Hey, a new code geass story. This is one of those "sample the initial reaction and continue if positive" ones, so please, review after read. For info, this is about Suzaku and Lelouch in an alternative universe if Lelouch was never abandoned in Japan, and if his mother was never killed. Also, it has Suzaku in the place as the leader to the rebels against Britannian and the Sakuradite conflict happens much later, when both are 17. That's basically what its about, but this first chapter is before the conflict, and how they met, supplimenting their friendship before realizing that they are opposing sides... Yup. Enjoy. (Also, each line skip means that a few years or months has gone on, representing the time they spent between each visit... Just so you know.)
Young Suzaku smiled as he walked through the long hallways in his family manor, the large house a buzz with countless others walking back and forth. Genbu Kururugi rushed through as well, pushing past the other men.
"Father," shouted the young man, his Prime Minister father stopping and turning around to face the boy. "Wait up!" A smile widened across his face, the tall man lowering himself to the boy's level.
"Suzaku, what wrong? You know I'm very busy, son."
'I haven't seen you all day. I just wanted to know what you were doing." He smiled as the adult tossed his hair back and forth, the long brown strands covering both eyes. "I've been lonely and bored, all day." He added emphasis on bored, rolling his eyes back. Genbu laughed at this, lifting himself back up.
"You know I've been busy, Suzaku. It's my responsibility to look over the entire country. I'm sorry I haven't had much time for both of us lately; I don't really know when I'll ever have time, too."
"Father…"
"I'm sorry, Suzaku. We just have so much going on in the world, there's little time for anything anymore."
"I understand, Father. I'll find some way to occupy my time." He closed his eyes and smiled, turning to leave.
"Oh, Suzaku, before you go!" Catching his attention, the boy turned around, only a few feet of distance between them. The hallway was well lit, giant windows surrounding the entire area. The thin white curtains swayed gently in the facile breeze, but the setting sun gave them an orange hue, the bright light and dark silhouettes dancing up and down the small area. The boy squinted to look at his father, the dark suit he wore hiding him in the shrouded spots. His face was kind and wise, while the young boy's was the opposite: young, naïve and ambitious, but he exuded a subtle intelligence and warmth. Everyone felt a kind aura exuding from him, as basking light. Genbu smiled at him with a beaming face; he was incredibly proud of the boy. "I have a few others coming over, with children your age. Kaguya, your cousin, is also coming over. I want you to look after them and show them around, please. You can all play while the adults attend to business."
"Okay, Father."
"Thank you. Now run along. I'll have them meet you in a bit." The young boy bowed and moved off, going towards the quiet end of the large estate. Opening a small wooden door, he moved out into one of the large surrounding gardens, the swaying trees clustering large shadows around him. He sat down on a large stone bench, listening to the water rushing through the area. A few waterfalls babbled at him, but the sound was interrupted by the boisterous noise of large cars pulling up to the façade of the house. Doors opened and shut, followed by a large amount of foot clopping. People moved in and out, Suzaku pulling himself up on the wall to peer over at everything that was happening.
The Britannian Royal Family had arrived in Japan only hours ago, their large line of convoys pulling up to the Prime Minister's estate. Behind it, many other small vehicles were parked, other figureheads and important persons getting out of their cars, joining the main dignitaries in the meeting hall. He watched in awe as they all moved in uneven lines into the building, Genbu out front greeting each one personally.
"Charles, it's pleasant to see you and your family once again." He grasped the firm grip of the large man, his wife and child along with their attendants behind him. Both wore smiles, as if they were long time friends. "How long has it been?" People had concentrated their vision on this meeting, surprised by the conversation caught between both.
"If I'm not mistaken, almost fourteen years. At least, that was when you had last visited my own country."
"Indeed it was. And who are these lovely people?" He looked past him, staring at his wife, the orange dress flowing down to the floor. Clinging to her feet was a small boy, his jet black hair almost the same length of Suzaku's. Genbu smiled at the boy, his intelligent glare shooting back up at him. Still, he held his ground.
