A/N: Thank you all for the reviews…well at long last the next chapter has been posted and yes Sasami and Lelouch well…enough said but yeah. Don't expect any lemons from me I was only able to do one once and since then I have felt uncomfortable writing them so I'll leave the rest up to you guys on that. Anyway this chapter might be a little short but only because I am running out of things to do until the Day of Fury event.

Anyway without further delay here we go.

Chapter 26

Love is a Battlefield

It was almost mid day, or at least as far as Lelouch could tell, but he awoke at last with an array of thoughts swirling about his mind. Specifically on last night as his own breathing was synchronized with that of the beautiful woman sleeping in his embrace prompting Lelouch to gently run his fingers upon Sasami's soft rounded curves and her smooth, gentle hips.

'Such a perfect body…'

Lelouch thought as the logical part of his mind urged him to resist, but how could he refuse her especially possessing a body that was inviting and ripe, which that notion was reinforced as Lelouch's fingers memorized and taking in each graceful line and swell. Lelouch could only describe what happened last night as the floodgates of passion, suppressed desire and longing unleashed without warning. Once Sasami gave in Lelouch's resistance crumbled away like a fragile house of cards. How long it went on for the former Britannian prince couldn't remember, but his whole body was tried and a little sore so Lelouch was unable to move. Maybe he just didn't want to move and disturb Sasami, or maybe it was both.

He wondered about last night, wondering if what they had done was foolish.

Lelouch couldn't say he didn't regret it, but he never would have thought that Sasami would succumb to her hormones and desires for Lelouch.

'We have been sharing a bed together, so it was foolish for me not to think this could happen.'

The prince thought correcting himself mentally while taking into the account the times they have went into the hot springs together and held one another in bed, so he would be foolish on the account of not seeing it coming. Unknown to Lelouch however was that Sasami was awake, but like him she was both tired and a bit sore from what happened while a thought in her head was repeating itself.

'Idiot.'

Like a chant that single word repeated itself in her mind as Sasami wasn't calling Lelouch an idiot, but rather herself an idiot. How could she do this? She surprised Lelouch with her sudden aggressiveness, but Lelouch already trying to keep his own hormones in check lost self-control within minutes and the rest of the night was a blur. Yet if it was any indication of how tried and sore both young lovers were then taking in their entangled state provided enough of an indication that their passionate lovemaking was intense.

"Sasami," Lelouch began as the teal-haired girl's eyes snapped wide open.

"Lelouch…I am sorry…I…" Sasami began apologetically.

"Why?"

"Huh?"

That reply through Sasami in a loop as their positions shifted and Sasami was lying down while Lelouch moved atop of her hovering over her face.

"But we should have done this, but…I…"

"What is done is done."

"But…I…" A very flushed and seemingly ashamed Sasami began, but Lelouch silenced her with a kiss. The kiss lasted for a full two minutes before parting. The Juraian Princess's face was flushed pink as she locked gazes with Lelouch as the young man above her had nothing but a tender and understanding look in his eyes.

"Sasami this was inevitable, married or not. I don't regret what happened last night despite how sudden it was. If anything I am just as much to blame for what happened since I didn't put enough of an effort to stop it."

"I am sorry it's just I don't know…I felt afraid."

'Afraid…ah I understand now.'

Lelouch gave it some thought and realized what Sasami meant, she was afraid of not being his first as promised. Yet Lelouch considered if this was some excuse the guilty princess was just trying to make for herself to justify her reasons for last night, but at this point reason and justification was null and void.

"It doesn't matter now; it doesn't change what I feel for you. But," Lelouch began as his lips curled into a mischievous smile, "since we have already done the deed how about a…second round?"

Sasami blushed, but she didn't protest as Lelouch leaned in and kissed her which had the strange effect of the guilt she was feeling earlier to melt away as the love and passion that drove them through the night gained its second wind.

As Minaho and Kallen were meeting with Zhou Xianglin, Milly, after the student council meeting was over, decided to investigate Washu a little more closely since she was after all Sasami's roommate. Meanwhile Shirley was taking a more direct approach and intent on investigating Lelouch's room trying to find some clue as to how far Lelouch's relationship with Sasami had progressed.

She didn't want to think Sasami and Lelouch were sleeping together, but still nothing she tried to convince herself of wasn't easing the anxiety she was feeling.

