8 Chapter 7: Rivalis

Kallen recognized the Japanese boy in the Ashford uniform immediately and her mind raced. What was he doing here? He was a student? That was not entirely unheard of, Ashford was open to Honorary as well as native Britannians, but the cost of tuition put it well outside the range of most people regardless of their heritage. How had he gotten in then? He was just a foot soldier the last time she saw him. The boy turned and Kallen tensed. C.C. moved a step to place herself subtly between Kallen and the Japanese boy, a motion that was not lost upon the staff, Rivalz, and the boy himself. And then he bowed. Kallen's jaw dropped. Of all the things she imagined he might do, accuse her of being a terrorist, attacking her or C.C., bowing was not amongst them.

"My apologies miss for the misunderstanding that happened upon our initial meeting," Suzaku said. "I hope we can set that aside and start off on a proper footing."

The other teachers and Rivalz now shifted their gaze to Kallen to see how she would respond. The girl saw through immediately what the boy is trying to do. He knew that making a spectacle here would do him no good, no one would take his word over that of the Stadtfeld daughter. If he reported back to his superiors they might believe him but by then Kallen would be long gone. On the other hand if he could maintain freedom of movement he could report back to his superiors all the more quickly. Like hell she was going to let him pull that off. Before she could respond however C.C. intervened.

"What tis thy name, boy."

Suzaku looked at the green haired woman in surprise. She spoke with a strange accent but he understood the gist of her question.

"Suzaku Kururugi," he answered.

"And thou be of no harm to mine mistress?" the woman asked.

"C-Cecilia, what are you doing?" Kallen hissed.

"The duty that was bestowed upon I," C.C. said. "Observeth well milady, doust thee sense duplicity in Monsieur Kururugi's words?"

Kallen narrowed her eyes and regarded Suzaku closely. Her head throbbed slightly but she ignored the slight headache. The boy's breathing was calm and his heartbeat slow and steady. There was no panicked excitement which one might expect from when a person was lying and Suzaku held her gaze instead of trying to look away.

"He doesn't have to be outright lying to be dishonest," Kallen said as her temper flared slightly. "Who knows when he'll change his mind next."

Suzaku knew perfectly well what the redheaded girl meant and she was not entirely wrong. He was trying to buy time, but not to report to his superiors. He genuinely wanted to find a chance to speak with the girl, both girls, to understand just what had happened back in Shinjuku. If he could not convince her he was genuine about not wanting to cause her trouble here at school she would disappear and with her the secret of the supposed poison gas, the green hair girl whose name of Cecilia was obviously a fake.

"Lady Stadtfeld, do you know the transfer student somehow?" the teacher Kallen and C.C. had been speaking with before interrupted.

Lady, that meant she was somehow associated with the nobility, Suzaku noted. Yet she had been in Shinjuku as a resistance fighter. The girl was quite the enigma.

"We met a few days ago," Kallen stated flatly. "It was not a pleasant meeting."

Suzaku winced. It had not exactly been pleasant for him either, even if he lived through it.

"I understand that you may resent me for what happened that day Lady Stadtfeld," Suzaku said, "but I bear you no animosity. I am glad that both you and Ms., Cecilia are fine."

Dropping their names like that might not have been very tactful but Suzaku was running out of options. The girl was obviously not willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, not surprising considering her attitude in the tunnel. She saw him as some kind of racial traitor, though seeing her here at a Britannian school and finding out she had some kind of relation to nobility made things more than a bit confusing. Unless the circumstances of her birth were not civil? Suzaku winced inside. That was an all too likely possibility considering some of the abuses the nobility had committed over the years. That might well explain the girl's anger towards the Britannian system despite apparently benefiting quite handily from it. It also made it all the more imperative Suzaku got a chance to actually speak with her privately, to make the girl aware of what Princess Euphemia was trying to do. Surely that would help lesson some of the bitterness the girl felt.

"Thou shalt find deeds greater than words where mine charge be concerned boy," the woman called Cecelia said before looking over at Kallen. "Milady, I suggest thou stayeth thy hand till the sooth of his words be beheld. He may be a carl but not necessarily be he a blackguard."

Kallen frowned at C.C. but dared she risk it? If Suzaku really was only buying time then walking out of here and leaving him alone would simply see a squad of soldiers come down on her by day's end. But C.C. was right about one thing, the boy was not lying right now. This meant he wanted something badly enough from her that he was prepared to forego reporting her long enough to get it. Kallen just needed to figure out what it was and keep the boy from getting it, at least long enough for her to make her own contingencies and perhaps even eliminate the liability the boy represented. Maybe even the boy himself.

"Is there anything else you need, Mr. Reeds?" Kallen asked her homeroom teacher.

The man cleared his throat. "That should be all, Kallen." He had switched to a less formal form of address now that he was not speaking for Suzaku's sake. "Your health monitor is now authorized to accompany you while on school grounds, though I think I speak for all of your teachers that we sincerely hope there never arises a need where her presence is a necessity."