"This is Marianne vi Britannia, the 98th Empress of the empire. The shy one behind her is Lelouch, my son and the 17th holder to the throne. I doubt they've had the pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"It's an honor," said Lady Marianne, curtsying and raising out a hand. Genbu kissed it and then bowed in his own tradition. The Empress pushed up the young boy, whispering something in his ear to him. Lelouch started to talk, his low voice barely above a mumble. Even further behind was a lime-haired girl who chuckled at this, her status as an envoy of the emperor barely important. Just as suddenly as she had made herself visible, she vanished back into the background that surrounded the royalty.
"Speak up, Boy," said Charles, his gruff voice louder than usual. "It's hardly the impression you want to make."
"How do you do, sir?" Still, he was quieter than any of them would have like. Genbu tilted his head, trying his hardest to hear the boy.
"That's fine, Lelouch. You may go on in," said Marianne, her smile calming the nervous boy. Awkwardly, he scampered off, running into the main foyer of the estate. "You need to be gentler with young Lulu." That was a pet name he often found himself despising, even if it was comforting. "He's not as boisterous as you would like, but that doesn't put him in any odd with you, Charles. In fact, I believe you and him are the most similar of your children."
"And why is that? Why should I purport any more interest and attention to him, rather than my others?"
"He has the same calculating and expanding mind that you once had, yet without the many years that you've spent. To me, he's almost a mirror image."
"But he only displays that side to you. You coddle the boy too much, Marianne. He needs to learn to grow a spine, not to hide beneath your skirt with every notion."
"He is just a boy, Charles. Nothing more, now."
"Excuse me," interrupted Genbu. "If you both could continue this in the grand hall. I don't want to spend too much time greeting the guests."
"Ah, yes. I apologize for the disturbance, Genbu."
"As do I," said the woman, her bowing once again. "Let us take our leave." They both marched off; their regal air was more obtrusive than the other guests, yet Lady Marianne held a simple, civil charm that was often found with the honest working-class folk. He smiled at this, but turned back to his others. Suzaku was intrigued by the young boy who had accompanied them, and jumped down back to the ground of the garden, landing roughly on his knees.
"Suzaku!" The voice came from a young soldier, him rushing over to help the boy up to his feet. "Suzaku, are you all right?" It was Kyoshiro Tohdoh, a young soldier tasked with watching over the large estate along with teaching the young boy the art of Kendo, a task Suzaku was easily warming up to. At almost every turn, Tohdoh watched the boy grow up, his skills advancing as he matured in both age and mind.
"Yes, I am. It was just a little larger than I expected." Both pant legs were dirtied, large dirt smudges up and down both sides.
"I would rather hope that you wouldn't try something so reckless; it's my responsibility to look out for you and your father would have me strung up if anything were to happen." The sword at his hip clanged back and forth, the ancient katana always intriguing to Suzaku.
"I'm sorry, Kyoshiro. But, it's nothing to get worked up over. It was just a simple fall, not me diving off a cliff."
"That's not the point."
"Not listening. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must attend to the guests that my father has tasked me with watching." Holding his chest up, he walked forward, putting on airs. "I believe that they are waiting for me as we speak."
"Is that so, Suzaku?"
"Yes, it is. Now, let us go."
"You wouldn't care to change your pants before making such a grand appearance? I doubt your guests would appreciate such attire." He tried his best to humor the young boy with a similar attitude. Although young, Tohdoh often enjoyed the time he spent with Suzaku.
"No. It will be fine. I doubt that any of them will give much though on the matter."
"If you insist…" Both ran off, leading down a few hallways towards the grand hall in the middle of the large manor. Upon their arrival, they watched as his father started speaking to all of them. He was too young to understand the entirety of why they had all gathered, but it would simply be the start of something large. Finding none of the kids in the same room, Suzaku and Tohdoh both crept out of the area, moving to the hallway that held the small area reserved for the guest's children.