After her initial search of his room he found nothing to suggest nothing out of the ordinary was happening or at least signs of any lovemaking happening recently. Yet after spending a half-hour of searching around the room the orange haired girl was satisfied with her search before preparing to leave, but on the way out as Shirley was putting back Lelouch's desk chair to its original location.

However she tapped the desk itself causing a familiar gold locket to fall off, a locket that had been recovered from Ryo-Ohki after the cabbit had tried to take it out of the room. Shirley knelt down to pick it up, but found that it had opened revealing a photo inside.

Upon seeing the photo a mix of sorrow and happiness could be seen shining within her eyes as he saw the photo of Lelouch and Sasami as children. Shirley couldn't help feeling envious, yet grateful at the same time that someone could make Lelouch finally smiling and actually be happy. Yet deep within her she felt sorrow that she would lose him to someone else, even if she was slowly making herself to the fact that Lelouch had found…no…had returned with the one that he had loved from so long ago.

Yet as she sadly touched the photo, the picture slipped from the locket as it opened releasing a tiny seed. Shirley went to recover it, but upon cupping it in her hand a small ray of light touched her head. Her thinking was disrupted for a moment as she muttered.

"So you are…Kyouka-Oh…"

"I wasn't expecting this." A new voice remarked as Shirley was shocked that someone had been watching her as she turned to see who it was. She saw two people, one of them was the matchmaker Milly had been meeting with a few days earlier Seto, but the other was someone Shirley didn't know or recognize yet her attire was unusual.

"Well it's not Milly, but she could still work out?" C.C commented as Seto gave the thought a moment of consideration.

"I suppose you are right…" Seto said as she eyed Shirley as the orange haired girl felt very uneasy.

Speaking of Milly the busty blonde had all but given up on searching Washu and Sasami's room as she found nothing at all that could be of use, but unknown to her she was being monitored by Washu inside her lab.

"Lucky I closed the way into my lab, but good luck finding a way in." Washu mused.

Meanwhile across the street at the college where the ASEEC had set up shop at Suzaku was standing behind Lloyd and Cecile as they were examining the footage of the Nineball Morrigan's attack on the Shikine Island Base last night. Cecil was freezing the video footage to examine the machine's method of attack when it was engaging the Sutherlands. Then they played some clips in slow motion during Nineball Morrigan's transformation from bird mode into normal mode.

"What a fascinating machine…I really do wonder how the Black Knights got their hands on it?" Lloyd replied as he examined different pictures of the video.

"But I don't see how it could have been possible?" Suzaku commented. "I mean considering their resources they shouldn't have been able to?"

"However Zero wields god-like abilities so we can't be sure anymore to what kind of resources they have." Lloyd replied.

In orbit however, the crew of the Kamidake II had their own thoughts regarding the new machine that had appeared last night especially given that its technology was a little more above and beyond what Earth is capable of. Combined with what happened at Ashford Academy the crew had a good feeling who Zero was or at least had narrowed down the list considerably.

"I given everything that has happened at the school and Seto's apparent interest…added with Neju seeing someone like him I think we can say that this Lelouch Lamperouge is Zero." Ryoko Balta said with absolutely certainty.

"Then we probably have our guy, but who do we make sure?" Kiriko inquired.

"I think we need to get a shot of Lelouch becoming Zero to have physical evidence of him being Zero." Seina pointed out.

Suddenly an incoming video transmission was beginning to come in.

"Hold on we got an incoming message…it's from the Mikagami." Neju reported as the face of Lady Seto came on screen.

"Good afternoon…I am sorry to interrupt like this, but I thought I should point out that I wish for Zero's identity to remain secret for a little while longer."

"Then that young man is Zero." Ryoko said confirming the obvious.

"He is, but I want that information not to go anywhere else." Seto gently insisted.

"Why?"

"Because, it is not the time yet for the rest of the galaxy to know who the man under the mask is."

Inside Villetta's apartment she had a guest over, it was Kewell and the man was in a state of guilt and depression over last night's events on Kanime Island. The female Britannian already had a good feeling what was the source of his depression. His younger sister was currently imprisoned for what happened last night although there was evidence to suggest they weren't involved, but due to the actions of the Knight of Ten and the missiles revealed has led to an uproar among both Britannians and Elevens.

Villetta didn't need to be a politician to know what was likely going to end up happening.

