6 Chapter Six: The King's Holiday

It would be another day before Cornelia would deem Lelouch fit to return to his role as Zero. It suited Ohgi fine enough, the recent drama still affecting him greatly. And if anything he could use this time to think about certain revelations.

As well as other things he'd like to use his free time for.

"I like the strong silent type as much as the next girl but I'd still enjoy a good conversationalist," said Viletta.

Ohgi looked up from his menu, and out of his thoughts, and looked at Viletta.

"Sorry," said Ohgi. "I guess I was just lost in thought. Why do you go ahead and order?"

"Alright," said Viletta, acknowledging Ohgi's mind was elsewhere.

She handed the menus to the waiter and looked back to Ohgi, who still looked lost in thought, as a opposed to lost in her chest. She didn't wear dresses on many occasions but this was a special one. Viletta had never wanted to be considered a damsel in distress, but it didn't mean she didn't like the idea of someone risking his life to save hers. Besides Ohgi was quite charming in an awkward sort of way.

"Are you still thinking about your friend?" she asked.

"Among other things," said Ohgi. "I'm mostly thinking about C.C and that boy Rai. And this...Geass Order."

"What about them?" asked Viletta.

"From how C.C and Rai have acted Geass appears to be at the center of a religion for them," said Ohgi. "And given how everyone who talks about the Eden Elite talks about them being 'inhuman' it makes me think that perhaps the Eden Elite, and V.V, might be connected to Geass as well. V.V might even be an immortal if C.C's name is any give away."

"We pretty much knew that already," said Viletta.

"Yes, but what I think is that V.V was a part of the Order," said Ohgi. "And the Eden Elite is a splinter group of the greater religious order. Japan and Britannia are both just caught in the mix."

"But why have we never heard of them?" asked Viletta. "If the Geass Order can bestow abilities like what Lelouch and Naoto have shown off then they should rule the world by now."

"I'm still not sure about that," said Ohgi. "But one thing's for sure is that we can't go back from this. We know about Geass and that's a deadly sort of knowledge."

"Then why haven't we been silenced yet?" asked Viletta.

"If I had to guess it involves Lelouch," said Ohgi.

"He doesn't seem to know that much about Geass," said Viletta. "He's about as in the dark as the rest of us."

"That's not what I mean," said Ohgi. "His uncle, his mother, and now C.C. Geass seems to be around him. And if Geass is a religion for this Order, then they'll need something all religions need. A central figure, a Buddha, a Jesus Christ, someone with the charisma to inspire absolute devotion. It's already happening now with all the resistance groups that are popping up."

"You almost sound like this was all planned," said Viletta.

"Another thing almost every religion has," said Ohgi. "A great plan for us all."

"Of course you know another thing almost every religion has right?" asked Viletta.

"Fanatics and martyrs," said Ohgi. "And end of the world prophecies."

Cornelia reclined into the warm water, sighing deeply and enjoying the smell of the soap. Euphemia's lithe fingers and manicured nails running through her hair, massaging and shampooing her scalp helped as well.

"Why do all the problems of the world seem to just melt away in a warm bath?" asked Cornelia. "Even if it's only temporary?"

"Maybe it just feels nice to be warm and naked every now and then," said Euphie.

"Still, it's only temporary," sighed Cornelia.

Euphie merely hummed as she applied conditioner to Cornelia's hair. Rai was now in his private suit, under guard though, and he was oddly compliant. He had a stillness to him that honestly unnerved Cornelia.

"He said he was a warrior," said Cornelia. "I wonder if he had been trained at birth."

"I can't imagine Lady Marianne approving of child soldiers," said Euphie.

"I don't think we ever truly knew Lady Marianne," said Cornelia.

The idea of her idol being apart of some shadowy religious organization armed with supernatural powers unnerved Cornelia more than anything else. She had looked up to Marianne ever since childhood. Idolizing her more than her own mother, wishing desperately that she could call Marianne mother, to be a true sister to Lelouch and Nunnally. But with all these secret truths being revealed Cornelia simply didn't know what to think.

