push to make sure they get the message. But it seems like with this happening the EU might consult me about this, Im sorry my sister I'm going to have to make a few phone calls and see if I can get invited to this gathering...sounds like you will need an extra person on your side to help you with this case. When is the meeting going to happen?"

"In 1 and a half weeks unless it gets called sooner."

"Excuse me, sorry for the interruptions your majesty and your highness, but Lady Kaguya has arrived and is waiting for you in the dining area, may I take you there your majesty?" A maid had appeared from the doorway, she was wearing a standard maids outfit, had two green eyes and her hair was jet black, she to was Japanese the same as Sayoko, but was a little shyer than the rest.

"Yes, of course, Yuko. Could we swing towards the kitchen and get some tea for myself and her?"

"Yes, of course, your Majesty." Yuko went over to Nunnally's wheelchair and started to move it, dodging past all the furniture and out of the doorway.

Schneizel scratched his forehead, "My my….this meeting with all the leaders it was going to be interesting, saying the least, even more so when Zero being added to the mix…. I can only think about what the leaders are going to do after this meeting."

"What do you mean?" asked Kannon

"Well depending on how much information Zero gives us about geass, it could spark a new type of arms race...a geass arms race, something even more powerful than a knightmare or a weapon. C.C only gave us a little bit of info about it, and even Jeremiah's one was interesting. But imagine what Zero will tell us about it, and who knows...maybe something else that has been hiding in the dark will finally come to light…..this is will be interesting, to say the least." Schneizel got up and stretched, "Finally, something that might be testing my skill, it been ever so mundane since zero/Lelouch passed away."

"Hello Kaguya, how are you doing?" Kaguya turned around to see Nunnally and one of her maids pushing her while she had a tray of tea and some savories next to the pot of tea."

"I'm not doing too bad, sorry for not attending the wake, I had business with the Tanzi and a few others of there council….but otherwise are you alright? I heard about the battle." the maid at pushed Nunnally into her spot at the table and assisted her in getting the tea off the tray and on to the table. She then poured both ladies a cup of tea and stepped away, hanging around near the door.

"It was frightful, to say the least…...a lot of people lost their lives, but also a lot were saved, thanks to the effort of Zero where ever Zero came from...I know a lot of people are not happy with Zero, but this time we needed Zero and Zero arrived just in the nick of time. Although I am a bit surprised the Zero this time is a female."

"Female?" exclaimed kaguya, "Zero is a female?!"

"Yes, this time around Zero is a girl, she seems to be very nice as well." Nunnally smiled, "The wake was ok as well, it was mostly peaceful aside from Suzaku kicking up a fuss again, and it was nice that C.C was finally able to say goodbye for once, and the stories she told about Lelouch, some of those were quite harrowing."

"What….C.C came?"

"Yep, she was somewhat invited, but I didn't know how to get a message from her, I can only guess she heard it from Jeremiah. It -"

"Wait you let her into the wake?!" Kaguya cutting on Nunnally, "But don't you know how dangerous she is! I mean didn't you hear her threats she made to you over live TV?! You cannot be serious."

"Kaguya." Nunnally grabbed her hand, "I believe she won't do anything bad, I think shes just a lost soul wondering what to do now that Lelouch was gone. This wake gave her a chance to say goodbye; she never had one after Lelouch died; she was hunted like an animal. I can see why Jeremiah took her in for such a period; it must have been hard on her." Kaguya gave Nunnally a blank look on her face, "I suppose you don't know what had happened after Lelouch's death, here let me give you a quick recap of events."

And so Nunnally gave Kaguya a rundown of events that had happened before the attack, and during the wake, Kaguya was shocked at all the news she had been given by Nunnally, she was even more surprised that Nunnally hadn't been exhausted from all the events.

"Kaguya, what do you think of the world leaders event that they have invited us to? I think the world finally wishes to know about the secrets of Geass and what power it beholds, but I'm scared it will spark something new, a new arms race."

"Yes I know...adn we can't lie to them either, I will have to talk to Ohgi about it, seeing as he is the most vocal about it and the closest to it as well. What about his highness Schneizel, I didn't see that he got an invite."

"Yes I told my brother about that, he will be talking to people in the EU for an invitation. His presence has been strong over there with helping with the unification of the EU union. I'm sure if he asks he will be extended an invite to this meeting. But I can't shake this terrible feeling somehow."

"I wouldn't worry about it Nunnally; I'm sure its nothing.

A few days later, outside Nunnally's palace

A car arrived in front of Nunnally's house, one of the gate guards checking the identity of the driver, after a nod of the head from the gate guard, the gates opened allowing the car going through.

"This is still a terrible idea, although it might prove to be useful. Jeremiah, how has your few days been while looking after Nunnally, anything I should be concerned about?"

