Part 2. Memories of the past
Hot water really calmed and soothed his muscles and for a moment he calmed down. Leaning his head against the cool tiles, Suzaku finally made up his mind. It really didn't help anything, lingering on the past like this. What was done was already history and he could't change it. Kururugi Suzaku and Lelouch Lamperouge had died and the only thing that existed was the promise he had made to his friend.
A promise to look after his sister after his death. Even though it wouldn't really change a thing, Suzaku wasn't really kind of guy who would brake the promise he had made. Especially when it had been someones dying wish. Brunette shut down the shower, shaking water off from his skin. Determination gave him a little courage, knowing he couldn't back down now.
After he had dried himself, man walked to his wardrobe, shuffling through it. He really didn't have too many clothes, and most of them reminded him of things he wanted to forget. Knight's uniform, Knight of Zero outfit... all of those had unnerving memories he really didn't want to remember or remind Nunnaly of.
Finally he settled to plain gray suit he had bought with spare money, but never had gotten the chance to wear. It was formal, but not too fancy. The girl at the shop had complimented how it really made his eyes look green. Tiny smile crept at Suzakus face as he remembered it, he had bought this suit in occasion he ever got the courage to ask Euphemia on a date with him. But now it was already too late, so why should he let this suit just hang in the closet?
Suzaku dressed up, walking to full-size mirror hanging on the wall. It had been some time when he had looked at his reflection and he felt a little frightened on what he saw. Around his twenties, but he already had black circles under his eyes, for the lack of sleep. His face was pale and he had lost weight, a lot. Was he really this affected by one murder he had committed. It should have been just another one of the many, it had been a revenge, an agreement, so why couldn't he just let it go? Suzaku shook his head, slicking his hair back with his hand.
The halls were quiet, he didn't see anyone on his way to the dining hall and he couldn't help feeling a little relieved. Finally he reached his destination, it had taken a while to get there, considering the size of the castle and the fact he had asked for the unused, old part of the West wing, right on the other side from the regulary used parts of the building. Feeling lightly like an intruder, he knocked on the door before entering the well-lit room.
"Suzaku!" Before male could react anything, young Empress had run to him, hugging him tightly. "I've missed you so much!"
Uncertain on how to react, Suzaku looked the girl in the eyes. She seemed honest with her words, there wasn't a hint of anger or hatered in her pale violet eyes. "I...um..Thank you? Your Highness."
Girl let go of her grip, laughing. "I think you can drop your formalities here, Suzaku." She had huge smile on her face and her voice was soft. Schneizel stood on the back, watching his sister and the Japanese. "Please, come sit here. You look like you haven't eaten well lately.. I've prepared something I think you'll like."
Suzaku stepped forward, taking seat on the opposite from Nunnaly. Schneizel sat down further away, staying as the observer. "So...um..Nunnaly. What have you done for the time being? I guess I have purposely kept myself in the dark for some time about what has been going on." It felt a little awkward, talking like this to her, but Suzaku decided to give it his best, since he could see how Nunnaly was hurting inside, for the loss of her brother and all the changes that had happened to her in short period.
But the awkwardness didn't last for too long, soon the two of them felt nothing had happened at all and anytime Lelouch would walk in and everything would go back to normal, or at least back to the way it had been before the war. For the first time in ages Suzaku was able to forget it all for a while, eating all the Japanese cuisine Nunnaly had prepared for him and talking about everything, just like when they were still kids, living at the Kururugi shrine.
When they were finishing there desserts, Nunnaly suddenly looked at him, eyes full of tears. "When I came back to capital and I heard you hadn't been seen for two months, except by one maid, I was incredibly worried." She took a little pause, wiping her eyes. "I know that even though you had your reasons for hating my brother...even for killing him like that..." Another pause, her voice was shaking. "I know that deep inside, you really cared for him, didn't you?" Suzaku couldn't find the words to answer, he just nodded, looking at the girl. "I was so afraid. I didn't know if I'd lose you too!" Nunnaly cried openly, tears running from her eyes as she looked pleadingly at the brunette.
Surprised by her sudden outburst, Suzaku tried to think of a way to calm her down. "I'm not going to leave you. After all, I can't die. So please, don't worry about me!" Male did his best to form a smile on his face, trying to reassure the young Empress with it.
Without nether of them even noticing, Scneizel had stood up, walked behind his sister and was now offering an handkerchief to her. Lowering to whisper something to her ear, he quickly glanced towards Suzaku. Nunnaly dried her eyes, nodding to her half-brother.
"I have a lot of meetings to attend to tomorrow, so I guess I'll have to head for bed. It was really a pleasure to talk to you like this, after so long time. I really hope we can do this again, soon." Nunnaly stood up, smiling at Suzaku. She suddenly seemed much more mature than young male remembered her being. He stood up too, bowing his head and stood by until the Empress and her guardian had left the room.
Suzaku was still uncertain if the evening had gone well or not, but not wanting to stay for too long in a place where his identity could be revealed, Suzaku followed their footsteps, heading for his slumber.