"Care for a shoulder massage?" asked Euphie, sensing her sister's discomfort.

"Please," said Cornelia.

She rose slightly in the tub and allowed Euphie a good handle on her shoulders.

"Everything just seems so...unreal," said Cornelia, as Euphie played with the flesh on her shoulder blades. "The world used to be rifles, ammunition, and Knightmare Frames. Now it's a world of immortals and supernatural powers and I don't know how to protect my family in that kind of world. I couldn't protect father, Lady Marianne, Lelouch, or Nunnally. I can barely protect you Euphie. I don't know what I would have done if faced with that monster Lelouch fought. I don't know what I can do against the Eden Elite operatives. I'm just...Euphie I'm so scared."

Cornelia Li Britannia had gained a fearsome reputation as a stone cold warrior woman. She had to become that in order to prove her usefulness to her uncle, to protect her sister, and as such she never allowed herself the luxury of fear, sadness, or even love.

But ever since coming to Japan her defenses had been shattering with the truths that had been revealed. Now she was so confused and truly frightened.

"I'm scared too sister," said Euphie, once more rubbing her hands on Cornelia's shoulders.

Cornelia placed her hand on one of Euphie's, accepting her sister's comforting gesture.

"I just wish I knew how I'm supposed to bring Lelouch in on all of this," said Cornelia. "I know as his fellow soldier I have to do so. But as his big sister I don't want to subject him to any more pain after what he's been through. I must be getting soft."

Euphie then reached into the tub and poked at Cornelia's belly.

"Yup, you're getting fluffy," giggled Euphie.

Cornelia promptly responded by splashing water at her little sister. As the two sisters began another of their legendary splash fights the comm link buzzed by the door. Euphie walked over to it and pressed the button allowing whoever stood on the other side to speak.

"What is it?" asked Euphie.

"Sorry to disturb you my ladies," said Guilford. "But we've unfortunately...we'll we've lost track of Lelouch."

Lelouch led Kallen by the hand as the two of them walked through the Clovisland park. He had decided to take Kallen out for a much needed break after all she had been through. In truth he needed it as well. Also, against all reserves and better judgment, he just wanted to spend time with her.

He knew Cornelia would most likely have people watching him, but he had plenty of experience in dodging authority thanks to his various gambling trips with Rivalz. As well as a few lessons from Sayoko over the years.

"This has been nice Lelouch," said Kallen.

The two of them had just gotten off one of the rides, a trip through a haunted mansion, and if anything the two of them could just laugh at the fake horrors. They'd already seen enough true horror.

"I'm glad you're having fun," said Lelouch. "You needed it."

"Thank you," said Kallen, truly grateful.

The two of them sat on a bench, each with cotton candy in their hands, but Lelouch noticed he still had Kallen's hand in his. He knew he was considered attractive by many of the female student's at Ashford, but had never gone out on any dates. He never wanted to get really close to anyone, he couldn't risk his secrets getting exposed. But Kallen already knew his secrets, just as he knew hers, and it felt nice having someone to truly share those secrets with.

"Prince Clovis sure knew how to design an amusement part," said Kallen.

"He always was a happy sort of guy," said Lelouch. "He loved art, he loved having fun, he...he was a good man."

Kallen saw Lelouch's eyes sink and she instantly regretted bringing up the name of his late brother. The brother he had killed as to give justice to the Japanese.

"I'm sorry," said Kallen. "I...I forgot."

"It's alright," said Lelouch. "I did what had to be done."

"He was still your brother," said Kallen. "It's alright to mourn him."

"Maybe," said Lelouch. "In truth I've tried not to think about Clovis lately. But I guess...I guess that's not going to work here."

Kallen saw Lelouch's eyes darken in sadness and felt her heart ache. He had taken her here to try and make her happy after what they had experienced with her brother and in return for this kindness she reminded him of his own dead brother. The brother who was dead by his own hand.

At least Kallen could say that she was not responsible for what had happened to Naoto.

"Lelouch...can I ask you something?" asked Kallen.

"Of course," said Lelouch, raising his head to meet Kallen's gaze.