Kallen smiled and bowed. "I thank you for the sentiment, Mr. Reeds. I will see you in class."

As the girl left the room she pointedly did not look at Suzaku. C.C.'s gaze however lingered.

"I trust thou will not be so couth as to levant from milady," she said pointedly before departing herself.

"What does levant mean?" Suzaku wondered aloud.

"To leave without settling debts," Rivalz said behind him.

The boy turned to regard his guide. Rivalz simply shrugged.

"We just finished a Shakespeare unit in class." He gazed at the two departing girls. "Though what in the world did you do to get Kallen Stadtfeld mad at you?"

Suzaku sighed. "There was a, misunderstanding when we first met a couple of days ago. Some people on, both sides got hurt."

A minor understatement that. If Suzaku was right about the green haired girl the three of them were the only survivors of the tunnel skirmish. And while he had been recovering in a field hospital Kallen had launched a counterattack against the Britannian forces that culminated in Prince Clovis' assassination. Though as Princess Euphemia had pointed out they did not really know who actually carried out the murder. It might have been the resistance group Kallen was associated with or it might have been another group taking advantage of the chaos. He should not jump to conclusions, that would only get more people hurt.

"You'll want to get that cleared up right quick," Rivalz said. "Kallen's really popular in the school and if the guys think you did something to hurt her, well…"

Suzaku grimaced. That would make his school life more or less unbearable if it came to that.

"Is there a way that I can get in touch with her?" he asked.

"Well since she is attending class today she'll probably be dropping by the student council," Rivalz said. "She's our newest member. You could try coming after school."

"Thanks Rivalz," Suzaku said. "I appreciate it."

The teen chuckled and clapped Suzaku on the back. "Hey, you don't seem to be a bad fella. And if it really is an understanding it wouldn't be fair for you to get your chops busted over it."

Suzaku smiled. The other teen might not have understood the significance of his words but the Japanese in Suzaku did. Too many people would have automatically assumed Suzaku was in the wrong, especially when the person he supposedly wronged was the daughter of a noble. But Rivalz was treating him just like any other person and was willing to give him a chance. Suzaku prayed that he would not let the other student down.

As Milly watched the other members of the student council work she felt a tinge of worry. The source of that worry was the redheaded girl working sedately through the club finance requests the council had received. Her personal assistant, a French girl with exotic green hair, was also lending a hand. A brief exchange of words was all Milly needed to know that she would like the French girl, assuming everything else worked out. The current issue lay with Kallen herself.

While Milly had had many reasons for extending Kallen an invitation to the student council, the only reason the red haired girl was allowed this close to Milly's friends and little sister was because the student council president had been certain that deep down Kallen was a kind person. Milly considered herself an excellent judge of character but no one was perfect. Could Kallen be her one great mistake? Time to find out.

"Kallen," Milly called to the girl.

"Hmm?" the girl said, looking up at her senior.

"Do you have something against Suzaku Kururugi?"

Kallen's face twisted into a scowl that was quickly smoothed out into simple displeasure. Boy did she have it in for him.

"He, and I are in disagreement right now," Kallen said cryptically.

"Is it because he's an Eleven?" Milly asked.

"No!" Kallen said, the scowl returning with force and causing Shirley and Nina to jump slightly.

Milly raised an eyebrow. She had not been expecting such a vehement denial, which either made it true or Kallen was seeking refuge in audacity. Seeing how quickly the girl had snapped and the sharpness of her eyes Milly was inclined to believe it was the former, for now at least.

"Sorry," Kallen said to the other girls. "No, I don't really care that he's an Eleven. Though since he's an Honorary Britannian I guess he's technically not an Eleven anymore."

Milly cocked her head to the side. "You don't agree with the Honorary Britannian system?"

"It's, it feels too fake," Kallen said. "I mean, the people who become Honorary Britannians aren't really Britannians and they're not really treated with much dignity even if legally they're supposed to have most of the rights that we do. At the same time they're renouncing whatever their original heritage is. Can you really trust someone who respects their own heritage so little that they would discard it like that?"

Kallen may not have meant to reveal it but it was pretty obvious to Milly just what her disagreement with Suzaku was. Kallen was proud, Milly could see that now. Not that pride was entirely a bad thing if it was in moderation. If the situation were reversed and Britannians were the second class citizens Kallen would be unlikely to bow down to whomever had conquered her people. She would fight, even if her frail body meant she would only end up in an early grave if she did.

"I understand what you mean," Milly said, "but try to remember that not everything is black and white. You don't think it's right that a person forgets their heritage. Well, I'll bet you that some Honorary Britannians think the same and that they feel really torn up inside about their choice. Do you think your scorn makes them feel any better?"

"Maybe they shouldn't feel better," Kallen said though the redhead averted her eyes.

