Broken Valkyrie's Ascent [Code Geass]

[Naron]

It was a pleasant day. Bright sunlight shone from the cloudless sky, reflected by countless buildings atop Tokyo Settlement. The topmost layer of the Britannian city literally rose above its surroundings, both a statement and a deterrent. The crowds paid what dwelled beyond no mind, colourful yet ignorant.

To Kaguya, it felt unwelcoming. Though she was part of the crowd, the sneers directed at her revealed what issues hid under the pretty facade. She was not a freedom fighter, nor did she dress outlandish for their tastes. Only her distinctly Japanese features were to their dislike, with Kaguya's long, black hair almost like a signalling post. It drew the eye, from which one then noticed the rest.

Shopping was her guilty pleasure, with emphasis on 'guilty'. Kaguya had the money to afford spending like this where her fellow Japanese wallowed in the slums, or worked themselves into an early grave with menial labour around here. In fact, she could feel the other 'Honourary Britannians' stares boring into her. They could tell from her clothes, a light blouse and jeans that did not look out of place from the crowd. They were fairly new, not like their worn-down things.

She was well aware nobody liked her here, neither her own people nor the Britannians. The casual derision and outright staring had her almost grasp the hidden taser's handle for calm. She felt like some rare animal at the zoo, quietly bemoaning that she refused a guard. Yet being unknown was a greater shield than a goon; having a suit shadow her would signal someone worth abducting to whoever was willing or desperate enough to try. But the constant worry was almost as bad.

This happened each time she came to Tokyo. Each time Kaguya wondered if this was really worth it. And each time she ended up coming back. Vanity was unbecoming, but she could not help it.

Though somewhat lost in thought, her attention remained on the area. She purposefully kept to the main streets, using the crowds for protection from any ruffians. Sneers and snide comments were the worst she had to fear here.

That attention was why she spotted something unusual just ahead of her preferred shopping area: a girl in a wheelchair, head down with an open book in her lap. She seemed unaware of the stares she garnered, almost as bad as what Kaguya got.

That was definitely odd, considering Britannia's stance on disabilities. People like her were usually kept out of sight. Kaguya's attention stayed long enough to notice the sundress she wore, quietly wondering if this was not a little cold for April. Then again, today was rather warm.

The girl's wheelchair had been parked next to an empty bench. All the rest were occupied, but nobody seemed willing to be near her. The sight tugged on Kaguya's heartstrings, a distant reminder of another girl like this. Someone she once called friend. Childish though the memory was, it never quite left.

She was not sure why she approached the girl. There was no reaction given as she drew near, which Kaguya took as a good sign. She took the time to study her a moment longer, but was taken by how that pale blonde hair cascaded down her back in visible curls. It may even be longer than Kaguya's own.

"May I sit here?", she asked in fluent Britannian, clearly surprising the other girl. Her head finally turned up, which surprised Kaguya in turn: her eyes were closed. The familiarity of this encounter began to feel surreal.

The girl herself brightened up. "Of course," she answered. "Please do."

So Kaguya sat and snuck a glance at the book before it was closed; much like she expected, it was in braille.

"Are you out on your own?" she asked next, curious despite herself. The answer was obvious to anyone, but it felt like a decent icebreaker.

The other girl shook her head in response. "Oh, no. My maid is buying groceries, so I asked to come along for some fresh air."

A light frown snuck onto her expression as she said it, though it smoothed out quickly. Kaguya did not really process it anyway, too busy re-evaluating after hearing the word 'maid'. This was not just anyone, but rather a wealthy commoner or perhaps even a minor noble.

The answer was followed by a somewhat awkward silence. Kaguya was stuck, trying to decide whether she should make up a painfully obvious excuse to leave, or risk being chased away once the maid returned. And then there were the renewed stares she now became aware of. People whispered, too quiet to hear for Kaguya. But the other girl's head twitched ever so slightly and her frown reappeared for a moment. It was already gone when she turned back to Kaguya.

"You, may I have your name?"

Though Kaguya kicked herself internally, her rigorous training made her not cringe visibly. She really wanted to, though, after forgetting something that basic.

"Of course, I'm sorry I forgot. I'm Kaguya."