Her eyes shifted a bit as if she was not sure what she wanted to ask. But then she looked back into Lelouch's eyes before lowering hers again.

"It's nothing," said Kallen. "I'm...I'm just sorry all of this has happened to our families. It's not fair, you losing your father and being separated from your mother. My mother being used by my...my brother whose now a monster. I just wish we could fix it all."

"We still can," said Lelouch.

"How?" asked Kallen, although she believed he was suggesting what she had been too afraid to ask before.

"We...we could join our families," said Lelouch.

Lelouch had never been more terrified than in that instant.

Nunnally had finished her bath and reclined into the bed of her hotel room. The Student Council was enjoying their time and it gave Nunnally time to herself. With no brother or witch to lie to or 'teach' her, she could just process everything.

Suddenly she felt a strange feeling come over her, much like the ones she did when she was being 'taught' by the witch. She opened her eyes again and found that she was not entirely in the same room she had been when she closed her eyes. She was still in the same bed but that seemed to be the only thing familiar.

She noticed an open bathroom door with steam coming from it, knowing that it wasn't where the bathroom of her hotel room was, and guessed that she must have been having a vision of some kind.

From the bathroom, much to her surprise, was the same man with silver hair she had seen before. He wore dark trousers but was not wearing a shirt, allowing Nunnally to see his well toned body. She gasped at the beauty of the man and felt her cheeks become red.

The man seemed to notice the sound of her gasp and his eyes immediately widened and searched for the source. Nunnally tensed, gripping tightly to her robe, not knowing what intentions this man might have towards her.

"Is someone there?" he asked.

Nunnally looked around and she guessed he must not be able to see her as she could see him.

"Can...can you not see me?" asked Nunnally.

"Who is that?" he asked.

"Who are you?" asked Nunnally.

"I asked first," said the man.

"A gentleman would answer the questions of a lady first," said Nunnally.

"Oh," said the man, "yes. I'm sorry, my name is Rai Hodges."

"I'm Nunnally Lamperouge," said Nunnally.

"Nunnally?" said Rai, looking surprise. "You're the Lady M.M's daughter."

"I don't understand."

"Marianne, I know her as M.M," said Rai.

Nunnally gasped at the mention of her mother's name.

"You know my mother?" asked Nunnally.

"She is the leader of my Order," said Rai. "The Geass Order."

"So...so do you have a Geass as well?" asked Nunnally.

"Yes," said Rai. "Is that how you're seeing me?"

"I...I don't know," said Nunnally. "I...I've been taking lessons from C.C. Do you know her?"

"I know of her," said Rai. "She was the leader of the Order before your mother received the Code."

"Do you know what's happening to me?" asked Nunnally. "Why can I see you?"

"You can see me?" asked Rai, realizing his partial nudity. "I'm...I'm sorry if I offend."

"No," said Nunnally, blushing brightly. "No, you...you certainly don't offend."

"Oh...well, thank you," said Rai.

An awkward silence fell between the two for a few moments until Rai cleared his throat.

"As...as for your question," said Rai. "The teachings C.C has given you, even if it's not a true Geass, has allowed you a greater awareness to the source of the Geass. Where are you if you're not physically in this room?"

"I...I don't think that's a question I want to answer," said Nunnally sadly.

"I understand," said Rai. "You don't know me well enough to trust me yet."

"But...I'd like to know you," said Nunnally, her face pure read and realizing how her words could be taken the wrong way.

Rai seemed a little stunned, Nunnally fearing that he might have misunderstood her meaning.

"I mean...I'd like to know more about you," said Nunnally, attempting to recover from the incident.

However Rai was gone, as if he had never been there at all.

"Oh dear," said Nunnally, feeling terribly embarrassed more than anything else.

From a greater distance away from Nunnally, Rai called out for her only to find no answer.

"The connection must have broken off," he said, taking a seat on the bed. "So that's the Reverend Mother's daughter. She seems...nice."

Suzaku had been allowed leave and decided that he'd like to search for his teacher. However he found himself dealing with surprise company.