Stubborn, Kallen was definitely stubborn, Milly decided, but deep down she was a kind person. Off to Kallen's side C.C. chuckled.

"Thy speech be most eloquent, Mademoiselle la Présidente."

"Why thank you Cecilia," Milly said with a grin before looking back at Kallen. "Anyway, I think there's probably more to Suzaku's situation than meets the eye. Do you know who he's the son of?"

"No not really," Kallen said with a shake of her head.

"Genbu Kururugi," Milly said, "the last prime minister of Japan."

The redhead's eyes widened. "Wait, he's the-and he's an Honorary Britannian!?"

Milly nodded. "So don't be too hard on him, I'm sure his own feelings are all sorts of complicated."

"Alright, I get your point," Kallen said.

Milly smiled. "Having said that, I need to ask you a favor."

Kallen regarded the girl warily. "If it's about Suzaku I can't make any promises."

"It is about him and it does involve a promise, but not in the way you think," Milly said. "Suzaku actually serves in the military, though he seems to be part of a research group instead of as a soldier."

Kallen's eyes narrowed, a reaction not lost upon Milly. "Oh?"

"Anyway, I'd like to keep Nunnally as uninvolved with anything military related as possible, so could you not talk about her at all if you ever do speak with Suzaku?"

The girl was right, that was not what Kallen had in mind when Milly first broached the favor.

"Is there a reason behind keeping him away from Nunnally?" Kallen asked.

"Something, happened when Nunnally was a child," Milly said with obvious reluctance.

Recalling her senior's little sister was confined to a wheelchair Kallen held up a hand.

"You can stop there, I understand."

"Thanks Kallen," Milly said with a wide smile. "This means a lot to me."

"Hey, this should be straightforward enough," Kallen said, "seeing as I don't really expect to talk to him again."

Milly's gaze wandered over to Rivalz, a gaze that Kallen's own followed. "You might need to. By tomorrow half the campus will know you have beef with Suzaku and if it doesn't get cleared up quick he's going to have all the boys after him, seeking to defend your honor. You don't want him dead that bad, do you?"

"You'd be surprised," Kallen muttered under her breath before sighing. "Fine, I'll try to clear the air between us. But that doesn't mean I'm going to like him."

"Fair enough," Milly said with a smile.

A knock sounded on the door and Shirley stood to answer it. The girl opened it wider a few moments later to reveal a somewhat tired looking Suzaku standing there.

"And speak of the devil," Milly said. "Now's as good a time as any."

Kallen sighed. "You planned this, didn't you?"

"Umm, yes and no," Milly said. "Rivalz told me he would probably be dropping by to talk to you after school, but I had no idea when exactly he would show up."

"I see," Kallen said dryly as she stood. "I shall remember this, president."

Milly flashed a smile. "I await with trepidation."

With a most unladylike snort Kallen pushed herself away from the table and walked over to the door with C.C. in tow. Shirley flashed the two reassuring smiles before leaving them alone. Once she was out of earshot Kallen turned to regard Suzaku.

"What."

"We need to talk," Suzaku said in an almost pained tone.

"So, talk," Kallen said.

Suzaku glanced over her shoulder at the rest of the student council. Amongst them Milly was not even bothering to pretend she was not straining an ear in their direction though cupping one ear with her hand was rather audacious even for the Ashford girl. Kallen sighed.

"Fine, we'll take it up to the roof," she said, "but if you try anything funny I won't hesitate to toss you off it."

Suzaku smiled weakly and held up his hands. "I just want to talk, I mean it."

"Sure, and the moment you hear something you don't like you'll run back to your masters like a good loyal dog," Kallen said dismissively.

Suzaku frowned. "I'm serious, Kallen-san. I do want to talk to you, but please don't assume that means I'm going to just roll over for you. If it looks like you're the one that doesn't want to listen, then I have a duty as an Honorary Britannian to report you."

Kallen's eyes narrowed dangerously. "And what would a person who abandoned his heritage know about duty?"

"I haven't abandoned my heritage," Suzaku said. "I may be an Honorary Britannian but that doesn't mean I've stopped being Japanese."

Before Kallen could respond C.C. chuckled from behind.

"Ah so thou hast chosen to forge thy own portion," the girl said.

Suzaku looked helplessly at Kallen.

"Portion, portion, oh, destiny," Kallen said, finding the word in her memory.

"Does she, umm, always speak like that?" Suzaku asked the red haired girl.

"Yes," Kallen said with a sigh before shaking her head. "C'mon, let's get up to the rooftop. I'm pretty sure Milly will be leaning against the door trying to eavesdrop if we stand around here much longer."