Regardless now the entire Valkyrie Squadron would be scapegoat to cover it up while the Knight of Ten would be cleared of responsibility for what happened. Standing outside on the balcony unknown to Kewell was Jeremiah who felt a sense of pity for his friend.

In the meantime however in another corner of the galaxy Tenchi Masaki was aboard the Jurai Battle Cruiser as they had cornered some pirates at what long range scans had identified as an old derelict observation station. Judging by its design it was an old one used by the former Royal Academy the predecessor to the Galaxy Academy so the age of the station was well over five thousand years old.

"Amazing something that old has managed to remain intact." Tenchi commented standing on the bridge of the ship.

"Sir…we have confirmed life signs, but we don't want to risk further scans and comprise our location." A Jurai Military officer noted.

"I understand, but I think I can move in and see what exactly is in there." Tenchi offered as he summoned three Lighthawk wings to form his armor, shield and sword before preparing to teleport. "I'll keep an open channel and I'll call you guys if things get a little hairy so we can cut off any attempts to escape."

"Yes sir."

With those words Tenchi teleported away arriving inside the old space station itself, but upon entry he found the interior of the station in almost pristine condition which was opposite of its exterior. The young Jurai prince cautiously moved through the halls while he remained watchful of any kind of cameras or security measures like heat sensors and such.

'Probably no one thought that anyone would be using this old place, especially this close to a black hole.'

Tenchi thought as he continued his exploration into the station, but in the heart of the station a certain angry mad genius was dealing with some of his incompetent help as Dr. Clay had left seven space pirates who had foolishly led Tenchi and his Jurai fleet to the station where he had been working out while trying to evade pursuit. It was fortunate however that Clay had finished his primary business at the old research station that had been used by Kagato in the research and manufacturing of artificial gems using the nearby black hole as part of a refined method of gem creation.

"You fools led them right to me, but you can at least be useful in distracting them while I escape."

Punching in a code on his desk, Clay took hold of a black briefcase just as he finished engaging the base's silent self-destruction while at the same time activating the base's defenses measures. Once he was done the scientist left leaving the seven men agonizing in pain as the experimental formula Clay had injected them with earlier after he reprimanded them for their foolishness.

Ultimately the formula after mutating their bodies would kill them, but it would enough to provide the perfect cover for his escape.

'I have everything now, but all that is left now is to bring everything together.'

Dr. Clay thought as an evil smile appeared on his face.

As the evil doctor was making his escape taking all of the gems the base had produced a video recording began to play.

"Welcome to my research and production facility for the artificial gems my new ships use Tenchi Masaki." Dr. Clay began as Tenchi stopped to watch one of the overhead monitors. "I would be impressed, but you found me by accident when the foolish space pirates in my employ led you here. However...I no longer have need for this base, but as a token of getting this far I have left some parting gifts for you along with some entertainment. I hope you'll enjoy them."

"Damn it…" Tenchi began, but suddenly a trio of stone-like snake creatures emerged from the walls firing beams of red energy at the young man. However Tenchi easily deflected some of the beams with his shield before moving to cleave the creatures in two deposing of them rather quickly. "CLAY!"

Meanwhile the base began shaking as more snakes began to converge on Tenchi to attack him, but soon the snakes and the shaking base were the least of his worries. The base's self-destruct was a powerful dimensional bomb that when detonated near the black hole would cause a serve dimensional tear that could have very dangerous consequences on the surrounding area.

Quickly escaping Tenchi fled the base teleporting outside as he tried to communicate with his ships, but he found that the communications lines were being jammed.

Uncertain of what to expect Tenchi decided to alert the forces under his command to the potent danger and order a retreat while he would deal with anything Clay might throw at him. Unfortunate the evil doctor's methods as missiles and energy turrets activated firing upon Tenchi, but that wasn't his only problem as the pirates who had led the young man to the old station had been transformed into half-tree like mutated humanoid creatures with the ability to use Lighthawk wings.

Although highly unstable they were much more powerful in exchange for a short life span and the loss of sanity. Tenchi was the one living creature within range so unfortunately for him he became the target of the insane creatures. Two of them summoned a Lighthawk wing as they attacked Tenchi in a berserker-raged induced frenzy.

Forced on the defensive Tenchi held the two crazed creatures off easily, but the others were soon converging on him. Unfortunately, seeing the battle the fleet began moving in closer to provide support fire for their commander. The Juraian prince cursed himself mentally, but quickly focused his efforts on the fight happening in front of him intent on finishing it as quickly as possible.