"It's really nice here isn't it Suzaku?" asked Euphie, sitting by a steam with her feet in the water.

Since it became knowledge that Lelouch had gone AWOL, Euphie thought it might do her good to get out of the palace for a bit. She noticed Suzaku was getting ready to leave and decided to join him.

"Yeah, the Narita mountains are a pretty peaceful place," said Suzaku.

As the princess continued to splash her toes in the water, Suzaku looked around, unaware that they were being watched.

"It's Kururugi again," said Chiba. "This time he has the princess with him."

Tohdoh took the binoculars from his subordinate and looked through them, seeing his former student in the company of an imperial princess.

"They appear to be alone," said Tohdoh.

"This could still be a trap," said Chiba.

"Not if the information from Kyoto is to be believed," said Tohdoh.

Looking through the binoculars again Tohdoh could make out the expression on Suzaku's face, and he noticed that his former student appeared troubled.

"My student needs to speak," said Tohdoh. "Wait here until I return."

"Sir, with all due respect Kururugi cannot be trusted," said Chiba. "He murdered his own father for god's sake."

"Suzaku made a choice and he has accepted it," said Tohdoh. "As have I."

Kallen did not know how to respond to Lelouch's statement. She could only stare, eyes wide at Lelouch, who actually appeared nervous.

"What...what do you mean Lelouch?" she asked.

"I...I'm not entirely sure myself," said Lelouch. "I've...I've never actually done something like this."

"You mean...you've never been on a...you've never been out with a girl before?" Kallen asked, her face becoming as red as her hair.

"Not...not like this," said Lelouch. "Kallen...you're a lot like me. You know what it means to have your family shattered. The pain that brings, the sadness, the anger. What...what I meant to ask is...I can help you get your mother out of the hospital and...and get you away from your father and stepmother. You know they don't truly care about you. You and her, you can be somewhere away from them, where Naoto, if he survived, can't find you and...and hurt you. You could...stay with...with..."

"With you?" she asked.

"Or, at least in a safe house I can arrange for you two," said Lelouch. "I just...I...I care about you Kallen and I want to make sure you're...happy."

Kallen couldn't find the words to say in response to Lelouch. She merely looked at him with her wide blue eyes, on the verge of tears.

"Kallen I..."

Before Lelouch could finish Kallen's body acted before her mind, wrapping her arms around his back she drew him in and immediately pressed her lips against his, her tongue automatically lodging itself into Lelouch's open mouth.

Lelouch's eyes widened at the sudden kiss, but within seconds relaxed and pressed back, putting his arms around Kallen.

All the while a man with white hair and a visor sat in line for another attraction, getting a figurative earful of their thoughts.

"And that's everything so far," said Suzaku.

He had just finished telling his former master everything that had transpired since their last meeting, including the information he witheld about Lelouch's abilities. Euphemia, in a sense of foresight, had actually brought the makings of a picnic tea and made enough for her, Suzaku, and Tohdoh allowing a sense of comfort for them, hoping it would be easier for student and teacher to talk plainly.

"I too had heard the rumors of this Beast," said Tohdoh. "At least for now his activities will cease if he isn't dead himself. This power of Geass disturbs me more. To have the ability to rob a man of his free will or to turn him into a savage animal. It is not an ability men should have."

"But it is," said Suzaku. "If what C.C and Rai have said is true then it explains V.V and the Eden Elite. And apparently there are two agents operating in Japan. Rai gave their descriptions to Princess Cornelia and she has people looking for them. Their ordered to kill on sight."

"And thus you would show V.V that indeed the princesses have turned," said Tohdoh.

"My sister and I were going to reveal our rebellious intentions at some point or another," said Euphie.

"And what does Lelouch say to all of this?" asked Tohdoh.

"We...we haven't really told him yet," said Suzaku. "Cornelia wanted to find a way to handle it delicately given Lelouch's ordeal with the Questing Beast."

"As a soldier it's a foolish choice not to let him know immediately," said Tohdoh. "But I believe in this instance the sister in Cornelia has taken over the soldier. But what I want to understand is just what this Geass Order intends for Japan. I do not like that our struggle is simply the result of a another power's civil war. I believe I should meet with the princess. As well as this young man Rai."