Suzaku nodded and followed the two. With classes over for the day those students still on campus and not on their way home or back in the dorms or common areas were busy with clubs and thus they had the halls more or less to themselves. That was probably for the best as there was no telling what rumors would start flying around if someone saw Suzaku with Kallen and the green haired girl. Not that there were not already enough rumors as it was, Suzaku thought glumly. He had spent most of lunch dodging other male students who thought he had somehow offended Kallen instead of eating lunch. That might also have been for the best despite his rumbling stomach. Cécile meant well but her taste buds were remarkably, flexible.

"Alright, we're here," Kallen said as the three stepped out onto the roof of the main campus building. "What did you want to talk about?"

Suzaku took a deep breath. From their brief exchange thus far he already knew Kallen was passionate about her beliefs and regarded him as a sort of racial traitor. That was not an uncommon reaction towards Honorary Britannians, from their own people and native Britannians both. That should not have been how it was and Suzaku was determined to do his part to change that.

"Before I start, I ask that you let me finish speaking before you try to dispute my viewpoint," Suzaku said.

Kallen regarded him thoughtfully before simply nodding.

"Thanks," Suzaku said with a slight smile. The girl's face remained impassive. "I recognize that the Empire is responsible for a lot of suffering. It's the one that invaded Japan and killed so many people after all. I don't dispute that things are likely to be better if Britannia never invaded or if it was pushed out successfully. But the fight to throw them out is getting a lot of people killed, people not even involved in the resistance movement and who don't want to be, who just want to live their lives as best they can. I don't think it's fair that those people get dragged into the fight."

Kallen frowned but held her peace. What Suzaku said made sense but if he used that as a way to appeal to some collaborationist ideology she would toss him off the roof and worry about the consequences later.

"I want to help make my people's lives better," Suzaku continued. "I don't want to get a lot of them killed in the process, which is what defeating the Empire militarily would entail, because let's face it, the Britannia of now would never leave Japan willingly. But there is a way to make things better, if we can make the Empire itself a better place. If we can turn the Empire into a more tolerant place, a place where there's no distinction between native and Honorary Britannians, no difference between Britannians or Japanese or any other ethnic group, then we can end the suffering our people are going through. They can live the lives they want, the lives they deserve."

"You'll be long dead before that happens," Kallen said, breaking her silence.

Suzaku smiled wirily. "Maybe. Even probably. But someone has to take that first step, or the journey will never be started."

C.C. let out a low whistle next to Kallen. "Tis be a man that stands before us, milady. An idealist, mayhaps even a mooncalf, but a man nonetheless. Tis a hard path he hast chooseth to walk."

"Fool," Kallen said just as Suzaku glanced at her again. "Mooncalf means fool."

Suzaku chuckled dryly. "I suppose I would seem foolish to some people, but I still believe in my course."

Kallen stared at Suzaku. "And what makes you think the Empire is even capable of changing? What makes you think the nobility would allow that kind of change to happen?"

"Well, you're of the nobility, right?" Suzaku reminded the girl. "You want Britannia to change, don't you?"

The boy was at least not a complete idiot, Kallen conceded privately. Idiotically naïve, but not just plain idiotic.

"I am half-Japanese," Kallen stated. "Were that to become public knowledge noble society would shun me almost immediately."

"Not all of them," Suzaku insisted. "Princess Euphemia wouldn't."

Kallen snorted. "The new viceroy? She's Clovis' sister. Do you really expect me to believe she's cut from a different cloth?"

"She is different," Suzaku stated confidently. "The Princess wants to eliminate the corruption and mistreatment that was so prevalent during Clovis' reign."

"And you honestly believe her?" Kallen said incredulously. "Do you believe everyone who spouts that kind of rhetoric?"

"It's not just words," Suzaku insisted. "You saw the news right? That Britannian captain being court martialed for what he was doing in the ghettos."

"Yeah, I saw her clamping down on a source of potential political opposition within the military," Kallen countered.

Suzaku frowned. "Is that all you're able to see?"

"And are you so blind that never even occurred to you? Why did it take until that captain was publicly shown up for the Princess to take action if she was so serious about putting an end to all the corruption and abuse? Or are you going to make up some excuse about how she needs time? Well every minute, hour, day that your precious princess doesn't crack down on people like that captain is more time for them to make others suffer. You don't want more people to die? Well I've got news for you, they're dying right now because they can't get medicine, can't get food, or because they've lost all hope. Some people can't wait, Suzaku, and your and your Princess' inaction is costing those people their lives."

The glower that Kallen was delivering was impressive and it took some effort for the boy to not back away. There was no denying the validity of her points but Suzaku believed with all his heart that in the long run his way was better. Kallen likely understood that but it was clear that she simply had no faith in him or the Princess. That was fair enough, she did not know him and the only reference she had was when the two were down in the tunnels trying to kill each other. She had also not met Euphemia either so she would not have experienced the Princess' willful conviction firsthand.

"Would you be willing to at least talk to the Princess?" Suzaku asked.

Kallen frowned. "Why should I?"