Two more began attacking Tenchi with their own Lighthawk wings while the others noticing the approaching ships moved to attack, although fortunately between Tenchi and the other mutants who were using Lighthawk wings the remaining creatures couldn't use any of their own to fight the ships. However they still had enough power and their abilities still made them more of a possible danger for the ships if their crew weren't careful.

Meanwhile the ships came under attack from the psychotic mutated pirates as they rained energy bolts upon the ships in random attack patterns, but their size and speed was making it very difficult for the Jurai ships to hit the creatures. The battle was growing as energy fire lit up the area, but no one except for Tenchi knew about the danger they were all in. He wanted to break away and warn the ships, but he was concerned that if he did then the other pirates he was fighting would be free to sink some of the ships.

Worse yet communications were still down, but unknown to the young man the ships had sent out a distress signal calling for reinforcements before moving to engage.

Surges of energy began to surround the entire station as the self-destruct was close to detonation, but a safe distance away Doctor Clay watched with an evil smirk on his face. His ship had made a clean getaway with its important cargo which was going to critical in the final stages of his plan. At this point it didn't matter too much if Tenchi was a problem or not…everything was already in motion.

"I doubt the self-destruct will kill you, but it will wipe out your subordinates and cause some considerable damage."

Confident of his victory the evil genius escaped, but as the situation seemed increasingly grim for the Jurai prince. The fight kept dragging on as Tenchi tried to end it quickly, but the insanity of his foes made them unpredictable and with the danger of the surrounding space around him he was concerned he if attempted to summon more Lighthawk wings he would only make the situation worse. After a sudden kick to the face by one of his foes the second insane warrior was posed to strike from behind until suddenly.

A black wing of energy impaled the psychotic warrior from behind piercing his heart before the blade moved upwards splitting the head in half.

'What?!'

Were the only thoughts that passed through Tenchi's mind as Zero arrived on the scene providing the Jurai Prince with much needed back up which might allow him to save the men under his command. The odds were more evened out between Zero and Tenchi as it was six against two so it was three apiece. Lelouch didn't waste a moment as he engaged one of the psychotic creatures with furious sword strikes before finding an opening and striking it down with a second sword.

Tenchi took advantage of the tide turning in his favor to fight with renewed vigor as he delivered a quick roundhouse kick to create an opening allowing Tenchi to stab another mutant in the stomach before ripping the blade out from the side almost cleaving the man in two. As Tenchi locked blades with another, Lelouch saw an opening and drove one of his swords into the exposed back of the mutant killing it. With Zero holding off the other two parrying their blows, Tenchi summoned an additional Lighthawk wings. Both to prevent the mutants from summoning additional wings and to give the black haired Japanese man additional blades to work with. Now it was two against two and given the declining mental states of their foes the situation was completely in Lelouch and Tenchi's favor. Using Shadow hawk and Light hawk wings the two god-like beings quickly over powered their foes, killing one another before finishing off the other.

With the mutants dead the duo had another problem, which was the dimensional bomb was about to detonating so thinking of the same idea as Tenchi the two powerful beings extended their respective wings in an effort to contain the horrific explosion, but unknown to the two a third power, Sasami shifting into Tsunami, was also acting with them to contain the detonation. A kind of bubble barrier composed of the two powers supported by a third were trying to contain the destructive explosion while it completely consumed the space station, but Lelouch and Tenchi were struggling to keep it contained.

As their bubble containment field held Tsunami was working to repair the dimensional tear the bomb had created. It took several minutes, but the bubble vanished as the danger was averted and the only thing destroyed was the space station while the rest of the destruction that would have been caused was safely contained until Tsunami was able to repair the dimensional rip.

"Thank you," Tenchi began but Zero was gone.

A safe distance away hiding in subspace was Tsunami-fume just as Lelouch reappeared onboard the ship greeting his wife to be who embraced him tenderly without a second thought. Sasami admitted she was worried about Lelouch helping Tenchi directly like that, but given the situation he was facing and the mutants an intervention was called for.

"I don't think he'll follow us, after all Jurai wasn't able to track my power usage very well."

"Yes," Sasami began before asking. "You don't suppose Tenchi might recognize your fighting style?"

"I don't think he had ample time to observe my movements."

