A/N: So a few side notes before we begin. It's SuzuLulu, unsurprisingly enough. It takes place in Britannia. They meet when they're eight. Um, not to confuse anyone, but this story will probably jump between the past and the present but not too much. Just in this particular chapter. Only, like, once.

Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass in any way, shape or form.

The sounds were drawing closer. Pounding footsteps. Angry, incredulous voices. The crackle of fire. The sounds were loud and fearsome and saddening. Such a terrible warning of terrible things to come.

Inside the small cottage, a brown-haired boy was shaking his head disbelievingly. In his arms, a frightened raven-haired boy cried softly.

"Their getting closer, Suzaku," the boy whispered, his violet eyes glistening.

The arms tightened around him. "I know but everything will be fine, Lelouch. You'll be okay. I won't let them hurt you."

Lelouch gasped at what Suzaku was implying. "Suzaku…"

Suzaku pressed a kiss to his forehead as his emerald eyes gazed down gently at his lover. Lelouch's tears fell harder.

"O-our own countries," he choked out. "Our own countries betrayed us. Our family. Our friends. All of them loved us and all of them turned their backs on us."

"But we didn't turn our backs on each other. In the end, that is what's important. In the end, that is what has kept us alive for this long."

The footsteps were so close now, right at the door of the cottage. There was a moment before the door opened. A moment of pure silence. The sound, or lack-thereof, was peaceful and eerily foreboding. In this moment, nothing could touch them. Not pain, not mistrust, not anger. Just love and the silence it brings.

Ten years before

Suzaku Kururugi had already determined that he liked Britannia very much. Unlike his own homeland of Japan, Britannia was not ridden with war. It was peaceful and unaffected, surprising for a world super power. Japan -- and many of its fellow Asian nations -- was currently at war with the European Coalition. All throughout the world, there were disputes about trade and territory. Countries were constantly disputing. Arguments over who owned what and who had rights to what. People were banning together to fight and defend their country and its territories. The entire world was at war.

Except for Britannia.

No one country was strong enough to go up against the nation and no one dared to make a declaration of war. This fact was not surprising. Britannia controlled an entire one-third of the world, leaving the rest of the world to try to claim what land they could. This is where things got complicated. Because so much of the world was controlled or influenced by the large country, it was hard to say who technically owned what. The real issue wasn't with the other countries. It was with Britannia.

Because the country of Japan was in such political turmoil, many of its nobilities were not safe. It was not unheard of to kill off a country's royalty, just as it was no longer shocking to take hostages.

Emperor Genbu Kururugi realized this. At the time, Kaguya Sumeragi had been living with the emperor and his son, seeing as how the Kururugi Shrine was safest place in all of Japan. Genbu had been smart enough to stay on good terms with Britannia in case he ever required their assistance. He did not want the country's military support. Though the two countries were amiable, Genbu Kururugi wanted as little to do with them as possible. However, he was willing to make an exception when it came to the safety and well-being of his son and niece.

It is because of this that Suzaku Kururugi and Kaguya Sumeragi currently found themselves in the Aries Imperial Villa. As they walked up the front steps of the beautiful palace, Kaguya gripped her cousin's hand tightly.

"Suzaku," she whispered softly. "I don't want to be here. I want to go back home to Japan."

Suzaku tried to smile as brightly as possible. "I know, Kaguya, but before you know it, we will be back home with our family. And who knows, maybe you'll like it here."

An expressionless maid led them swiftly into the palace and into a small sitting room. "Lady Marianne will greet you shortly. Please sit while you wait." The maid left.

The Japanese nobilities seated themselves on a small couch, hands still clasped. Suzaku turned to look into his cousin's frightened dark green eyes.

"Listen, Kaguya. We have to be good while we're here or else they'll be mean to us and we won't get to go home. If we treat them nicely, they'll treat us nicely."

Kaguya nodded, eyes wide in understanding. "Okay, Suzaku. I'll be very good if it means we get to go home."

It was at that moment that the door opened and Lady Marianne finally entered the room.

As the Empress bustled into the room, three children shuffled in behind her. One was a little girl with light brown hair and soft lilac eyes. The second was a boy with features identical to those of the girl. Lastly, there was a boy with midnight black hair and dark purple eyes.

Marianne smiled at the Japanese children in a motherly fashion. "Well, you must be Suzaku Kururugi and Kaguya Sumeragi. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Suzaku stood and gently pulled Kaguya up with him. "It's nice to meet you as well. Thank you for allowing us to stay here."

"It is my pleasure. I am Empress Marianne and these are my children, Nunnally, Rolo, and Lelouch."

"It's lovely to meet you," Nunnally said sweetly. Beside her, Rolo softly mumbled, "Hello". Lelouch, however, didn't say anything.

The Empress cleared her throat. "Lelouch, darling," she chided lightly, "Don't be rude towards our guests."

Lelouch discreetly rolled his eyes and put on his best fake smile. "Hello. Welcome to our home. I do hope we become good friends."

His expression, however, contradicted this statement. His features, instead, said, "No, I do not hope we become good friends. On the contrary, I hope we never have to speak to one another again. I do not want you here. Please, leave as quickly as possible."

Suzaku noticed this but did not comment on it. He smiled as cheerily as possible and said, "I hope we become good friends, too."

Marianne smiled at them gently. "I will have one of the maids show you around the palace and help you get settled in. I want you two to feel as comfortable as possible, so please feel free to ask for anything you may need or want. Hopefully, in time, you shall think of this as your home."

It didn't take long for them to get settled in. Originally, Suzaku was worried about them trying to separate him from Kaguya, but thankfully their rooms were right next door. Directly across from Suzaku's bedroom was Lelouch's; next to his and across from Kaguya's room was Nunnally's; next to hers was Rolo's.

Suzaku was lying on his bed, trying to relax. Britannia was much nicer than Japan right now, but it would be a lie to say he didn't miss his home. He wondered how his father was doing. Was he in any danger? What about the rest of his family? Were uncles and aunts and cousins in harm's way? His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden scream.

Suzaku ran into the hallway to find Kaguya down on the ground and tall blond boy looming over her.

"Filthy Japanese," the boy spat. He finally noticed Suzaku. "Who are you?"

"S-suzaku K-kururugi, sir," Suzaku tried to keep the fear out of his voice. His eyes gazed down to Kaguya. There was a bright red mark on her face.

The tall blond man bowed, "I am Schneizel El Britannia." He stood up straight and proceeded to smack Suzaku across the face.

"Welcome to Britannia."

A/N: The first chapter is finished! Yayz! I feel kinda bad about starting a new story when I haved updated my crossover or my collection of oneshots in forever. Its not like anyone was waiting for it, right?

Um, I have another idea for another story called Distractions. It's a GinoSuzaLulu love triangle. I've started writing the first chapter but I don't know if I should continue. What do you guys think? Would you like read that? Let me know.

Please review!!!!