"Because I'd like you to at least give her a chance to convince you that she really does want to make things better."

"And how do I know this isn't some attempt on your part to stall so you can call in reinforcements to arrest me?" Kallen pressed.

"I've had all day to do that," Suzaku pointed out.

"If you think that gives you any credit you think too highly of yourself," Kallen replied. "I do not trust you, Suzaku Kururugi, your actions and convictions do not suggest integrity, they suggest a self-absorbed need for vindication. You want me to give the Princess a chance to explain myself? Why? So that I'll agree that you were right and I was wrong? You think too highly of yourself, Suzaku. Other people's lives do not exist for your own self-satisfaction."

Suzaku felt as if he had been punched. Was that really how he appeared to Kallen? No, she was just being bitter. She had to be. He was trying to help people, trying to make sure as few people as possible died on both sides. Why could Kallen not see that? Why did she refuse to see that?

"Why can't you see the harm you're causing?" Suzaku asked. "The people you're killing and getting killed?"

"I do see them," Kallen replied coldly. And then she blinked. "That's it."

Suzaku frowned, almost daring to hope. "What?"

"You feel guilty," Kallen said. "You're trying to make yourself feel better about having to kill your own people as a Britannian soldier. That's why you're so dogged about the whole reforming the Empire from the inside. It's got nothing to do with making things better for our people, it's about your own goddamn sense of guilt!"

Suzaku staggered back.

"You're wrong!" Suzaku shouted. "I do want to make things better!"

"Then why can you only think of your way as the only way!?" Kallen snapped. "You're placing your own self-satisfaction above our own people and you're too fucking blind to see it!"

The boy clutched his head. "No, you-you're wrong, all you're doing is getting more people killed!"

"All I'm doing is getting shitheads like you killed," Kallen countered. "Do you really expect me to feel bad about that!?"

With a scream Suzaku lunged at Kallen but before the girl even had a chance to defend herself a blur flashed past her and Suzaku's head slammed against the roof. The boy moaned pitifully as C.C. kept him pinned.

"Raise thy hand against milady again, cad, and thou shall meet thy Maker this day."

"You-what are you!?" Suzaku asked. "You were in that container, there was supposed to be poison gas but you were inside instead!"

"Tis most impolite to inquire a lady's secrets," C.C. said with a harsh grin.

"Are you done?" Kallen asked, towering over the boy. "Or should I have Cecilia toss you over the fence and tell the police you tried to assault me? Whose word will they believe I wonder, an Honorary Britannian or the Stadtfeld daughter?"

"I thought you hated how nobles abused their power," Suzaku said bitterly.

"And I thought you wanted to reform the system from inside out," Kallen replied. "Or are you saying that what you just tried now wasn't attempted assault?"

Despite him being the one on the ground Suzaku had to admit Kallen had a point. She really could go to the police and claim completely truthfully he made the first move. She would not even need to rely on her standing as a noble's daughter, they would believe her without hesitation just because he was an Eleven. Worst of all however was what Lloyd and Cécile might think. They had had done so much for him, could he repay them by causing a scandal of such magnitude?

"We're done," Suzaku finally said.

"I can't hear you," Kallen said, leaning over.

"We're done," Suzaku said louder. "I won't report you to my superiors and I won't cause any more trouble for you at school."

The way the girl eyed him was unnerving, it was as if she could see right through him. Would she actually believe him? Or would she choose to follow through with a more permanent solution? Suzaku did not want to hurt her but he would fight back. Assuming of course he was even a match for the two girls.

"I'll take your word for it," Kallen finally said, "for whatever that word is worth."

A slight irritation burned inside Suzaku. If she held his word in so low regard, why was she accepting it? But he knew. She had really managed to peg him. After being so dismissed there was no way his pride would allow him to break that word, at least for a while.

"I just ask one thing in return," Suzaku said.

"What, you want me to get the boys off your back?"

Speaking of which, the angle that Kallen was standing at was starting to make things incredibly awkward. Suzaku looked away, hoping that his blush would go unnoticed.

"No, that's not it," he said quickly. "I just want you to keep an open mind, to look objectively at what the Princess is doing. Give her a chance to prove herself instead of just dismissing her out of hand."

Kallen raised an eyebrow. "Fine, I'll do that. But if she turns out to be another Clovis don't expect any of us to hold back."

Suzaku winced at that seeing as Clovis had ultimately paid with his life for his actions in Japan.

"Hey, why are you blushing?" Kallen suddenly asked.

He winced again. Oh crap.

"Oh you pervert!"

The last thing Suzaku remembered was a kick to his head. It was a most familiar sensation, providing final confirmation that Kallen really was the girl he met down in the tunnels. Not that said confirmation was needed or wanted at this point.

"Thou art certain the boy will keep his word?" C.C. asked as the two left the unconscious Suzaku on the roof.