"No, you shouldn't be your highness I have checked all the files of all the current employees as well as their backgrounds, they are all clear from what I have seen. And I must say here highness is somewhat excited about you both coming to stay over for how long we need. But sadly, my role will be cut short; I believe Sayoko will be arriving back from her last few treatments. Dr. Rakshata was personally looking after her, I don't know what machines they were using, but it seemed to have sped up the few processes from what seemed to be a long period recovery to only a few short days."

"That is very troubling yet good at the same time; I guess we have no idea what kind of process they are using?"

"I'm afraid not your highness, they are keeping it quiet about it, and it seems only a handful of doctors know about this as well. Ahh, here we are, home sweet home."

The rolled up to the front door, Jeremiah got out and opened the doors both for C.C and Lelouch in his white outfit. C.C, on the other hand, was wearing a dress, it was white with a polka dot pattern on it with different colors. She was wearing flats that were black. Lelouch got the bags they needed for their little stay as Jeremiah opened the doors for them.

It was nothing but spectacular as the entered the main entrance, the walls were a light yellow color with windows that were painted white, to one side the hallway was lined with pictures, flowers and other artwork that hung around the place, you could almost see the other end of the hall with it being so flat so it would be easy to get about in Nunnally's wheelchair.

"I think this place looks a lot better than when you used to be emperor, at least Nunnally has got style…" Lelouch rolled his eyes as he heard the comment. Jeremiah guided them to the main living area.

"Welcome to both of you." There sitting in her wheelchair was Nunnally, on the sofa to the right of her was Cornelia, standing by her was Suzaku and to the couch of the left was Schneizel.

'Could this get any worse.' thought Lelouch as he tried to keep his eyes down

"Hello Nunnally, and to the rest of you, thank you for inviting us over for a little stay, better then where we are staying, Lelouch's safe houses were never that well suited for staying for long periods." chimed in C.C, "May we take a seat?"

"Of course." responded Nunnally, "I must say C.C, that dress, it's not what you usually wear." C.C smiled, and she turned around.

"There's no need for me to wear boring old clothes any more, I not a wanted criminal in any one's eyes, so why should I need to wear one. My partner, on the other hand, likes to keep it plain as you can see." They both sat down, Jeremiah had taken position behind Nunally, Lelouch was feeling the pressure almost sweating to a point. One wrong move from himself, and it would bring everything down. He wanted to look into Nunnally's eyes and gaze at her from the front, to see what she looked like close up. He had never seen her face close aside from watching TV; it was something very different than seeing her face.

"where is Sayako?" asked C.C, "She is going for her second last treatment, the technologies they have built is something extraordinary, she will be later this afternoon. My servants will start taking your bags to your room, be assured they won't be looking through your belongings, they are very close to me and won't do a thing."

"Well that's good to hear...and I can see everyone else has come to join us.."

"Yes... it's not like I could stop them...C.C would you like to see the garden?" C.C eyes lit up, but she had felt something cold coming from her side, she assumed it was Lelouch telling her not to leave his side. Otherwise, it would be like giving wolves dinner on a silver platter.

"sure Nunnally, I would love to see the rest of the house...it already looks better then what Lelouch did to his one. Shall we?" C.C got up with Jeremiah following up behind her as she pushed Nunnally. C.C took one last look at Lelouch as she left the room; she could feel the cold stare as he continued to look down.

'That C.C...' Lelouch almost let out a snarl as he was left alone with the three people he didn't want to be left behind with. "So you're the mysterious partner that Miss C.C said in the wake. I must say she did describe you down to the last detail and it was accurate." It was Lelouch's older brother who had started the conversation to fill the silence in the room. "my two burning questions are, how old are you and how did you obtain your geass?."

Lelouch tapped his finger on how to answer his brother who had asked him a personal question; he couldn't ignore the questions because they already knew from the wake that he had been listening into, that he could speak but only with something connected to his larynx. Lelouch but one finger up to give an indication he needed a second.

"By all means, take your time..we have nowhere to rush to while Nunnally gives your partner a bit of a tour and I'm sure they would like to chat a little as well." Lelouch when into one of his pockets and pulled out his voice changer, he then moved the voice changer under the white cloth and stuck it to where his larynx was.

"I am a lot older the C.C is." the robotic voice echoed through the silent room, "I have witnessed a rise and fall of civilizations, I have seen the fall and rise of many leaders and the people around them. I've had my geass for a long time... I have done terrible things with it, that is why I no longer have a voice, I do not wish to hear it anymore, the vile orders I gave people, I despise it."

"How did you become an immortal in the first place?"