"Does that mean you'll join us?" asked Suzaku.

"I cannot speak for the JLF, but I would like to have more information to present to them," said Tohdoh. "Although I must ask, if Lelouch possesses the ability to control the minds of others then how do you know that you yourself are not under Lelouch's control."

"Because those who are affected by Geass have little to no memory of being under his control," said Suzaku. "I don't have any."

"And what of your ambitions?" asked Tohdoh. "Does Lelouch's ability and use of it not sound as if it could fit into the type of corrupt leadership you seek to destroy?"

"Lelouch is only using it as a tool to fulfill our goal to defeat V.V," said Suzaku. "He just wants to secure his family and avenge his father."

"But with the death of V.V there will need to be a new emperor on the throne of Britannia," said Tohdoh. "If Lelouch were to reveal himself as Zero, then by the demand of the populace alone he would be demanded to ascend the throne."

"If he did become Emperor then Lelouch would follow the example of his father," said Suzaku.

Tohdoh looked at Suzaku's eyes and relented. He truly cared about and believed in his friend, he would not hear of any suggestion that he could become his enemy.

"Very well, princess Euphemia can you arrange a meeting between myself and your sister?" asked Tohdoh.

"Of course," said Euphie.

"Sensei, there is also another matter," said Suzaku. "I've heard rumor that there was a powerful Knightmare Frame that the you had in your custody. Given how certain agents of the JLF have acted, I can't help but fear what it could do in the hands of another fanatic."

"Do not compare my soldiers to that fool," said Tohdoh. "As for the Knightmare, yes we do have such a device."

"Then are you willing to put it up for negotiation when you meet with Cornelia and Lelouch?" asked Suzaku.

"Perhaps, if I believe it could be in Japan's best interests," said Tohdoh.

Euphie got up and went to make her call to Cornelia, leaving student and teacher alone.

"She seems like a lovely girl Suzaku," said Tohdoh, smirking slightly. "And a princess no less. So if you can't kill certain political figures you'll settle for seducing them, eh Suzaku?"

Suzaku gasped, both out of the words his mentor spoke, and the mere fact that he could make any other expression other than a scowl.

Having grown up under the supervision of a man who obeyed his every wish, as well as an ideal maid, Lelouch was often the absolute ruler of his household. With the reunion of his elder half-sister, this was no longer the case.

Having been found at Clovisland by Cornelia's people, Lelouch and Kallen were brought to Cornelia, who immediately chewed out her younger brother over his avoiding her men and running off without letting anyone know about his location.

"Given my considerable abilities one could say I have more power and thus more authority than you ever could, dear sister," said Lelouch.

"Power and authority are two different things," said a voice Lelouch did not know.

Lelouch, Kallen, and Cornelia all turned to see Rai standing in his full uniform.

"And you are?" asked Lelouch.

"I am Rai Hodges, a warrior of the Geass Order sent by order of your mother, the Lady M.M, born Marianne Lamperouge," said Rai.

Lelouch lost all breath in his lungs in a gasp as his eyes widened. He regained his senses just as quickly. Activating his Geass Lelouch focused his will into Rai's mind, demanding that he answer his questions truthfully. The red ring lit up in Rai's eye and Lelouch knew he had him under his control.

"Was...was my mother hurt by my...my fight with the Questing Beast?" asked Lelouch.

"She was, as was I, and several others connected by the Geass," said Rai. "Including two Eden Elite operatives operating in this nation."

"Two? And they have Geass?" asked Lelouch.

"The time stopper Rolo and the mind reader Mao," said Rai. "According to the intelligence gathered by our Order."

Lelouch grimaced, but none the less chose to press on. He needed answers and this was perhaps his best chance to get answers.

"What is the Geass Order?" asked Lelouch.

"An ancient religious order centered around the Geass," said Rai.

"Anything more specific?" asked Lelouch, not happy with the answer.