She expected some sort of reaction as a matter of course. Perhaps disgust, or a demand to leave the girl alone. Then she remembered that losing one's sight would enhance the other senses, so the other girl already knew.

"Kaguya," she tested the name curiously. There was an odd tone to her soft voice, but the Japanese girl could not put it right now.

"How old are you, Kaguya?"

"Thirteen."

"So the same age as me."

She started smiling for some unfathomable reason, apparently not at all bothered by sitting next to a Number. Kaguya knew being a Honourary Britannian meant less than the paper it was written on cost. She was an Eleven to most Britannians, just like her once proud country became Area Eleven all those years ago.

But here was this girl, looking back down at her book with this unfathomable smile. The silence at least gave Kaguya a chance to get her bearings.

"What's your name?" she asked back, well aware the other girl had not given hers yet. It made that little smile return at once, as if she were privately amused about something.

"It's Nunnally," she said while facing Kaguya again.

Silence followed her introduction. Kaguya could only stare wordlessly as everything clicked into place. It was supposed to be impossible, but it could hardly be a lie; nobody knew they were once friends. It all fit, too; the invalidity, the blindness, the age, even her looks were similar. The hair was longer, her face lost the baby fat just like Kaguya's did, but it still looked so nostalgic.

She barely kept the emotions from her face. It was too good to be true, which was why she remained wary. Kaguya needed certainty first, so she hummed in thought.

"How is your brother doing these days?" she asked, the non-sequitur not even surprising Nunnally. It may be they played the same game.

"Oh, just as usual. Lelouch sleeps through half his classes because he's so bored, then goes off to gamble on chess matches."

Here Nunnally giggled a little and leaned in conspiratorially. "He even thinks I don't know about those, but it's an open secret at school."

Kaguya's mind raced, eyes narrowed as she tried to figure out what Nunnally meant to tell her here. Moreover, she dropped Lelouch's name on her own. Kaguya had to accept that it was actually true.

"Ashford?"

"Of course. The headmaster was so kind to accept me despite the obvious."

She motioned at herself with something approaching nonchalance, which was unlike what Kaguya remembered of her. The melancholy's grip grew so strong that she did not want to play cat and mouse anymore. But even just the off-chance she was lost in fantasy was too much a risk. She could not just take the plunge.

"Say my name. Please."

Nunnally smiled and did as asked: "Sumeragi Kaguya."

She even did it in the correct order, last name first.

Kaguya only barely did not break down, though she wanted to cry very much. Instead, she shuffled a little closer and snaked her hand into Nunnally's. Her old friend squeezed it gently.

"I never thought I'd see you again," Kaguya murmured.

"Right back at you."

Nunnally had been openly declared dead seven years ago. Meanwhile, Kaguya's fate remained unknown as she all but vanished from public perception. She was still young enough to slip under the radar of business rivals. The one member of the big six not advertised due to age; nobody wanted to risk her getting abducted.

Both of them were smiling now, oblivious of the stares, societal obligations, or anything else.

"I'm glad you're alright," Nunnally said, which Kaguya could only echo. To meet like this was a miracle in itself.

They caught up quietly on the others' life; Nunnally stayed with the Ashfords, Kaguya was squirreled away at Mt. Fuji. Neither of them went out to Tokyo often, Nunnally due to her disabilities and Kaguya because she was swamped in work as head of Sumeragi Zaibatsu. She carefully did not mention anything about Kyoto House, though; being part of a group arming freedom fighters was better kept away from the public.

Despite it all, there was a silent understanding that neither of them had done much of anything. Nunnally was confined in one way, Kaguya in another.

"How fitting for the Eleven and the cripple to waste space together," some middle-aged woman groused in passing. She was loud enough for Kaguya to hear, so Nunnally definitely did. Yet the other girl only moved her head the slightest bit. Kaguya squeezed her hands harder for a moment, uncertain whether it was for her own sake or Nunnally's.

"Sorry about that," she started. "I imagine it happens to you often enough."

Nunnally's smile was reassuring.

"Don't apologise for the actions of others, please. I'm alright and have everything I need. In fact, I have even more than that after getting to see you again."