"For now at least," Kallen said. "We're going to need to prepare some contingencies though, in case we need to bug out quickly."

"Prudent," C.C. agreed, "though I be loath to abandon the comforts thy degree bestows."

"Don't get too comfy," Kallen said. "We're fighting a war, not having a weekend picnic. For the meantime though I'm going to need to talk to Ohgi about this. If Suzaku really is telling the truth about the new Viceroy we may need to adjust our strategy."

"Methinks the boy was earnest."

"Me too, but what he believes and what is really the case are two different things," Kallen said, circling down the stairs back into the hallways. "He might just be deluding himself because he needs to believe that what he's doing will make a difference."

As they rounded a corner a brunette nearly bumped into Kallen.

"Ah, Kallen, there you are!" Shirley exclaimed.

"Oh, Shirley, you were looking for me?" Kallen said, her face reverting to a more relaxed expression.

"Well you were gone for a long time so Milly got a bit worried and so I volunteered to go look for you." The girl looked about. "Umm, is everything settled between you and Suzaku?"

Kallen thought for a moment before responding. "No, not really. But so long as he stays away from me I don't expect there to be any problems."

"Oh, I see," Shirley said with a frown. "He didn't seem a bad sort when he came with Princess Euphemia."

"Huh? He came with the Princess?" Kallen said in surprise.

The other girl nodded. "She introduced him and asked us to look out or him while he was attending Ashford. You weren't here for that, since Milly didn't want to keep you around that late."

Kallen thought back, recalling the day when Milly had canceled the meeting. She had not thought to ask, only focusing on the opportunity it gave her to slip out of the ghettos with C.C. Apparently that was an oversight.

"I wouldn't say he's a bad person," Kallen found herself slightly backtracking. "He and I just don't see eye to eye on a few things. It'd be better if we didn't bump into each other and end up causing more friction to develop between us, that's all."

"Is that so?" Shirley said thoughtfully, stroking her chin. "Hmm, might it be that you're interested in him?"

"No," Kallen said immediately and firmly while C.C. did not try very hard to suppress a snicker.

"Hmm, well if you say it that way then that's probably not it," Shirley said.

"Anyway, is there anything else that needs to be done today?" Kallen asked, changing the subject as quickly as she could.

"Oh, no, we've finished the work for today," Shirley said. "You really were gone for a while, you know."

Kallen offered the girl a reassuring smile. "Sorry about that Shirley. And thanks for coming for me."

"No problem," the girl said with a bright smile. "You're a friend on the student council, of course we'd worry."

Shirley Fennette, Kallen mused, was a carefree girl that did not seem to think too much about the harshness of the world around her. That however did not make her a bad person.

"Say, Shirley, what do you think of the new viceroy, Princess Euphemia?"

"Umm, she's rather young for such a position, at least I think so," Shirley said, tapping her fingers together. "Let's see, she's I think the Third Princess? And I think she's actually sixth in line to the throne. That's pretty impressive actually, didn't we learn in class that the emperor decides the succession purely at his own discretion?"

"Something like that," Kallen said, "though he's supposed to take into account the opinions of the great peers of the court."

"Right," Shirley said with a nod. "Say, you really do know your stuff even with missing so much class."

Kallen smiled wirily. "Being in bed all the time means I have lots of time to read."

"I'm sorry," Shirley said quickly. "I didn't mean to-I mean-"

"It's alright," Kallen assured the girl, her smile taking on a gentler appearance. "But anyway, I just wanted to hear what your personal opinion on the Princess was. Not just her official position, but her as a person since you met her."

"Umm, well she seemed very nice," Shirley said. "She's actually enrolled in the school, but can't actually sit classes because of her duties. She worked out an arrangement with the headmaster for her to do schoolwork and sit exams remotely."

Kallen frowned thoughtfully. "That's, interesting."

"She does seem to take education seriously, well, more seriously than me," Shirley said with a chuckle. "Maybe that's why she helped sponsor Suzaku for the school."

"Maybe," Kallen muttered.

Shirley glanced over at the girl. "You know, if you want to learn more about the Princess you should probably ask Milly."

Kallen looked over quizzically. "Milly?"

The brunette nodded. "Yep. Milly's family used to be nobles before, well, political stuff happened."

Kallen chuckled. It was very much like Shirley to describe the cutthroat politics of the imperial court as 'stuff.'

"Anyway, she used to live in Pendragon and knows the Princess from back then," Shirley said, brushing aside the obvious unpleasantness for why Milly no longer lived in the capital.

"I see," Kallen said. "Thanks Shirley."

The girl responded with a bright smile as they reached the student council room. "Happy to help."

As the door opened and excited voice called out.

"Ah, Kallen! Shirley, get her in here!"

Without hesitation Shirley took hold of Kallen's hand and pulled her deeper into the room. This time Kallen remembered not to resist and so was dragged in without much difficulty by the officially stronger swim team girl.