"I was tricked...by my code bearer...i was played like a fool and only realized what I had done before the code was fully transferred over to me, I slashed my voice box, and in the end, it never healed after my immortalification. And so, over a thousand years, I roamed the lands, and tried to end my life so many times...however it occurred to me that I was never going to be able to die. So, I lived on the land, watching the world pass by me. It was only till a few years ago, I saw her, dressed in white, and she carefreely walked down the dusty roads. My code started to blink, and as I turned to see the woman once more, on her forehead, something was blinking as well. She then rushed into an alleyway, and I followed her.

When I caught her gaze, she directly looked at me and saw my eyes. I grabbed my pen and paper and told her who I was and that we were the same...and I guess from that moment we fell in love because we knew we were meant to be together because we would see the end of time it's self before we die out."

"So, a fairytale beginning, I guess?"

"Yes, you could say so, and so I have been following her ever since and her goals."

"Her goals?" Schneizel lifting an eyebrow

"Yes ...like everyone she wants peace, and so I follow her to help her make that happen, this small world has had enough of bloodshed. However, those who wish to disturb that peace will be dealt with swiftly and quietly from the shadows for that is all we are meant to be. Shadows."

"How are code bearers made or created? What purpose do they serve?" asked Cornelia.

"That I am unable to answer clearly."

"clearly?"

"Yes, the history of Geass is a funny one that no one noes the full truth of geass. From what I had read and what I have seen, before rising of man, there was another race of human before us or even might have lived among us..."

Out in the garden

"C.C can you tell me everything?" asked Nunnally as C.C took her seat, "How much is everything Nunnally? Or what could you be looking in the "everything " that I am about to tell you, there are many, many things that could be said about Lelouch's and his plan. But I think you want to know about the great plan and what happened before Lelouch became emperor?"

"Yes... I want to know what made my brother do this to himself..."

"After I had regained my memory and the final confrontation with Charles and his plan...this is what the deal was."

/flashback

"So this is finally the end." Lelouch sat down and looked at the oddly shaped sky, "its finally over, my father's plan has finally come to an end." Lelouch let off a deep sigh. C.C walked over and sat behind Lelouch her back next to his, "Well done Lelouch, you have stopped your fathers plan, and with that, you have stopped any chance of the past repeating its self, the people who were once dead will no longer have a chance to stand once more. Your not sad that you will never be able to see your mother again? Or your precious little Euphie?" C.C asked sarcastically

"Once the dead are dead, they should stay dead, no one should be forced to do anything or to accept anything. What my father wanted to do...push something on to people when they should able to choose what they should be able to do. That is the gift I have brought upon to this world, the gift of free will." C.C laughed almost like a giggle

"You almost sound like someone important." C.C chuckled again, Lelouch stood up with C.C almost falling on her back while laughing, Lelouch offered his hand as C.C accepted it, getting up. However, there was one obstacle left in their way.

"Now what will you do Suzaku..who has seen what my fathers real intention was, what the real conflict was about, just not some piety squabble overpower, but a chance to follow his dream."

"While I feel no regret for you father..there is still something you must do." With a blink of an eye, Suzaku stuck his sword up to Lelouch's neck, "How will you atone for your sins?"

"My sins? What would my sins be Suzaku? Am I fighting for freedom? Releasing those who were chained? Giving hope where no hope was found? Everything I have done, I have done for this world, to free itself from my father's grasp and his unworldly rule and you tell me to atone for my sins?" Lelouch raised his voice

"You played everyone like a fool! You used that geass of yours to cause death and destruction if you didn't like something you used that to make it go your way. You wanted revenge, and because of that, revenge thousands are dead because of you! You killed the woman I loved! You sent people to their deaths! You-"

"May I remind you Suzaku that I LOVED her as well!" Lelouch cutting off Suzaku, "Do you know how I felt after that order! I wished I could take it all back, but I couldn't, I had to live with my consequence, but may I remind you Suzaku I was playing as well by my father's brother V.V. It was him that started that, not me! I couldn't do anything against her; I was about to knock my king piece over and admit defeat, but no! I had to continue because that's what people expected me to do, I was the light they needed, and I was the symbol that sparked hope in the eyes of Japanese people. And it would have been easier if you had accepted my proposal, but no... you had to do it your way and look to where it got us!"

Lelouch moved and clutched the swords hilt pulling it away from his throat, "You are just as guilty as I am Suzkau, you may not have realized it, but you have stained your blood just as much as I have with making a deal with my father." C.C stood by Lelouch's side looking at the exchange of the two old friends

"So, what will you do now, Suzaku? Now that you have seen that time will keep moving forward instead of going backward, are you going to continue to threaten or strike me down with your sword?" There was an angry look on this face, the same face it looked when he was serious

"No I won't be." Suzkau removed his sword from Lelouch's grasp. "But you are going to fix this mess, Lelouch! Look at the world now; everything is in chaos! The entire world has now gotten involved, and it will lead its self into ruin, and then no one will win! What about the world you wished for Nunnally? What about that single dream that you had to turn into for her?! Is this the world you want her to see and to prove that no peace can come after this event!"