"Such questions are best reserved for the Lady M.M," said Rai. "Given your recklessness, and her concern for you and for...Nunnally, she will wish to come herself."

If there was anything that caught Lelouch off guard it was the idea that his mother was finally coming back to him and Nunnally. Even Cornelia, having resumed her role as the iron clad witch could not help but gasp.

For her part Kallen could only look at Lelouch and wonder at the emotions he must be feeling. She went to place her hand on Lelouch's shoulder when the phone on Cornelia's desk began ringing.

Among the Kyoto Group there was a young woman who had become quite enamored with Zero. She became even more interested when she learned he was a prince whose rightful throne had been usurped from him.

A usurped prince, the ideal man in the fantasied of a princess of a conquered nation. But of course she wanted to learn more about the young man whom she dreamed about.

'And who better to ask about my future husband, than his best friend and my dear cousin,' thought Kaguya Sumeragi.

Lelouch could not contain his anger at Cornelia withholding Rai and the information he had about his mother. He left in anger and confusion, running without direction and letting nothing get in his way. The idea of reuniting with his mother after all this time was throwing his heart and mind into absolute turmoil.

'God damn it,' he screamed internally. 'Control yourself Lelouch, you're the son of Charles Zi Britannia. You're Zero, you're not some...some child begging for his mother.'

Lelouch desperately wished that he could believe the words he was thinking. But the tears simply kept falling, despite his will that his eyes remain dry. And as the tears began to fall from Lelouch's face, rain began to fall from heaven. He looked around and found that he was in a park somewhere. Not truly caring where he was Lelouch slumped against a tree as the rain continued to fall.

'Is that you father, weeping in disappointment over the weakness of your son?' thought Lelouch.

"Lelouch," a voice said from behind him.

Lelouch looked behind him and saw Kallen, ragged and wet with both sweat and rain. How fate liked to play its games. The day had begun with Lelouch attempting to try and comfort Kallen. But now she was here wanting to comfort him.

"A red spitfire," said Mao, "and boy does she have a temper."

"Very nice," said Rolo. "I've been in contact with his majesty, he wishes us to begin challenging his nephew, especially after the recent incident."

"And what is to become of our new pet?" asked Mao.

"Don't you already know?" asked Rolo.

"No need to be sarcastic," said Mao. "We'll give the boy a good show and be sure to collect on a few bodies. Then we'll get in nice and personal."

"Do you have a plan?" asked Rolo.

"Fear not my friend," said Mao. "Even a commander as experienced and as trusted as Cornelia has people beneath her who want their skeletons to stay in their closets. All you need to do is be a good little sneak."

Whereas before Rivalz had not gone with the Student Council to the lake resort because he had to work, this time he didn't go because he wanted to take some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city and decided to camp by himself for a while. As much as he liked his friends there were times that he didn't quite feel as if he necessarily fit in. He wasn't as charming or handsome as Lelouch, wasn't as athletic as Suzaku seemed to be, he certainly wasn't as smart as Nina. Milly didn't seem to respond to any of his advances and Shirley only had eyes for Lelouch, something even the new girl Kallen seemed to share.

Everyone had a thing they were good at or a person to connect with. Everyone but him, the only thing he seemed to understand was machines. Building and fixing things seemed to be his forte in life. He once hoped to go into Knightmare engineering someday. However his status of low birth would deny him this. It was just by good fortune that he had been given a scholarship to Ashford. It allowed him the chance to see how more well off people in Britannia were. But that was as far as he would get in V.V's Britannia.

But for now at least he had the stars over Narita.

Cornelia had managed to finally get some sleep. After the drama involving Rai and Lelouch, as well as Euphie calling saying the legendary Tohdoh the Miracle wanted a meeting, she was exhausted. As soon as she drew the covers over her Cornelia welcomed the sandman. However entering her bed chamber softly was someone else entirely.

He placed his hand on Cornelia's mouth, awakening her, but as she attempted to grip the hand of the man who attempted to assault her, she suddenly froze. This allowed her assailant to inject her with a drug.

"I have her," said Rolo. "Get things ready at Narita."