"President, target retrieved!" Shirley said with one arm raised.

"Excellent! Rivalz, out!"

"Yes ma'am," the boy said with a chuckle.

As he passed Kallen he gave her a wink, leaving the girl only more confused.

"What's going on?" Kallen asked.

"Well it's just that as a member of the student council we need to get your measurements!" Milly said with a huge grin.

Kallen's head snapped to face the beaming girl. "Huh?"

"You've at least heard of all the events we hold on campus right?" Milly explained. "Well the student council has a responsibility to take the lead and dress appropriately for whatever theme we're doing!"

"The swimsuit day, the ballroom dress day," Nina counted off a few examples.

"Seeing as you'll also be joining us, we need to get your measurements so that we can make sure we get clothes that will fit you!" Milly said cheerfully.

It took a few more seconds for those words to register. "WHAAAAAAAA!?"

Milly glanced over at C.C. "I'm sure you agree, Mademoiselle Cloutier, that engaging in group activities will help maintain Lady Stadtfeld's spirit?"

Kallen's head now snapped to gaze at C.C. A look of horror appeared on the redhead's face as she saw the amusement written all over the other girl's expression.

"Verily so," C.C. said with a grin that matched Milly's. "Please proceed Mademoiselle la Présidente."

"Merci, Mademoiselle Cloutier."

"Wait!" Kallen protested. "Don't I get a say in this!?"

"Don't bother resist, it'll just prolong things" Milly said, chackling. "On second thought resist all you want, we'll just get to enjoy it longer."

A cry of despair echoed from the student council room and Rivalz mentally pictured what was going on inside. It did kind of suck being stuck out here like this but it was a small price to pay to otherwise be involved in Milly's antics. Interesting times took on a whole different meaning with Ashford's student council president, that was for sure.

Lieutenant-Colonel Kyoshiro Tohdoh stepped an ornately decorated Japanese-style room. He came to a halt before a false wall with screens over six alcoves.

"I have arrived per your summons, honored representatives of Kyoto," Tohdoh said with a low bow.

"Please, make yourself comfortable, lieutenant-colonel," the figure behind the center-left alcove said.

"My thanks," Tohdoh replied before settling down onto his knees.

"A situation has arisen, one that requires great care in its handling," another voice spoke up. "The Numbers Administration Council has been instructed to send representatives to Clovis' memorial ceremony, representatives drawn from all of the noble houses."

"We dare not decline, but Britannia is unlikely to move against us at such public an event," a third voice said. "The new viceroy however has made an interesting request. She has invited Kirihara-sama and Sumeragi-sama to direct, one-on-one meetings after the ceremony."

That was interesting, Tohdoh agreed. Prince Clovis had tended to keep the members of the NAC at arm's length, barely acknowledging their existence even at official events that required their presence. And while the Princess Euphemia might have a straightforward reason to speak with Kirihara Taizou, the official Japanese leader of the NAC, her reasons for wanting to meet with Sumeragi Kaguya, the youngest representative, was more ambiguous.

"As I have said, we do not suspect treachery," the voice continued. "It would however be prudent to take measures to ensure the safety of Kirihara-sama and Sumeragi-sama. The difficulty is how to do so without arousing Britannia's suspicions or, offending their sensibilities."

Tohdoh nodded in acknowledgment of the point.

"We thus come to you, Lieutenant-Colonel Tohdoh," the first voice said. "The Princess has granted Kirihara-sama and Sumeragi-sama permission to bring along one retainer to their respective meetings. We request that members of the Four Holy Swords might be available to serve in this capacity."

"We are at your command," Tohdoh said, bowing his head. My warriors will not allow any harm to come to Kirihara-dono and Sumeragi-dono while they draw breath."

"Excellent," one of the representatives said. "In addition, we feel that it would be beneficial if your subordinates might be instructed to make note of any martial matters that may arise in conversation and advise their respective charges accordingly."

So the Six Houses intended this to use the meeting with the viceroy to both gauge the Princess' political position and what her intentions might be in dealing with the various resistance movements. Clever, assuming the Princess did not find out and take umbrage at such discourtesy.

"I will instruct them to do so," Tohdoh said however.

The shadow shifted, indicating a nod. "We thank you for your service, Lieutenant-Colonel."

So dismissed Tohdoh bowed before retreating out of the room, already considering how best to complete his mission. Senba was old but wise and seeing as the Britannians were unlikely to actually threaten the NAC representatives his mind was important than any dulling of his form. He would do well as Kirihara-dono's escort. The question was who should escort Sumeragi-dono. No, there was no question seeing as there was only one answer. Chiba was the only appropriate choice here. She was one of the younger members of the Swords but her mind was as sharp as any of Tohdoh's other blades. Chiba would guard the young Sumeragi heir well and see that the right questions be asked. And maybe they would all find out from just what cloth this Princess Euphemia was cut. Might Japan have received a viceroy that had the vision to see beyond her own self-importance? Tohdoh would not be holding his breath on that count. But neither would he dismiss that possibility out of hand completely. He might be a mere soldier but he understood the political realities of the day. It was Britannia that held the fate of Japan in its palm, not the people to whom the land rightfully belonged to. As such it was up to the viceroy, representative of Britannia's will, whether the Japanese suffered or prospered. That may yet change in the future but they lived in the present. Tohdoh eagerly awaited to see what kind of present their new viceroy would deliver, and what kind of future she would promise.