"don't you dare talk to me about my sister's happiness. I know what I was doing in the back on my mind and what she wanted. Do you know how angry I was that my father pulled her back into royalty for the year I was brainwashed. Do you think she was happy there, Suzaku?!" Suzaku was caught off guard by the question and took a step back.

"And after all that, she deserves better, then to be treated like second hand. And therefore, you will help me fix that while at the same time. I will atone for my sins." C.C and Suzaku looked shocked at the geass eyed Lelouch

"I will make it that the entire world will hate me; instead of everyone else, I will make it that they will have no choice to hate so much that they will be distracted. And once it's come to an end, Nunnally will be crowned the next successor so she will have the power to turn this world that she always wanted, that I could never give to her. And you Suzaku will be part of that catalyst to change this world into a new one."

/flashback end

"And that's what made him turn to that decision, guilt, wanting to make things better and the mounting pressure from Suzaku. Id almost blame him for breaking the back of Lelouch. Otherwise, I think he would have turned this world around as well, in the right direction and not the wrong one where people thought it would turn into. But we will never know that now, will we?

I'm curious Nunnally, the stuff the said in the paper about you after Lelouch's death, did they happen?"

Nunnally let out a sigh, "I was in a bad place after Lelouch's death and funeral…. some of the articles were true, and I don't know how it leaked."

/flashback

Cornelia raced through the part of the temporary housing in Japan hearing the news of what happened to Nunnally. She was currently set up in a private house located not far from where she did her schooling. Cornelia turned a corner only to see Sayoko come out of it.

"Sayoko, how is she?! I didn't realize what had happened, and I only heard the new after cleaning up another mess, the Britannia family is having a power struggle of who will become the next Emperor of Britannia."

"See for your self..." Sayoko left the door open just enough to stick her head through the gap between the two doors. There lying on a bed with many tubes and a heart monitor system lay Nunnally, it had only been four days after the funeral of her brother. She had collapsed while in her wheelchair, and a buzz started to spread to the other royal family members of their younger sisters health.

"Nunnally..." Cornelia stepped in, but Sayoko grabbed her by the arm, "She needs rest...its not as simple…..she has a broken heart, her brother meant everything to her, he was her world and now that master Lelouch is gone that hole has just become bigger, she needs rest. The royal doctor was flown in from Britannia; he was the one put her in a medical coma for her to rest."

"I see...her condition is that bad..."

"Yes, and I expect it to get much worse after she recovers...she needs to be ready for her coronation as well as her other siblings trying to sabotage her and her position. It's going to be a long road for her to overcome."

"Well, I wouldn't worry too much…..as much as I hate to say it, I'm glad my older brother is not in the running another more. I think Lelouch did that to him for a reason because he knew after his death his brother would go in fangs bearing."

"Yes I agree…..but what about yourself Cornelia would yo-"

"Absolutely not." Cornelia said quickly, "Lelouch would want it to be with her; she's the only person who can change everything."

"Then we must allow her to rest and grieve with her and help her. How about you Cornelia? How are you feeling?"

Cornelia took a long drawn out sigh, "I'm ok, I'm still trying to process all of this, I'll have time to grieve when Nunnally is feeling better, and she has her place as the new queen, then ill grieve."

"I understand, how long till Nunnally has to go for her coronation?"

"She has one and a half months, one month to recover and the half the month to learn everything for the coronation and ceremony."

"Your highness?" Cornelia turned around and so did Sayoko, "Dr Masco, its been awhile.. I wish it was under better situations…."

"Yes I can understand, I know how much she means to you….and I will try and get her back into the best shape I can. If you will excuse me, I have a patient to see." He walked past Sayoko and Cornelia and entered the room.

"Cornelia is something wrong?" Sayoko asked Cornelia, "Something is not right about him….Dr Masco usually tries to make a joke in serious situations..and also."

"Now look what we have were, two very beautiful ladies waitin to greet me." Both of them turned around only to see another man identical to the one they had just left it. White doctors coat, brown pants, a briefcase in his right hand, an old jumper that had seen better days and a teethy grin that was crooked.

Cornelia and Sayoko instinctively opened the doors, only to find the fake doctor holding a syringe in one hand while the other one was lifting a piece of Nunnally's medical robe. He looked up in surprise and looked speechless. Before he could do anything three throwing stars found their way to his body, two to the chest and one to the temple. There was a loud thump as the man's body hit the floor while his head bounced off the window frame.

Cornelia had only half drawn her gun as the man's body fell, she looked with shock and amazement at the skill that Sayako had displayed. The real Doctor Masco looked to see what had happened as well as several other soldiers who had heard the thump came rushing in.