Lelouch stood in a corner, away from the others. Some were Britannian, like himself, but he would stay far from any, as he often didn't enjoy the company of many others. Only Nunnally, his sister, kept him company, and she was younger than him. Two girls stared at him across the way. One was short and had black hair darker than his; the other was a red head, her hair sprouting off in wild directions. The black haired girl was very young while the red head was his age. Other than those two, everyone else was off in their own world, the interspersed chatting brief and light between them all. Not an adult was in the room, but a few servants of the families waited outside, some drawing long breaths inwards between puffs of cigarette smoke. The acrid fog filled the area, coughing erupting from a few others. One was the green-haired girl, who Marianne had personally asked to watch over Lelouch. She stood away from the others, looking out the window with an idle thought. Much wore heavily on her mind, but it was hardly the time to delve into her own personal life. A young boy and soldier walk on past her, barely giving her any reason to look away from the scenic landscaping the trailed on out the beautiful window. She just let herself fall back into her trance.
"Can I help you," said the young retainer to the throne, speaking directly at the brash red-head who couldn't pry her eyes away from them. At first, she didn't answer, almost sizing the boy up. "Hello?"
"No, you cannot." He noticed distinct features in the girl. Some were specifically Japanese, yet her face held certain lines that only Britannian's did. The concept of mixed blood was lost on all of them, so he hardly understood where she was from. Behind her, someone giggled. It came from the other who was watching him, the Japanese girl with black hair.
"Then what say you," he asked, turning the question.
"Nothing. But, is it true that you are the prince of Britannia?" Her eyes gave away the fact that she was a very eager, rambunctious girl. Smiling, she revealed a toothy grin, the crooked bones swaying in every uneven direction. Some were just coming in, her age apparently the biggest influence.
"Yes," he said with a hushed tone. "Why?"
"Just wonderin'…" He left the conversation die with that, turning back to his own business. However, neither girl wanted to let him walk away with just a simple "yes". But, attention was turned off of him as Suzaku walked into the room, even averting Lelouch's eyes. He looked at him with a gaze of instant contempt. The boy wasn't reciprocated with the expectation, though. Thinking he was the life of the party, he had assumed that everyone would have encircled him, prattling on about nothing as he stood in place with a smile. Oh, how he was wrong. It was only the three that seemed to notice his presence at all. Tohdoh gave him a gentle nudge and left the room, joining the others that gathered outside. That was the first time that both met, but certainly not the last time that they would. And both Kallen Kouzuki and Kaguya Sumeragi would continue meeting with Suzaku Kururugi after that day, if only to fasten their growing friendships. Months and years pasted them by, Suzaku nearly the age of fifteen before he would see Lelouch again.
A small shrine sat at the northern outskirts of Tokyo, shrouded by the massive Mount Fuji. It hid in the natural side of the mountain, building up and down the steps that collectively led up to the small area that sat hundreds of feet above sea level. It was snowing, the white powder collecting heavily on the wooden pagodas and entrance torii. The vermillion painted wood was chipped away, years of time having worn it down. Only a few were at the shrine, both Tohdoh and Suzaku sparing in the central courtyard. Both wore the traditional sparring gear, smiling as they wielded specifically designed shinais. Suzaku's breath could be seen through the protective headgear, the thick breath clinging to the metal grid that shielded over his entire face.
"Is the snow scaring you off already? Do you feel like repeating last time, Suzaku?"
"No, Kyoshiro-sensei. I won't be having any distractions today, not here."
"Fine excuse. Now, ready your blade. I want to see how many openings I can strike for. Be quick about it, too." Suzaku rose the blade up to meet his teacher's, him holding it with incredible confidence. Behind him, a figure wearing a long black cloak walked up and sat himself down on a stone bench, watching the duel with intrigue. "With your move, we begin."
"…" He closed his eyes and cleared his mind, the world turning still. "Now!" Stepping forward, he swung out, but Tohdoh easily moved around it and slapped the dull blade down upon his hand. With a yelp, Suzaku dropped the blade and backed up.