Suzaku did not know how long he had been out for but with the fading light it was obvious evening was almost upon them. The boy rubbed his head, wincing at the bruise from Kallen's kick. He had learned that the noble girl was reputed to be sickly and frail. At this point he did not doubt for a moment that that was all just an act. Kallen Stadtfeld could be absolutely merciless when she was given cause and in some respects Suzaku knew he was technically at fault. Peeking up a girl's skirt was not something a gentleman should do after all.

"Well, might as well get back to the barracks," the boy muttered to himself.

Picking himself up, Suzaku brushed off his uniform before heading to the roof door. He gave the handle a twist but all he got was a clicking sound.

"Are?" The boy twisted again. "Are, are?"

The door was locked. Suzaku looked around. Now how was he supposed to get down from here?

End of Chapter 7

Note: I already mentioned this in an addendum like two chapters back but the way that the Six Houses get referred to will be following a convention. See said addendum for more details.

I need to time my releases better. Within 24 hours of my update my thing gets buried by six other works? Yeah, not really the best way to achieve exposure.

No, I don't think I'm going to do a C.C. x Kallen pairing either. My head hurts just thinking of how that would even work with the two's personalities. It'd probably be hilarious, but I'd probably hate every moment of coming up with ways to write it.

Petain would have been perfect for a role I need filled later on, unfortunately in the real world by the time Code Geass takes place he's already dead and buried. So I'll need to find someone else's name to drag through the mud.

It's actually kind of amazing, the bulk of this chapter was taken up with two scenes. I'm not really sure I moved the plot along that much, but this is just more setup. I have plans for what the next action-related sequence will be but Code Geass has a lot of, dialogue heavy vibes due to a lot of stuff being centered on opposing ideology. Granted the ideology on display in Code Geass has about the complexity of a brick and the consistency of Swiss cheese, the series itself can get really wordy in places. The characters and plot could have been so much more interesting if the writers had bothered adding some actual depth to the characters or making them think beyond their initial intentions. But no, we got the mess that was the second season where the idiot ball got tossed back and forth between almost all of the characters.

Having said all that, this fic is moving a lot more slowly than In Tune was at this point. Or at least it feels like it. I'll have to see if I need to adjust pacing or just start pumping out longer chapters to cram in everything I want to happen and to hell with my self-imposed word limits.

Oh, for those people who don't want to get too spoiled by the opening snippets, I'll be putting ratings on how spoiling I consider each snippet at the end of the notes from now on.

Anyway, if you've enjoyed, leave a review. If you have questions, leave a review. If you have complaints, leave a review. I think I answered all questions thus far asked.

What tis thy name, boy. – What is your name, boy.

And thou be of no harm to mine mistress? – And you are no danger to my mistress?

The duty that was bestowed upon I. Observeth well milady, doust thee sense duplicity in Monsieur Kururugi's words? – The duty I was given. Look carefully milady, does Monsieur Kururugi seem to be lying?

Thou shalt find deeds greater than words where mine charge be concerned boy. Milady, I suggest thou stayeth thy hand till the sooth of his words be beheld. He may be a carl but not necessarily be he a blackguard. – You will find deeds greater than words as far as my charge is concerned, boy. Milady, I suggest you stay your hand until the truth of the matter is determined. He may be commoner but he is not necessary a scoundrel.

I trust thou will not be so couth as to levant from milady. – I trust you will not be so crass as to run away before the matter is settled.

Thy speech be most eloquent, Mademoiselle la Présidente. – You are most eloquent, Madam President.

Ah so thou hast chosen to forge thy own portion. – Aha so you have chosen to forge your own destiny.

Tis be a man that stands before us, milady. An idealist, mayhaps even a mooncalf, but a man nonetheless. Tis a hard path he hast chooseth to walk. – A man stands before us, milady. An idealist, maybe even a foo, but a man nonetheless. It is a hard path he has chosen to walk.

Raise thy hand against milady again, cad, and thou shall meet thy Maker this day. – Raise your hand against milady again, (cad means someone who behaves dishonorably towards women), and you shall meet your Maker this day.

Tis most impolite to inquire a lady's secrets. – It is most impolite to inquire about a lady's secrets.

Verily so. Please proceed Mademoiselle la Présidente. – Indeed. Please proceed Madam President.