"Well, that serves him right, I'm the star of this show." As he understood the situation.

/flash back end

"That wasn't the worst of it, I still had a few attempts at my life, my condition detreated just after I became queen, but I was able to bounce back. I only now have nightmares of that day now, but I'm able to overcome them now as long as I wake up in time...that image still haunts me...how did you get over his death C.C?"

"I cried a lot...but I stopped feeling sorry for myself, it was that idiot who decided that without my better judgment. I think after a year I stopped feeling sad and crying; I have someone new now...who will never die. The ring is just a reminder of what he missed out of…..he had the power to change everything, and he changed it, which I think he chose the right one. Now shall we head back inside? I think my husband might need a bit of relief; it's been an hour and a half. Thanks for the tour Nunnally"

"Yes...I'm a bit worried as well, to say the least."

'You have no idea Nunnally who is behind that mask, and how annoyed he must be right now.'

After Nunnally and C.C came out from the tour, only the man in white had been left behind twirling his thumbs. The man in white known as R.R said that something had come up and all three of them had to go, prompting them to get up and leave. Nunnally apologized and took them to there room with the help of Jeremiah. Lelouch took very close note of Jeremiah as they were walking down the hallways, Jeremiah giving off gestures of safe zones of things to watch out for. Nunnally then showed them there room they would be staying in.

As they walked in, they noticed the size of the large room; it had a huge bed, a view that was breathtaking looking down from Tokyo, their private bathroom and a few other bits and pieces. Nunnally told them that dinner was around 7 pm and was usually with her sister and sometimes Suzaku. Nunnally noted if they didn't want to come down, she could get food sent up. C.C accepted the offer while she said R.R would have his meal up here and explained he didn't like showing his face, Nunnally said it wasn't a problem and that she would get Jeremiah to bring it to him.

After leaving them alone, C.C flopped onto the bed, "Oh yesssss." she cried "this is the bed I have been waiting for after all these years." With arms stretched out, she looked at Lelouch who moved to the window. The hill which they stood on look down on the rebuilt Tokyo, he looked down at the still-rebuilding city, C.C got up and went behind Lelouch, "looking down of what once was your home?"

"Yes, it's grown a lot since it was destroyed. How much did you tell Nunnally?"

"No much just the basics what she needed to know, she also told me what happened to her, it seems like all the news articles were true. She nearly did die after your death." Lelouch rolled up his hand, making it into a fist, C.C saw this and put her hand over his fist outstretching it again. "I know you must think this is your fault, but please take in account you knew this would happen, you didn't know the extent of how bad it would be. So please don't do anything reckless, I'm serious." Lelouch let out a small cackle, C.C rolled her eyes, "Yes I know this might be ironic me telling you this, but people catch you and see your face, who knows what complications this might have."

Lelouch turned around, facing C.C, "I know what you mean, and I think I can be a lot more careful when it comes to this kind of situation." However, Lelouch had a different idea in mind.

Sayoko, exhausted and tired, walked through the front door. For the past week, she had been undertreatment to repair her broken bones after the attack on Nunnally's airship, the treatment hadn't been so painful, but it was moving that had been the hardest thing to do. She had to use a walking stick for a few days so that she could go and support Nunnally at Lelouch's wake which turned up something she did know and didn't know. But more importantly it was Jeremiah who she didn't trust, she could understand the reasoning behind it, but the timing of it all seemed a little suspicious and now with C.C moving in, the timing it seemed like to go like clockwork.

"Lady Sayoko, welcome back home." the sound of someone's voice snapped her out of her spell, there bowing her head was one of the sixteen staff she had hired. "Thank you very much Miss Camalita, I hope everything has been ferrying well?"

"Yes it has been, but shouldn't you still be resting, I know the treatment was going well, but this…..well…. it surprises me."

"I am fine, may I ask where her majesty is?"

"Yes, of course, she is currently in the dining area with C.C, Jeremiah, Suzaku and her highness Cornelia. Her brother had to attempt some business elsewhere and will be not joining us; however, he will be back in the next day or to."

"Thank you, could you please ask Mr. Cooper to take my bags up into my room, even though I feel better I've been asked to take it easy for the next few days. I will be going to see her highness."

"Of course I will notify him promptly, it's good your back." she bowed, and Sayoko bowed back. She went off to the dining area, as she got closer to the door instead of silence, there was laughter coming from the area, which was something unusual. They only time Nunnally laughed if someone did something clumsy or someone had told her a joke.

Sayoko opened one of the doors and went through, there at the end of the table, was Nunnally, holding her stomach as she tried to contain her laughter. Jeremiah was also laughing, and a few of the awaiting staff were also trying to hold their giggles, Sayoko sighed smiling at the fact that everyone was having a bit of a laugh, Sayoko looked to the other end and saw the person who had caused the overflowing of laughter, C.C.