"That must have been a new record for losing. You performed better when you were tired three nights ago. If the cold really is affecting you…"
"No, we go again," and he picked up the shinai. With a flick of the wrist, he twirled it and readied it into position once again.
"On your mark." Nodding, he closed his eyes again. Behind him, the cloaked figure started noisily sipping on some small drink, smiling coyly as the young student cringed slightly. His tutelage laughed at this, lowering his guard for a split second. Taking the initiative, Suzaku lunged out at his teacher, swinging the wooden sword downward, fast. Tohdoh parried sideways and pushed the boy back, making a quick, graceful swing of his own. Easily blocked, the student countered with another slash to the top, this time pushing away the defensive stance that his sensei held, leaving him wide open; although, Tohdoh wouldn't admit his own folly so easily. Breaking his stance, he dropped low, the swing coming up short. In a second, he kicked his leg out and tripped Suzaku, crashing the armored boy to the ground with a calamitous thunderclap.
"I call foul," he groaned, removing the sweaty mask. Snow started to lightly pat his hair, the brown coloring slowly lightening up. On hand reached out to help him up and he took it; the other brushed the excess snow from his shoulders and head, his bare hand growing cold and numb. He wriggled it back and forth, letting the blood flow back in. "You're teaching me how to properly learn Kendo, correct? I doubt a contestant against me would appreciate it if I decided to forgo the weapon and beat him senseless."
"True, but it was an exercise in your defense and guard. Had you been alert, you would have been able to see through my agility and knock me down before I tripped you."
"Heh," snickered the figure behind, causing Suzaku to pivot, his face fraught with anger. The frail looking boy, his dark hair unaltered by the snow, watched with a skeptic grin on his face, the small empty cup sitting beside him.
"And you," started the losing Japanese. Still clad in the armor, he walked up to the boy, physically shaking with anger. "Had you not been purposely bothering our bout, I doubt such things would have happened."
"If anything," replied the calm voice. "You would have lost faster, as your opponent is clearly more skilled. In fact, it's so blatantly obvious, it's as if your foolhardy demeanor has something to prove, rather than the fact that you just have a heart for reckless abandon. For the spectator, it's quite a show, your failure, that is." Suzaku squinted at him, searching his mind for the matching appearance he knew. And then it clicked.
"You're the Britannian Emperor's son, are you not?"
"Wow, I'm surprised that you happened to remember me. If anything, we met for a brief hour or two, both of which were far from noteworthy. How pleasant."
"Suzaku," shouted Tohdoh, picking up the shinai off the ground. "Are we finished for the day?"
"Yes, Kyoshiro. Thank you for the practice; I'll bother you about it some other time." He took up the empty seat next to the boy. He sat down and started to look upon him with interest, but the boy was an enigma. "So, what brings your family away from such a pristine nation, and to ours?"
"From the way you spoke, you would think that we held a certain animosity towards your own nation. Ha, I find that… interesting, but far from the truth. We have not an alliance, correct?"
"Indeed we do, but for your gain, not ours. However, now is hardly the time for such ill politics. I doubt you came to prattle on about the current course of both our countries relationships."
"Astute." He stood up, grabbing the small cup from the ground. "No, I am here to get away from both my brother and father, who seem enthralled with the business relationships they seem to be getting from this alliance. I have little care for my own nation, or for any for that matter."
"So, you came to catch your breath, so to speak?"
"I guess you could say that. But, I was also hoping I could ask you to show me about the town. At least, anything to cleanse my palette of my brother; he's been on my nerves, if you would."
"Easily. But, I would ask that you not mind the company of two others, as I had plans with friends of mine, as well."
"Not at all." He smiled at the boy, an honest smile. They both started down the stone steps, passing the stone shires that were littered about the place. A small car was waiting for them at the foot of the steps, a luxury sedan build for Suzaku and his attendants. Opening the door, Lelouch stepped in and sat down in the back, the roomy seats allowing quite a bit of space between both. Instantly, the car took off, both barely acquainted to their new seating.