And just like that Kaguya forgot the insults. Her own lips quirked up as well, almost magnetically bound into a smile of her own. She did not quite get what Nunnally giggled about just then, but it did not really matter. Kaguya was just happy they were still friends, like no time passed at all since last they spoke.

"Actually," Nunnally tried a moment later, a little hesitant, "may I have your number?"

She hopefully held out her cellphone, which Kaguya immediately snatched up. "Of course," she said while putting it in. The dearth of numbers in her friend's address book was graciously ignored.

"Now give me yours?"

Her question was answered with a string of numbers that she put into her own phone. Nunnally had it memorised and did not hesitate to share.

"I see the young mistress is in good company," a new voice announced itself. When Kaguya looked up, phone still in hand, she saw a clearly Japanese woman in a western style maid dress. The lady stood perfectly straight even while carrying a sizable bag of groceries. One could call her plain beside that, with short brown hair and a serene smile.

Kaguya threw a speculative look to Nunnally, more curious than suspicious. The other girl's smile had grown a fraction as she happily motioned for Kaguya.

"We're old friends," she explained. It was the first time either of them said the word, but it just felt right. Moreover, the maid clearly understood what Nunnally referenced here; a sharp look came Kaguya's way, studying her far more intently than before. But then the maid's gaze lowered to where they held hands once more and she relaxed. A small nod of acknowledgement was given to Kaguya, who returned it despite not quite knowing what went through the maid's head.

"I just realised I forgot something the young master asked me to bring," the maid then said, a faint smile on display. "May I ask you to keep the mistress company a while longer, miss?"

Now that she heard her speak longer, Kaguya realised that the older woman's Britannian was flawless; better even than Kaguya's own. She quickly agreed with the request, well aware this was just an excuse made for their sake.

She also noticed the suspicious quiet around them. There were no more agitated whispers from those who realised Nunnally could afford a maid; the implication that she was wealthy kept their tongues in check, though it did not stop the sneers.

Admittedly, Kaguya was curious too.

"You have a maid?"

Nunnally's answer began with a soft nod. "Well, I can hardly expect my brother to do everything. Even if he absolutely would if given the chance. Sayoko has been with us for about seven years now. It took a while for us to really get along, but I know I can trust her with everything."

"Everything?" Kaguya asked, just to be sure she meant it.

"Everything," Nunnally confirmed.

So the maid knew. But at the same time, Kaguya realised that her friend did not change her name. Lelouch apparently kept his, too.

"After all this time, you're still Nunnally," she settled on, a statement to hide the indirect question. Her hopes that Nunnally noticed were answered with a sad smile.

"Some things you just can't give up, no matter what."

The momentary break in her demeanour was wiped away about as soon as the last word was spoken. A contemplative silence followed, Kaguya now certain that the gentle persona was not entirely real. What she did not know was whether Nunnally showed her that on purpose. Then again, she had seen her friend throw vicious temper tantrums in the past; that knowledge may be how she noticed at all.

Kaguya wanted to pry into Nunnally's feelings, but refrained because she was aware it was too early to do so. Instead, she changed the subject to something more benign.

"So how is school? I never had a chance to go, so tell me about it."

Nunnally indulged her graciously. Her accounts might have been a little prettier than reality, but Kaguya as a home-schooled girl could not rightly tell.

They kept chatting for a while, swerving around any even remotely risky subject. Sayoko returned an hour later to fetch Nunnally, who sighed with some disappointment.

"I guess this is goodbye for now. Please call me as soon as you can, yes?"

"Of course," Kaguya agreed. "Does around nine work this evening?"

Nunnally tilted her head in thought before nodding. "It does, wonderful! Then I will hear from you soon, Kaguya."

They squeezed hands one final time while Sayoko dutifully took notes. Kaguya almost wanted to go for a hug, but knew there were still people watching.

"Bye bye!"

She felt she should wave, even though Nunnally would not see it. Instead she watched as Sayoko expertly maneuvered her charge through the crowds. She stayed in place until the pair vanished from sight, already reminiscing. It was not the first time something pleasant happened in Tokyo, but it was definitely the best encounter she had here.

Then she remembered her own shopping and got going again. Nunnally fell from her mind for a time, though their conversation left a pleasant haze behind. Most of her allotted shopping time was already spent, but that was fine. She did not even feel upset when one store turned her away for being a Number.