"I wouldn't say that Lelouch," A third voice said as Sasami and Lelouch froze before the two slowly turned around while Ryo-Ohki shifting into her child form hurried to Tenchi. The child-form cabbit hugged Tenchi who knelt down and returned the affection. Lelouch was struck dumb as he didn't think that Tenchi was able to follow him, but having casting Sasami an amused smile he knew it wasn't him he was tracking…he noticed Sasami or rather Tsunami was behind the closure of the rip so he followed her instead.

"Tenchi," Lelouch and Sasami said together as the two were clearly surprised by the man's presence aboard. A moment of silence passed while Tenchi was still smiling amused by the look of surprise on their faces.

"So how have you been doing Lelouch," Tenchi began while the smile on his face remained.

While Lelouch and Sasami were beginning a discussion with Tenchi, back on Earth, the Black Knights under Kento moved into their positions.

It was a straight forward standard battle plan. The size though was completely new on the other hand. For the first time since the Invasion ended, the Japanese were deploying a full company size force, in fact it was reinforced that it was almost TWO companies of Black Knights. Not even the JLF had this much military might left to them.

"Okay everyone cut cables and move to assign positions, you all know what you need to do," Kento gulped mentally, he was in command, but the battle plan was simple and little could go wrong, "Just remember your objectives and we'll be gone before they can react, just watch out, that's the theory anyways."

Chuckles filled the comms before one by one; the Black Knights severed their communication cables.

The Burais moved into position at the front of their artillery sections. These sections mounted cannons on modified Knightpolice Frames that gained the name Knightcannons. There were also some captured Sutherlands, not many, but there didn't need to be either. These captured units had been fitted with missile launchers, grenade launchers, and rockets.

The units that would lead the attack though made sure to stay out of the fire lanes of the supporting sections just in case of weapon malfunctions. There was still plenty of that with these modified units. In fact, the Knightcannons had to be re-quipped with one lighter weapon mount, since the recoils still knocked them over if mounted with twin or heavier weapons.

The Sutherland was proving a tricky unit to convert to tube artillery. Though that was an intelligence boon for the Black Knights. It meant that the Empire was moving from general combat to lighting fast shock and awe combat. There with a continuous basis of close combat, everyone was beginning to wonder about that.

Once the last unit had parked and stood ready, Kento took a deep breath, remembering the base's outline. It was a rather open affair beyond a wall three times the height of a stock Burai. Three semi-buried concrete armored reinforced hanger bunkers with underground connecting passageways sat on the south side. A tank park was to the north along with other AFVs and IFVs as well as facilities for them. East side held the base hospital and barracks as well as the PX, parade grounds, admin buildings, and various other support facilities for the garrison. The western part held only the parking and receiving area of the base and was wide open. The command facilities were set in a citadel like structure in the center of the base that included additional hangers, mostly for VTOL craft, though the base had no airfield, but the main armory was also there as well. Releasing his breath, he felt better before issuing his command with his Burai Command Model's hand.

To the Britannians manning the base that had been targeted, it was sudden. The missiles had been loosed first, homing in on defense structures. The Passive Defense Systems that were supposed to automatically engage the Active Defense Systems didn't register the inbound ordnance until after they had crossed the Red Line and began smashing into various defense and command structures. It was of course too late for a number of personnel such as various guards out on patrol, tower operators, some late night transit of equipment and the personnel supervising, and the personnel assigned to operate various manually control weapon stations.

A number of tanks sat in a box square were also hit and destroyed or critically damaged beyond immediate function.

A missile struck a raised spire, either functional or ornamental would be a long debate, but nonetheless the structure collapsed, crushing a truck carrying battery packs that was late in its arrival. The two men in the cab survived the structure's collapse, but the resulting explosion incinerated them both.

Several patrolling Sutherlands rushed towards the direction of the missile barrage only to run head long into a volley of shells, grenades, and rockets. None of the Sutherlands survived, but two pilots had managed to punch out at the last second and rocketed to safety while a third found herself waking up after the battle was over at another base's hospital.

The Burais then charged the defenders as multiple direct hits destroyed several gates allowing the Black Knights to quickly flood unopposed into the base. Several turrets, all point defense manned turrets, survived the initial volleys and quickly turned on the incoming freedom fighters. Joining the turrets were several VTOL Gunships that got airborne, but the Black Knights had been ready for that just in case and one was shot down over its helipad by a missile while another took a glancing blow from a rocket that spun it into some damaged tanks. A third gunship began charging the Black Knights, but a sniper shot tore its tail to pieces and it crashed nose first into the open land around the base, digging a fallow as it went.