Sayoko stood there until one of the awaiting maids saw her, she then quickly nudged the person next to her who had noticed who was standing at the door, she too quickly straightened up. It was only then that the rest following with the rest of the laughter slowing down. Jeremiah looked to why the other two stopped laughing and realized why. "Wel-welcome back, Sayoko!" he said surprised.

Nunnally wiping her tears from her eyes, looked at the direction, "Sayoko you're back!" C.C had also stopped to look in the direction of the door. Nunnally wheeled herself just in front of Sayoko, Sayoko lent down and hugged her. "Welcome home sayoko...but aren't you a bit early?" She asked

"they healed a bit quicker than expected too; I'm not that old to spend a lot of time regaining my footing. But it seems you are going well by the sounds of it."

"Oh, yes! C.C has been telling us funny stories all evening, some of them are over the top that I couldn't help it. But it's good to see you are going well again." Nunnally gave an innocent-looking smile

"I know its good to be home as well." Sayoko eyed Jeremiah like an animal looking at its prey, Jeremiah noticed the look and gulped at the site of it. "If you don't mind me, Nunnally, I need to speak to Jeremiah alone for a little while. Miss Camalita could you please come in and help her Majesty for a little bit." Without any noticeable footsteps, Miss Camalita came through the door, "Of course Sayoko, your Majesty if I may take you back to your place." Miss Camalita then got behind Nunnally and started to move her back to her position at the table.

"Now Jeremiah if you would please." Sayoko exited with Jeremiah scrambling behind her; they walked in silence until they entered one of the meeting areas, Jeremiah closed the door behind him as Sayoko took a few more steps into the room. "You have my thanks for taking care of Nunnally in my absence, that was very kind of you to rush to her aid. As well as coming to fight when Ares first appeared."

"You're more the welcome Sayoko; it was my honor once again to serve someone under Lady Marianne, especially one of her children that she loved dearly. Although I do not understand why you have been a little fierce to me. Have I done something wrong that I should have corrected, if so then-"

"It's not that Jeremiah." cutting him off, "Then what is it then Sayoko?" Sayoko turned to face him, "It's the timing I'm not too sure of it. I understand why you chose to hide C.C and his request. But the battle, you never showed up with Anya only with that weapon to appear again. And now with C.C moving in, it almost seems like you know something bad is happening and you are trying to put the pieces in place before it does go bad."

Jeremiah looked stunned, Sayoko was right, 'has she figured everything out? That's impossible; there is no way. I know she is smart and cunning but is this where it all goes wrong.' "Won't push further, but it is for Nunnally's safety I shall leave it. However, if I do uncover the truth or something unforgiving happens to her, I won't be afraid to tell Suzaku and the others." She walked right past him and closed the door behind him.

"You did a good job, Jeremiah." Jeremiah, not feeling any fear because he was part cyborg, almost jumped out of his skin. He looked to where the voice had come from, coming from behind the curtain, still dressed in white was Lelouch. "Your highness!" Jeremiah tried to whisper as best as he could with his surprise. "I didn't see you there!"

"It wasn't your fault, Sayoko is smart; it was only a matter of time before she figured something was up, you did well keeping your mouth silent. But now we know that she knows something is up, we will need to be a bit more careful around." Lelouch to left the room, only leaving Jeremiah surprised in the dark.

After Sayoko's talk, most things had returned to normal; everyone had returned to there quarters aside from the staff who were doing their final checks. Jeremiah had retreated from the mansion back to where Anya was, just so she wasn't lonely. Nunnally had gone to bed as well, mainly talking with Sayoko about the next few days as well as with some leaders from what he had heard. He had heard from Jeremiah that all the world leaders were planning to meet as well as the UFN, he had been unable to listen to the location of the event only to hear that Zero will need to make an appearance. Instead of C.C going, he would boing. Instead, the only thing he would need was a voice changer to make his voice to sound a bit more like C.C, which she thought was funny.

Lelouch looked at his watch; it was just after 1 am and everything was at peace, he was going to do something that C.C had told him not to, which was to see his sister. After hearing that what had happened to Nunnally was true, as well as the night terrors that she suffered now and then. He felt responsibility to change that, so tonight he was planning to do something.

He removed the blanket that was covering himself only to discover that C.C had tightly latched onto his arm. After a bit of moving around, he was able to free his arm, he put on some slippers hoping to minimize any noise he could make as he walked around. He opened the door quietly as he looked around the room and saw C.C peacefully sleeping there, he closed the door once more thinking everything would be right. However, he had failed to notice that as he closed the door, two yellow eyes had been fixated on him as he closed it.

"You idiot Lelouch."