Another hour later, Kaguya covertly climbed a black car with tinted windows. A single bag of clothes sat on her lap, some Britannian sweets hidden at its bottom. She could never resist those.

"Good afternoon, Takeshi-san," she greeted the neatly dressed driver. "Thank you for the hard work."

"Good to see you in one piece, Sumeragi-sama."

It was all he said before the drive home took up his attention. Kaguya did not mind, well aware he preferred the quiet. Acting too familiar with your boss's boss was obviously not advisable, either.

After a few minutes spent in silence however, he spoke up again: "You seem to be in a good mood today."

"That I am," she agreed readily. "There are still nice people out there."

His snort was a clear enough response, though he did not actually challenge her about it. Japanese people were not well received among Britannians, but not all of them were bad. Many were just indifferent, which she still preferred.

And then there was Nunnally. The mere thought of having met her again felt like a fever dream; the odds of that happening were astronomically small and she doubted that it even happened for a moment. Yet Kaguya now had a new contact bearing Nunnally's name on her phone. She was tempted to call right now.

Then realisation struck her with the force of a sledgehammer. Kaguya's smile froze on her face and her entire body seized up for a moment.

Nunnally was an imperial princess. Even disinherited, that royal blood still meant something.

Kaguya's mind began to race with the possibilities. Backing from a Britannian princess could help the Japanese's fight for independence. She had a decent idea of how reverent people were of the royal family; old man Kirihara took her to several official functions as part of her lessons on how to navigate high society, which gave her great amounts of insight. Especially after seeing Prince Clovis on several of them. Not that she actually spoke to him beyond a faux reverent greeting.

A minute or two was spent fantasizing about the headway they could make with Nunnally's help.

Then reality caught up with Kaguya in a single, damning question: just how much more could be achieved with Nunnally as a hostage?

The thought alone felt heretical and put a severe damper on her mood. It was the prudent option, really. Nunnally would not be enthused about this, she was in hiding for a reason.

Kaguya thoughtlessly stared at the contact reading 'Nunnally' on her phone's display for a time. Then she changed it to just 'N'.

She was ready to give her time, her freedom, even her life for Japan. But this was where Kaguya drew the line. She knew without a shadow of doubt that Nunnally would be in horrible danger if anyone heard a single word of her survival. The Japanese were just as dangerous to her as the Britannians.

And then there was Lelouch. Just remembering he was also alive made Kaguya fully realise the mess she got herself in. She was now aware of a dangerous secret kept by a handful of people; if Lelouch was anywhere near as protective as she remembered him being, then breaking Nunnally's trust would be Kaguya's end.

Fear wormed its way into her heart at that thought. She was afraid of him, but not for her life. She still remembered the fire that burned in his eyes at times. If something happened to Nunnally because of Kaguya, Lelouch might not just kill her. He might finish what Britannia started and break the Japanese.

She knew she was jumping at shadows. Kaguya had not even met him. She never planned to exploit or hurt Nunnally. But the prospect of being responsible despite her best intentions filled her with dread.

She was tempted to delete the contact outright and wash her hands of it all. The screen asking for confirmation burned into her retinas as Kaguya hesitated. Then she cancelled it. She could not do that to her only friend, not when Nunnally was so happy to see her again after all this time.

So Kaguya sat in silence, anticipatory as well as worried. She silently bemoaned what happened to her day off.

She already felt that something irrevocably changed today. Yet she could never have anticipated the events that would follow this chance meeting.

---

And here we go. Time to give Nunnally the agency she has never gotten throughout all of canon Code Geass. And a bunch of other things I will not spoil here.

There is one thing I should mention now, though: while this setup may appear as a For Want of a Nail type story, where everything changes from a singular difference, this is not the case. I have done some background work to make CG canon's lore more coherent. These adjustments are inspired by Slayer Anderson whose CG Quest Semper ad Meliora is concluding after a five-years-long runtime. I can warmly recommend giving it a read.

 

[Naron]

Nunnally's good mood held for days. Even on Friday she still hummed to herself while holding onto some paperwork. She listened to the scratching of pens on paper and the rustle whenever a sheet was moved, receiving whatever came her way.

For once, her inability to do some of it herself barely bothered her.