The turrets had better luck and were able to defeat three Burais before artillery fire destroyed them.

The Black Knights charged the hangers, arriving; they either threw in high explosives or forcibly entered to seize the equipment inside. The hangers being bombed had the Emergency Ready Defense Unit's equipment inside and those were quickly blasted to rubble. The other hangers held mostly KMFs under maintenance as well as some vehicles and VTOLs. Those were seized for both the equipment for maintenance for KMFs, but also for other supplies and intact, though disassembled KMFs as well as vehicles and the VTOLs.

With the base defenses destroyed and the gates and walls breached, the Britannians were in a panic. Their command and control had taken a blow early on when the command staff were hit exiting the base's citadel like command building for a night on the nearby town. The infantry tried to mobilize, but a number of Burais outfitted for anti-infantry work quickly captured all those who had tried and seized their secondary armory. The bunker like hangers began to deploy their Knightmares, but Burais rushed up to the first and hurled explosives into it, destroying it as guided missile fire took out the second, but fire from the third began to pin down some Burais though snipers on the first also opened up destroying two Sutherlands and forcing the rest into cover.

Then a stream of fire came from an entrance in the citadel, but a volley of rockets rushed through and destroyed it as missiles destroyed the third bunker hanger. Surviving Sutherlands tried a desperate defense, but the Burais were speeding through, using brass knuckle like melee weapons to knock Sutherlands off their feet as others armed with clubs rushed in to clobber those missed.

Then, just as quickly as it started, it ended with a Britannian surrender and a major victory for the Black Knights.

A short time later the two men were inside the hot springs section of the ship, Tenchi and Lelouch with towels wrapped around their rest were enjoying a little privacy while taking this as a moment for the two to have a man to man chat in regards to both recent events, catching up and Lelouch's love life as Tenchi was briefed by Lelouch on the current status of affairs for him as Seto, which did not surprise Tenchi that much, was setting Lelouch up to marry Sasami, Monica, Kallen and Minaho. Of course there was no telling if Lelouch would be expected to marry anyone else at this point especially if Seto is involved.

"Oh boy I guess besides fighting Britannia you have been a crazy couple of months and then things got a little wild after you woke your own powers huh," Tenchi said as Lelouch finished brining him up to speed following after that Tenchi told Lelouch everything that had been going on for him and the others back on Jurai.

"You are telling me, between fighting Britannia as Zero and Clay's creations I have been handling damage control at Ashford Academy."

"I hope Washu isn't giving you too much trouble," Tenchi asked feeling a little nervous.

"I think no more than the usual from what I understand; after all you experienced what I had experienced right?"

"Wait, don't tell me she did the…nurse bit with you," Tenchi asked with a bit of reasonable hesitation and a hint of embarrassment on his face.

Lelouch nodded in response.

"Did Mihoshi find you two?"

"Nope, Sasami did and from what I heard she didn't approve of what Washu was doing one bit."

"I see," Tenchi said deciding against asking further as he already had a strong suspicion of how things had likely turned out.

"So if you don't mind me asking…how do you do it?"

"Excuse me?"

"How are you…well," Lelouch asked feeling partly uncomfortable about the subject, but wasn't sure how to ask it. He knew it was question that had to be asked. But most of all he didn't want to be misunderstood either.

"How am I able to have a successful relationship with more than one woman?"

"Well," Lelouch said feeling a little more uncomfortable.

"Hey I understand where you are coming from Lelouch and I'll admit it wasn't easy. For the longest time I'll admit I didn't hold much in terms of romantic feelings for them. I cared for them however as members of my own family and I did prefer it that way for a time."

"But you are married now, so what changed?"

"I suppose two things changed," Tenchi began before adding. "I got older and I did begin thinking about the rest of my life. This was clearer to me when we all moved to Jurai and Sasami was no longer the same, but you know the story behind that already."

Lelouch nodded allowing Tenchi to continue.

"Now that I was more than less an official member of the Jurai Royal Court the question was put before me who I would marry and of course Seto did have some possibilities for me to consider."