"So, what true business is your family here for? Were I to put bets on it, I would have to say it involves the Sakuradite and all that business."
"Yes, easily. If I'm not mistaken, my father wished to control a larger supply of it, for some new purpose that he has. He's quite intent on accumulating a large sum of it."
"But for what?"
"I really don't know. It's been a recent fixation, one that came on without much warning. I was surprised at the visit, too."
"Hmm…"
"I wish I knew more, but my brother seems to be intent on driving his own interests into this. He is closer to the throne than I and you can see a certain lust in his eyes."
"What's your brother's name?"
"Schneizel el Britannia. He comes from the same father, but a different mother. We both are around the same age, although he has a few years on me. He's cunning, but a despot of sorts. I hate him."
"And what merits yourself…"
"You can call me Lelouch."
"Lelouch, what do you believe merits you?"
"I really couldn't say. I'm a tactician, but rather in spirit than in application. I haven't thought much on it. Too much time spent bothering myself with the rivalry between Schneizel and myself."
"You would really waste all that time on such matters?"
"It can't be helped." The car kept driving, pulling into the major city limits. Buildings cropped up in the horizon, some blotting out the sun. Below, they seemed to drive through the small caverns of dilapidated buildings, the crumbling structures showing off older architecture from a time bygone. For the rest of the evening, they spent in the company of three others, two of which were brother and sister. The entire time, they stared at the young prince, their eyes shooting deadly threats towards him. He turned away and watched the city rise into the night, the neon colored skyline a vibrant sight to see.
The last day before the Royal Family left was notwithstanding. Little happened, yet you could feel a certain stress between both parties. Lelouch looked through his group of relatives, their faces all worn with expressions of disdain. The Japanese looked saddened, but others looked on with disgust. Yet, the group of people surrounding the young prince was different, all with a lazy, but happy expression on their faces. Suzaku smiled at him, bowing low as their plane came in behind them.
"Suzaku, it was certainly interesting to get acquainted with you. I wish I could say the same about your friends. Little Kaguya seemed to be the only one who would talk to me, other than you of course."
"Do not worry. Kallen and Naoto Kouzuki are both proud people. They have Britannian blood in them, but hate that side of their family. That is why both have taken up their Japanese family's name. It was nothing you did, but rather how they have lived up till now."
"I'm glad to hear that, although I can't imagine what has happened to them, especially in this flourishing time. Still, it is not my business."
"Perhaps you can come over once again and we can have a proper meeting. I believe that they could warm up to you, as I have."
"Ha, that would be enjoyable. However, I don't know when that would be able to take place. I'm at the age where I have to start learning my place in society, along with starting an apprenticeship with someone of Royalty."
"Ah. What are you planning on falling into?"
"I would like to put my tactician's mind to something useful. A few of my closer relatives are known in this regard, and I know they both respect the way I think."
"Interesting."
"What of you?"
"I wish to join myself in some aspect of the military, but rather on the front. My father despises this course, but I would rather be closer to Tohdoh than his profession. Politics leaves a bad taste in my mouth."
"I have more a mind, myself, but I understand what you mean."
"As expected. But, Lelouch, it was good to get to know you. You've certainly made me think about the world. I only hope that we can continue such a conversation in the future."
"And I as well, my friend." Lelouch bowed customarily and moved into the plane, waving back at the party. Suzaku watched as the large plane took off, quietly fading away as the sun started to set. Kallen came up behind him and clasped a hand on his shoulder.
"I still don't like him. He seems to be interested in the fate of nations, more than someone of his age should be."
"I agree with you, but he is different from the other Britannian's I have met. He seems… more down to Earth."
"I felt like he had an inflated ego."
"Perhaps, but in a position like his, I bet it subtly comes naturally. And I myself have a small ego. I can certainly lay blame on my father's position for that."
"Heh, Suzaku, you're just too nice."