"Now what do we have here?" Milly's voice disrupted the busy silence. From how it turned a little louder, the student council president must have fully turned Nunnally's way and leaned forward. "A rare cheerful mood from our junior member?"

The sounds of work cut off as everyone paused to indulge their most capricious member. Resistance was futile where Milly Ashford was concerned. Nunnally knew that too, not that she wanted to keep the matter to herself. She agreed readily while turning to the older girl in turn.

Then Rivalz chimed in from the side, just as playful as Milly had been: "Care to share what's got you in such a good mood? Anything Lelouch needs to go threaten someone over?"

Some chuckles followed from around the room, even Nunnally giggled. "Nothing like that," she denied with a little wave. "Though I like to think he wouldn't do that, even if I met someone. Though I technically did meet someone, just not like that."

The silence all around told her enough of everyone's curiousity. Nunnally was in such a good mood that she did not mind sharing at all. Of course Lelouch already knew, but he probably kept it to himself.

"I met an old friend a few days ago. She was just like I remembered her."

"That explains why you were so upbeat the last few days," Shirley mused. Nunnally graced her with a smile in response.

Meanwhile, Milly chuckled. "My, my. A friend we don't know about? When did you meet her first?" she asked, which gave Nunnally pause; the Ashford heiress was the only one here who knew the truth about them. Saying that it was before would make alarm bells ring in her mind.

Lelouch jumped in seamlessly to save her: "A few years back, it's been a while."

He then had to fend off some questions about already knowing, but nobody gave him much trouble about it. Them being close was no secret to anyone here. Nunnally just kept smiling to herself, at least until Rivalz turned back to her with audible confusion.

"Okay, but why haven't you seen each other in so long? Did she move away or something?"

"Or something, yes," she confirmed. "It was a bit complicated."

"And does this friend have a name?" Milly wanted to know next. "How about you invite her over so we can meet her?"

Nunnally nodded back. "I was meaning to invite her sometime soon, her schedule is just rather full at the moment. And I wanted to talk to you about it first."

"Oh, no problem at all. Now tell us more about her, inquisitive minds want to know."

Nunnally knew the older girl was being goofy on purpose, but she appreciated it; being the focus of attention was a rare occasion, at least in a positive sense. Most times people just kept hovering because of her condition, if they were kind about it at all.

Mulling it over, Nunnally put a finger to her chin. "Well, how to start? Kaguya is very sweet and considerate, not to mention smart. She told me she already took over most of her family business despite being my age."

She knew she had to be careful what to say exactly. But for some reason the answer she received was silence, the sort that felt somehow heavier than normal. Nunnally's head tilted ever so faintly, almost of its own volition. She did not give them anything incriminating. Perhaps they just waited for her to keep going.

"'Kaguya'?" Shirley repeated slowly just then. "Isn't that, you know, an Eleven name?"

More silence followed.

While the others waited for confirmation, Nunnally was dumbstruck. Her good mood took an immediate nosedive and familiar bile rose up from her gut. She carefully smoothed out her expression, head slowly turning toward Shirley; with the lack of reaction, she should have managed to hide how much that question upset her. The anger was pushed back down for now.

"Yes. Your point?"

Her response was too curt, but she could not help it. It was all she could dare doing to make her displeasure known. Perhaps it was not enough, seeing how Shirley did not pick up on her mood.

"I mean, it's just... are you sure you're alright? You know how Elevens are."

There were agreeing noises from Milly and also Nina, their most quiet member. Rivalz said nothing, just like Lelouch. Nunnally could not think about the implications for the moment, too busy fighting for composure.

She did not have problems like this normally. But after just meeting Kaguya again, she absolutely hated the prospect of someone, anyone badmouthing her. Especially Shirley, whom she sincerely expected more of. But she could hardly say that to her face.

While she still fought with herself, Rivalz picked up the conversation to prevent an uncomfortable silence: "I don't know, Nunnally is a good judge of character. Come on, you say something too."

He was clearly talking to Lelouch, seeing that his response followed right quick: "Is there any need to? Nunnally can be friends with whomever she wants to be."

"As long as you approve, of course."