After making his way through the quiet mansion, dodging any guards that might have been in place, Lelouch finally made it to Nunnally's room. He looked at the two massive doors that stood in his way, he touched the handle and pushed gently on it, it lowered as the handle mechanism hit the block that was keeping it from going further. He pushed the door with little strength has he slowly opened it, making enough room just for him, he then quickly and quietly closed the door. He turned and there, lying still in the night with the moonlight fading in, it was almost like a fairy tale scene. Lelouch went over to the bed, tiptoeing across the floor; it wasn't wood, which was good for him as it didn't creak. He carefully made his way over to her bed and found an open spot where he could sit.

He sighed as he got a better look at her face, her face had become more mature than five years ago, it looked like a spitting image of their mother, except for the black hair it was still light brown with a mix of blonde in it, her arms fully grown out where long and slender, with her nails done to the point of perfection, he had noticed since the UFN meeting attack she had grown taller being around 170cm. Lelouch let out a sigh, 'She's grown...she's grown a lot after these five years.' Lelouch thought to himself. He continued to look at her, he wanted to feel her face, grab on to her hand and never let it go. He wanted to hug her one last time.

Nunnally stirred prompted Lelouch to almost jump out of bed, thinking she was going to wake up, but instead she started to toss in turn in her sleep violently, she began to murmur in her sleep. Lelouch looked at Nunnally in her disturbed state, 'this must be one of her night terrors C.C told me about. And this is what I came to fix.'

Lelouch moved his hand and took her hand, Lelouch's code lit up inside of his palm, and closed his eyes.

"Hoooooray!" Lelouch opened his eyes only to see what could be described as a celebration; he looked around to see what everyone was a celebrating about, it was then he noticed afloat in the middle of the road.

"I know what this is, this is the day I died..." he tried going through the crowd, only for his hand to pass through the person he was going to get past. He shocked him but made him realize he was in Nunnally's dream and that normal touch and feel wouldn't be the same, mustering enough courage he went through the crowd, the feel he got, was almost like a ghost passing through people. As he got closer and closer to the road, he could hear the crowd even louder. He got out of the crowd and onto the street, to his surprise was Nunnally. But instead of her in a wheelchair, there she stood standing tall, crying. He turned to the float he could see that she was cradling his head in her lap, as she cried over it, shouting at his deceased body tears streaming out of eyes like an uncontrollable flood. And standing above him was Suzaku dressed as Zero.

Lelouch went over to where the Nunnally was and stood next to her, once he got next to her, it all went white, and it changed from his death to his funeral. There he saw everyone who cared about him the most. Nunnally wearing black, hunched over crying more, she had a vale covering her face, Lelouch could only see tears as it matched with the steady pace of rain. Cornelia was standing next to her holding her hand and an umbrella in the other hand. She too was also wearing black, not as emotional as Nunnally but still, she was crying.

"This is all my fault. This is all my fault. This is all my fault." Lelouch looked towards Nunnally standing next to him, repeating the line over and over again. It was guilt, Lelouch knew that Nunnally had blamed herself from his death, and this is what she was dreaming about, her guilt that she drove him down this path. Thinking that wish of a "peaceful world" could come by sheer willpower. However, this wish came with a cost, his life.

The space changed again, turning white all around them, it didn't change to anything else just white, like the same time when he shared a memory about C.C about her past. Nunnally was still sobbing, in an attempt to make it stop, Lelouch took her hand. The white spaced changed again, this time it was a valley full of flowers, the sun was shining with a few clouds in the sky.

Nunnally looked to her left feeling the grip Lelouch had put on. "Lelouch...?" unable to contain her excitement she hugged him, "Lelouch you came back to me! You're alive." Lelouch didn't know what to say, he embraced her back, clutching her tightly. He smiled at Nunnally who was jumping up at down in his grasp. He didn't want to let go of her, he didn't want to let go of this moment. Because what he was going to say next would lead to disappointment and confusion.

"Nunnally, I'm not alive." the bouncing Nunnally stopped bouncing and looked at him funny, with a mix of disappointment, "You're in a dream Nunnally, a nightmare per say, reliving the same moment of me that you feel guilty of, your wish that you desired most. "peace."

I am here to tell you that your wish, wasn't the thing that made me go down this path that led me to my death. It was my own choice that led me down the path of my death; I know that you have heard from others what happened. But I'm here to tell you that you shouldn't feel guilty, but you should enjoy life. I know that I will miss many things in the future, but keep in mind Nunnally, I will watch over you to make sure you enjoy every second of it."

"But Lelouch if I had never told you that wish, things would have been the same, just us two and Sayoko living in the world together, that's all I wanted in life! For us to be happy, a family that was once broken be whole again!" she shouted, "Euphie wouldn't have died, Shirley wouldn't have died and the countless others who died in the process!" Lelouch grabbed both on Nunnally's hands

"Yes, that may be true, but what about all the good things that have happened, you got reunited with your sister's again, you made new friends, and you got to go home for a little while…."