"I can only imagine," Lelouch replied with a chuckle while Tenchi had a brief laugh too. The Britannian Prince didn't doubt in the least that Seto was likely trying to nudge Tenchi a little and was likely presenting him with other women besides Noike who was his official fiancé at the time.

I wouldn't doubt Seto enjoyed seeing Ayeka and Ryoko seethe with jealousy over that one and unable to do anything about it.

Lelouch thought with a smirk on his face suspecting he was correct on that one.

"But as things changed I honesty couldn't chose one over the other. I loved Sasami like a sister, but Ayeka, Mihoshi, Ryoko and Noike I really do love all of them."

"So it's something you just know then?"

"Yeah it's complicated and hard to explain, but you just know it."

"I see," Lelouch said in quiet reflection before Tenchi added.

"Although I do strongly recommend that you don't marry all of the women you love at once. Senia's wedding was one good example of it, but the honeymoon is probably the one to watch out."

"Huh," Lelouch said seemingly confused at first before realizing what Tenchi was really getting at. "Oh I see…the…well…the time to consummate the marriage?"

Tenchi nodded before saying.

"Yeah I think you can imagine what happened? Needless to say we were all banned from the planet we took our honeymoon on," Tenchi said laughing nervously.

"I can only imagine what happened," Lelouch said in agreement suspecting that Ryoko and Ayeka might have really fought one another fiercely over that one while he wasn't sure what Noike might have done, but mix in Mihoshi's usual brand of luck then you got a recipe for total destruction. Of course it could happened completely different from what Lelouch suspects, so it's all pure speculation on his part until Tenchi gives him the whole story.

Maybe it wasn't so bad that Sasami and I did it now,' the thought of what if felt like suddenly stuck and he had to fight to maintain composure, '…possible disaster prevention.'

Lelouch thought, but while he didn't think things for his wedding night wouldn't be crazy it was probably safer to not take chances.

"I should probably get back and I'll keep quiet about your identity, but you haven't been doing a good job hiding it?"

"So I have noticed, but yet Suzaku doesn't seem to suspect anything."

"Maybe he does, but he just doesn't want to admit it you are Zero."

"I see," Lelouch said he and Tenchi, after changing back into normal attire, walked to find Sasami so that the Juraian Prince could bid farewell to her before leaving. When the two finally did find Sasami she was with someone else who had arrived and that was Monica.

"Lelouch," Sasami said as both women took notice of the two men.

"I take it your mission was successful Monica," Lelouch said as he approached his Knight of Zero.

"Yes sir…I was successful in testing out the Morrigan."

"The Morrigan," Tenchi said curious about the machine.

"Oh Monica this is Tenchi Masaki Jurai, he is the Second Crown Prince of Jurai."

"Greetings your highness," Monica quickly greeted respectfully with a bow.

"Hey no need to be overly formal," Tenchi said with a smile.

"Anyway the Nineball Morrigan is new Knightmare Frame built by Washu."

"Washu…oh boy," Tenchi said already knowing the machine was likely pure overkill. "Anyway sorry to run off like this, but I should get back. You guys take care alright and it was nice meeting you Monica…sorry if I must leave suddenly."

"It's ok," Monica replied while Tenchi shook his friend's hand.

"You take care as well Tenchi."

"You too…"

Meanwhile elsewhere in the galaxy, but close to Earth was the Mikagami, which currently aboard and standing inside a small outdoor patio was Shirley who held the expression of someone who just told her certain truths that have left her reasonably shaken among other things. A part of her didn't want to believe it, but faced with overwhelming evidence on the matter she had to accept it. Now a choice was put before her and she had been given a lot of time to think about it.

But now her time was up as Seto approached from behind.

"So Miss Fenette what will your choice be?"

At that moment in a hidden location Dr. Clay was also at work as he was speaking with his trusted right hand man over a long distance communication channel. The evil scientist had a cruel grin on his face because that despite his most recent setback caused by Tenchi finding his production and research facility it no longer mattered since he had produced more than enough artificial power gems for his plans.

"My ascension will soon be at hand…ready our forces and check in with our contact on Jurai to see how soon he can initiate our plans there."

"Understood," Tarrant replied with a wolfish grin.

A/N: a short chapter for the first time in a while thanks to Tomkat for beta working it and cleaning it up so hopefully I can produce the next chapter faster than this one.

Thanks in advance for the reviews…