The soft and smooth tone her brother took soothed her nerves a little, as did Rivalz's little joke. Nunnally even managed a weak smile, especially at the telling lack of response from Lelouch.

"But isn't it dangerous?", Shirley pressed, easily ruining their efforts. "You're always so careful with her, why risk her meeting an Eleven like that? Where did she even meet her?"

"P-Please tell me she didn't leave Tokyo," Nina added fearfully, the first time she actually spoke up in this whole thing. Her worry would have been touching, but right now it only compounded on the rising anger.

Nunnally's throat constricted, papers crinkling as she crushed them in her hand. Nobody noticed because they were all too busy talking to Lelouch, which was just typical. The moment he was there, everyone ignored her.

Her composure cracked then.

"I am right here and can be directly spoken to."

Her voice was devoid of warmth, a whipcrack that silenced the room. Nunnally stopped to bother looking sweet, frowning openly at where she knew Shirley stood from scent and sound.

"And Shirley, do please tell me how Elevens are, seeing that you are such an expert."

Nobody else dared interrupt. Shirley herself stuttered a little before actually finding her voice: "N-Now don't be like that, Nunna. I understand that you're happy to make a friend, but Elevens are still super dangerous. You know there's a lot of terrorist attacks, there's more and more each year. I'm just worried about you, we're friends after all."

She clearly meant to calm Nunnally down, but her words only managed the opposite. Nunnally hated being babied. She hated people acting like experts when they had no idea. And most of all, she hated others pretending to be her friends.

Pain blossomed in her forehead, a pounding headache out of nowhere. Nunnally ignored it away beyond a little wince, all her focus on scowling in Shirley's general direction.

"We're friends?" she asked back, voice calm once more. Tranquil and soft.

The immediate "Yes" from Shirley sounded all too self-assured. As if she thought Nunnally agreed, or was moved by a word with no meaning.

"You have a funny way of showing that, talking over my head and insulting someone you never met based on bias you got from the news instead of any personal experience. I would have accepted that from Nina, but not you."

There was a surprised noise from Nina at being addressed, but she did not speak up. Shirley tried to say something, but Nunnally cut her off. Her headache kept worsening, which only added to her foul mood.

"No. Excepting Lelouch, there is exactly one person in this room who takes time to talk to me and ask how I am. There is one other who occasionally spends time with me. You are neither of these two, it's Rivalz and Nina."

Nunnally left a pause for emphasis, the silence she inflicted weighing heavily on the group.

"Even that, I wouldn't call friendship, but they're both closer than you by miles. You're Lelouch's friend and ingratiate yourself with me, no more than that."

"Nunna...."

There was real hurt in Shirley's voice, but Nunnally did not care. If anything, that response only made her angrier.

"I said no!" she shouted back.

And something snapped.

The mental pain peaked, forcing her to pause on what she meant to say. Nunnally put her head in her hands, blinking.

"You don't get to act the victim after... after...."

She trailed off, still blinking at her fingers. The darkness was gone. Shirley said something in response, but Nunnally ignored her over what just happened.

Familiar hands touched her shoulder and she turned on instinct, only to see a familiar face. It changed from when they were little, but those lilac eyes were still the same. She never thought she would see them again.

Everything past Lelouch's face was blurry, so she focussed solely on him. His features were sharper than she remembered, more mature. Nunnally felt it often enough to know he changed, but the sight of it just drove the point home. Unshed tears glistened in his eyes, wide as they were in shock.

Nunnally felt much the same, her anger slowly replaced by surprised joy. She drank in the sight of him, fearful to close her eyes lest they would not open again. Then she had to blink, and they slid open again just as easily.

"Are you even... Nunnally?"

A blonde blob leaned into view, slowly sharpening into focus as a young woman. Milly recoiled and slapped a hand in front of her mouth as she met Nunnally's gaze.

"Stop it, Shirley. Her eyes are open!"

Everyone congregated around her in an instant, talking over each other. They seemed happy for her, but Nunnally could not understand much. To make matters worse, the noise they made added to the increased scent of three different perfumes. Combined with the sudden influx of sight, the overstimulation caused another horrible headache.

Nunnally was happy, but the pain drew her anger back out anyway. She had nowhere to put all these feelings and could not focus enough to get a hold of them.

In the end, she pushed everyone back.