"Yes, but it came at a cost! I lost the most important thing ever... I lost my brother someone who is my real relative, not like my half brothers or sisters, my real blood brother! And for that, I can never forgive myself... that I told him that wish..."

Lelouch tightened his grip, "I think that it would have ended the same way, what our father was doing to everyone, do you think you could have lived knowing what our father had done, the millions of lives he destroyed and ruined. I think your brother would have gone down the route, not just for you but for humanity so everyone could live and grow in the future."

Nunnally went silent, "I know this is hard, but please think of everyone else, the people I saved the people who you made friends with, what would have happened to them if I didn't intervene." Lelouch moved his hand and followed from her forehead down to her chin. He couldn't help but smile that he was able to touch his sister although it wasn't real.

"I guess...". She almost started sobbing again, "Come with me." Lelouch took her by the hand and went up one of the hills, "Now look up." Nunnally looked up only to see one of the clouds showing something in the sky. It was their childhood before their mother's1111111 death, "I know my death was hard on you and the guilt as well, but please do not worry, was never your fault it was mine. Promise me from now on Nunnally, never blame yourself for what happened to me."

"I understand Lelouch, I'll try and stop feeling guilty...can we stay a bit longer and just admire it?"

"Of course, Nunnally."

It was only a minute when Lelouch felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around, and to his horror, it was C.C., "What do you think you are doing Lelouch?"

"I-I-I can explain." C.C's forehead glowed its bright pink glow showing her code symbol behind her green hair and touched his forehead.

Lelouch opened his eyes, adjusting to the dim light once again, he turned only to see two yellow eyes looking at him. "I don't know what you were thinking of doing. But this is a stupid idea." as C.C tried to shout while whispering, "So have you got anything to say about this?"

"She won't be having any more bad dreams about me or night terrors; I fixed that while I was in there." He smiled, "She needed to stop blaming herself for my death; her guilt was causing all the nightmares/terrors." C.C sighed at Lelouch's explanation, "We need to get going back to our room before Sayoko wakes her up, and the staff wake up as well..."

Lelouch looked at her funny, "I think you have forgotten that time moves quicker when in a dream." She pointed to her watch, Lelouch remembered leaving at 1am, but now it was 4 am, he looked shocked and agreed with C.C that it was time to go. He let go of Nunnally's hand and placed it back to a comfortable position; he then stroked Nunnally's forehead with the back of his palm and smiled. Instead of the tossing and turning, disturbed face, it was at peace again and she was smiling.

Sayoko silently wondered through the big mansion; she had insisted that she take the second shift, which was from 1 am to 7 am. Yuko had taken the 9 pm to 1 am and had retired for the morning. Sayoko slowly approached where Nunnally was sleeping to make sure she wasn't having a nightmare, for the time she had been away the other personal staff had said she was having night terrors more frequently after the battle. They had been waking her up while in a deep sleep so that she wouldn't end up hurting herself.

As she was just about to reach the corner before Nunnally's room, she heard a noise coming from that direction, her body stiffened and quickly grabbed a throwing knife from her maid outfit. She crouched behind the corner and peered cautiously around it, the noise she had heard was the door to Nunnally's room being opened, Sayoko senses heightened ready to attack whoever came out of the room first. The first person who could be seen from the moonlight was C.C, Sayoko raised an eyebrow of why she was in her room. However, she hadn't closed the door. 'Is there another person with her?' Questioned Sayoko, she could feel her heart pumping wondering who the second person was. C.C moved away from the door out into the hallway and leaned against the tabletop.

She heard a second pair of footsteps and saw the second person; she couldn't see his face yet, it was a male build, about 180cm with dark, messy hair. The male slowly closed the door, with the moonlight revealing his face. Sayoko's face stiffened with fear and happiness as her heart started beating very loudly, almost echoing through her entire body, her fingers gripping the corner started to tremble with fear. She wanted to look away, but at the sight of his face she couldn't, glued to it she gulped.

'Impossible...he's meant to be dead...so how is he standing there.'

It was Lelouch, standing in the moonlight.

Ooooooo, now this is a dilemma Sayoko! What will she do? Did she really see Lelouch outside? Or was it the moonlight/tiredness playing tricks on her? Hmmm?

I'm also not sure about revealing C.C so early..this may change depending on what i think and how i plan the rest of the chapters out (so far only Nunnally will only know that C.C is Zero) . It may affect the story a little bit depending on which way it goes.

As for the next chapter (a bit of a tease)

What has Lloyd been doing after the battle...

Why is Athena not happy with Ares?

Will Gino survive the invite for dinner at Kallen's home?

What has Schneizel found about Ares? Any clues?

And, is it just me or are people hearing sirens as well?