"But, I wouldn't consider that a character fault, you know." But she had already run off, leaving him to ponder on their week together. Genbu called out to him, prompting him to leave the area and return to his family's estate.
"Lelouch, I would like to wonder where you had been this week. Father was rather annoyed with your absence." Schneizel moved one of his remaining pawns forward, setting an obvious trap for his opponent. A bishop and knight were waiting to bait out the Black Queen, but Lelouch moved a rook forward, lining near the back row.
"He had you. You take after him more than I do, anyway." Lelouch took a bishop, leading along towards the king. "Check," he said proudly, but Schneizel moved the king, setting a pawn before them. Lelouch tried his way around, but the White Queen came up to the Black King.
"Check and mate." He set Lelouch's piece on its side and smiled at him, his victory usual but still worth bragging. "As for Father, he would really like to see you working your way for the throne. If anything, he believes that I am too ambition."
"And are you denying that claim?"
"Not at all. But, I would rather my father not look down upon me for vying for my born position. He knows that I am next in line, and yet he still tries for another successor."
"Father does know best," he said sardonically. "I have no interest in looking over an entire nation. I have no interest in caring for the people, either. They carry little worth to me, and I would be in a negative light if seen as a ruler like that."
"My, you're quite the heartless one, aren't we? But, I understand what you are saying. It makes little difference, however."
"So, what did you both discuss at you meetings? If Father needed me, it must have been important and about the Sakuradite no doubt."
"True, but it is something larger than that. We are breaking the non-aggression treaty we have with them; not now, but shortly."
"Why? I never knew Father for senseless violence."
"Ha, that is funny. It is because we haven't enough of the Sakuradite, and the Japanese government wont allow us to take any more from their mines."
"Why do we need it? Most of our empire runs on regular fuels, not that substance."
"Ever heard of a Knightmare Frame?"
"…No, but should I have?"
"Hehe. Perhaps that alone is reason enough to join Father on these trips." The plane kept going towards Britannia. The smooth ride hardly was bothering their chess match, allowing the younger of the two a rematch. Quickly, they set up their pieces again and started, playing through. It landed in Pendragon only hours after.
Suzaku, 17, walked about his room, searching high and low for his shinai. A gun was tethered to his hip, swaying gently as he bobbed up and down. Briefly looking out the window, he saw Britannian troops moving back and forth through his courtyard, all seemingly searching for something. They were all told to ignore the troops, but the Prime Minister understood what was happening. Tohdoh walked in, his armor off. In its stead, he wore combat fatigues, the various medals emblazoned across his chest.
"Tohdoh, what is happening?"
"Quickly, Suzaku. Something has arisen and we must leave the estate, now."
"What has happened?"
"Britannian has breached the compound."
"What?" He looked in disbelief, turning back to the troops outside. Tanks could be seen in the distance, driving up and down the streets. It had been days since he had seen a Japanese man in streets, everyone holed up in their houses. "This doesn't make sense. Why would they be invading? I spoke to Lelouch just months ago, too."
"I truly don't know, Suzaku. Your father is trying to gather a few people here. His resistance faction is getting ready to strike back. He doesn't want for you to get entangled in all of this.
"Resistance factions?" Knightmare Frames, the newly designed mecha, moved back and forth, searching through the area.
"Suzaku, no more questions. The Japanese Military is being deployed as we speak and I need to report back to General Urabe. Come on!" He grabbed the boy and started dragging him through the compound; the garage they moved to was empty, allowing them to move into one of the vehicles undisturbed. It started up easily and with incredible speed, left the area, rushing past the tanks. That was when all hell started to break loose, starting with the Knightmare Frames attack on the Prime Minister's estate. Suzaku shouted and looked back, his screams being muted by the sound of tank and machine gun fire. Tohdoh kept driving. It was the year 2017 and Britannia had begun its invasion.
So review and tell me if you like it. I'll continue it if i get a positive enough response.. And if not, i don't know... :p -AMP