"I need some time to myself," was all Nunnally told them. She received no response, but the noise of retreating footsteps told her they gave that space. Silence followed her as she maneuvered her wheelchair out of the room, eyes closed but peeking every few seconds. The colours were all so unfamiliar and too much, but she knew the way well enough in the darkness.

Nunnally counted seconds along the way as usual. This time however, she could not help but check how close she came to walls and such. Her vision grew blurry with tears, of which she gave no indication until in the safety of her and Lelouch's little flat. Only then did she allow herself to slump and sob. She had no other way to let all these feelings out.

Some time passed like this. Nunnally did not know how much and did not care. She only became attentive to the world when a tissue was pressed into her hand. She grasped it without thinking before looking at Sayoko. Her maid was just as surprised, but Nunnally only smiled.

"I can see now. Let me look at you?"

Reading the older woman's expression was hard; she had not seen anyone's face in years after all. Yet the gentle smile given to her was unmistakable. Sayoko kneeled before her, close enough Nunnally could cup her cheeks.

"Anytime."

This finally dispersed the last dregs of anger; it returned to bubbling in her gut where it belonged. Nunnally ended up feeling Sayoko's face as she studied it, putting sensation to sight.

"I lost my temper," she admitted. "Shirley was talking bad about Kaguya for being Japanese, and I just couldn't hold it in. I know she only means well, but I just couldn't take that sort of hypocrisy today. And then my eyes opened, somehow."

Her hands were dislodged when Sayoko dragged her into a tender embrace. Nunnally accepted it and leaned against her, unsure what to say or do now. A firm hand stroked her back.

"Shall I turn away visitors for now?" Sayoko inquired.

She considered for a moment, but shook her head. "I don't expect Milly or Shirley to come here. Nina and Rivalz might, but that is fine."

With her mind kicking back into gear, Nunnally eased herself out of Sayoko's arms. She tried for a serious look.

"Please find me some beginner's books," she ordered. "I want to read."

The realisation that she could do that now lit a new fire in her chest. Nunnally wanted to do all the things, reading and writing chief among them.

Sayoko did as told. She also tactfully said nothing about the quarter hour Nunnally spent in front of the mirror after washing her face.

Lelouch found her buried in books an hour later, hands aching from the unfamiliar movement of directing a pencil. Her letters still came slow and scrawly after seven years of neglect, but she did not let that stop her. She only realised he was there when a familiar hand clasped her left.

"Your hands will cramp up if you do this for too long. Take a break."

"Hence why I alternate hands every ten minutes," she shot back demurely. Lelouch took the pencil from her hand regardless. Nunnally glowered at him momentarily, but accepted his fussing. It was not like she started from zero, she just did not get far before that day.

For his part, Lelouch hugged her tightly. Nunnally forgave him at once.

"I am so happy for you," he whispered into her ear. "I knew you could get over that mental block."

She heard his faint sniffle, well aware her proud big brother was crying. The knowledge alone drove tears to Nunnally's eyes as well, but she held them in. They held each other tightly, basking in shared joy.

But Nunnally still kept thinking. Right now was a moment her brother would agree to a lot more than normal. She never had to beg for anything, but with her eyes available...

"Say, can I have a gun?"

Lelouch just stopped for a moment upon hearing that. He pulled back slowly and with confusion even Nunnally could identify.

"What for?"

"Protection?" she asked back innocently.

They stared at each other, Nunnally expectant while Lelouch was just dumbfounded. Then he shook his head. "You have a perfectly good taser," he lectured. "You don't need a gun."

"One of these does not work so well when you're sat in a wheelchair," Nunnally argued back. The reminder of her continued invalidity managed to sour her mood a bit; she did not bother hiding the edge to her voice. "We both know the taser was the only option while I was blind."

"That doesn't mean you need a gun."

"Maybe not need, but I want one."

She was not even sure what she would use it for, but she wanted it anyway. Sadly, she seemed to have pushed for too much after all; Lelouch shook his head.

"Still no."

Nunnally crossed her arms at that. She continued to pout at him for the rest of the day, convinced he owned at least one gun. Unfortunately, she had no idea where he hid them.

Everyday life at the Lamperouge residence quickly turned busy after that.

For Sayoko, the sight was envigorating. She had never seen her young mistress apply herself so readily. Even the weeks-long delay in her scheduled playdate with the Sumeragi girl did not seem to bring her down, though her friend being busy was understandable.

"Has she been like this before it happened?" Sayoko asked Lelouch quietly while the mistress worked away her Sunday.

He shook his head in response. "In a sense yes, but not really. She just started her actual tutoring back then. Nunnally was a little hellion as a child, always running around. Mother never scolded her for climbing trees or sliding down the bannisters. She only told her not to do it when guests were over."

He bore a faint smile as he recounted days long past, for once not bitter. Although it faded somewhat when he found back to their conversation: "I appreciate how hard she works, but she might hurt herself if she keeps going like this."

"Worry not," Sayoko reasurred him warmly. One hand found its way onto his shoulder to spend comfort. "Nunnally is a strong girl. She breaks before she bends, and a bit of work is not nearly enough to get her there. Although I noticed that she has grown a touch colder the last two days. Perhaps this is just how much she focusses, but have you noticed anything like that?"

Her change of subject caused a momentary grimace. Lelouch nodded.

"The student council feels it more than you do. Nunnally is perfectly polite with everyone, but she stopped smiling much. I told Milly long ago that she didn't like being a de-facto mascot with nothing to really do, but she didn't listen. I guess now Nunnally actually lets her know it, too."

"We both know the young Ms. Ashford only wished to include her," Sayoko mused gently. "Though I agree. I wonder why the mistress never said anything?"

Her question yielded no answer; she could tell even Lelouch did not know.

Before either of them could actually start theorising, a tap on the ground distracted them. It was not a supicious noise, but unusual enough to warrant attention. Lelouch and Sayoko rose as one to check on Nunnally, only to find her dragging herself into the bathroom on her arms.

Lelouch almost teleported with how fast he appeared by her side. He was not strong in body, but did not care one whit for it as he feebly lifted up his sister; Sayoko stood back to let him have his pride, though she kept ready to catch Nunnally in case his arms gave out. They never did when it was his sister, but caution never hurt.

"What were you doing?" he chided gently. "We're both right here, you could have called."

Nunnally frowned back at him, almost petulant in her response: "I wanted to do it myself."

"But you don't have to, you know that. I don't mind helping and neither does Sayoko."

"It's not about you minding."

"Then what is it about?"

"About doing it myself."

She did not raise her voice through the whole exchange, but there was a hint of a growl to it by the end. Lelouch noticed just like Sayoko, though he was taken aback where she just nodded sagely. Sayoko understood now.

With that new understanding, she wordlessly took Lelouch from the bathroom and closed the door. Once she thought the young mistress was unable to hear them, she explained to him.

"Please consider the matter from your sister's perspective for a moment. While it is true neither of us will mind or hesitate to aid her, she just got a first taste of independence. At the rate she learns, she won't need to depend on me to transcribe her homework before long. She no longer needs others to see for her. Is it any wonder she tries to do as much on her own as she can?"

Lelouch hummed in thought as she spoke. Then he made a bit of a face.

"That makes sense, but I'm not sure I like her thought process. What if she pushes too far and hurts herself?"

How very like him to just keep worrying. Sayoko graced Lelouch with a kind smile in response. "That is what we are here for," she said. "When the young mistress reaches her limits, we will be there to prop her up and raise her beyond them. As a family should."

Her absolute certainty made him calm down at last, it even drew out a chuckle.

"Sometimes I wonder if you're our maid or our mother," Lelouch teased.

"Alas, I can only be your maid."

Her being Japanese did not allow anything else. Then again, official documents had no influence on her feelings, or on his. They both understood that.

Lelouch let the matter drop like this. "So what do we do about Nunnally? Knowing her, she's too pig-headed to stop this anytime soon."

"Perhaps some light exercises for her arms?" Sayoko suggested in turn. "That way we know she can move around on her own if need be. I can oversee her practice."

He agreed readily and, as per usual, spent half the night researching; a training plan was drawn up and Nunnally's diet adjusted to accomodate the exercise. Lelouch then slept through half his classes on Monday, also as per usual. Sayoko simply smiled when she heard about that part from Milly.