Summary: Suzaku, a 9-year-old orphaned Eleven, has always known loneliness and suffering ever since his family died. Until one day, by some twist of fate, he unknowingly met Lelouch, the 11th prince of Britannia. Witness as the boy who had nothing finds his everything in the love of a big brother. Hurt!cute!Suzaku x Protective!BigBrother!Lelouch

OOO

Chapter 1: Nii-chan, Big Brother

The year is 2020 of the Imperial calendar. 3 years has passed since the last uprising of terrorists in Area 11 against the rule of the Holy Britannian Empire, the world's greatest superpower that had conquered the once neutral country of Japan. The nation that was once reined by conflict, terror and violence has finally been stabilized. However, this did not come without a price.

Death due to endless warfare between Britannians and Elevens may have significantly decline, but the harsh realities of corruption and discrimination against Elevens persisted, if not, even more so today. They lived in the direst of situations: in the ghettoes were the streets were littered with criminals, access to safe potable water were limited, overcrowded unsanitary hospitals and glass ceilings on workforce were set so as no Elevens can go beyond the rank of any Britannians.

Britannia had the world at its feet, being the most powerful empire in the world, controlling more than half of the globe and continuously expanding by making more and more nations submit to their rule. In addition, the Darwinist ideology, that the Emperor never failed to instill into the hearts and minds of Britannians, further worsened discrimination against the numbers. The strong will always prevail over the weak. Survival of the fittest… that will always be the way of life.

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In a far away secluded island, a 9-year old Eleven named, Suzaku, woke up unusually late this Saturday morning. Today, he had the weekend break to rest and recuperate after all the hard work he went through over the previous days in the Britannian-owned Sakuradite mine in Kamine island.

Suzaku has lived and worked in this island for as long as he can remember. The labor had been inhumanely impossible especially for a 9 year old child, with a petite, malnourished body frame. However, being an orphan and alone all his life, Suzaku had no choice but to work in order to live and survive.

Every morning on his way to work, Suzaku has to walk on foot to reach the mines since there are no means of transportation available for him and if there was one available, he still would not be able to afford given the meager salary he gets. Most of the times, his slippers get torn because of the rough terrain he managed to thread on every day. Then he had to endure walking for miles on barefoot that he usually ended up with bleeding feet. His suffering didn't end there.

By the time, he reached the mines, he would be bombarded with never-ending hard labor consisting of digging using a pick-ax probably weighing heavier than him, then he had to lift and carry against his back a sack filled with Sakuradite minerals. It was extremely heavy especially for a child like him that he would be lucky enough if he wouldn't miss a step. Unfortunately for Suzaku, luck was never on his side.

Often times, he would trip and come tumbling to the ground along with the contents of the sack he had carefully placed inside. Then if he was even unluckier, a Britannian guard would catch him right at that very moment. Instead of lending the poor struggling boy a hand, they would find punishing and whipping him a more enjoyable task to spend their time with.

His daily work routine would consist of Suzaku arriving at the site with the sun not yet rising, then he would descend into the pits of the mountain, start his manual labour and emerge by the time the sun had gone down. Not that Suzaku was complaining, it's not in his nature to complain, after all he's a Number. The boy had been long resigned to his fate. Besides, this job provides him food and shelter, what more could he ask for?

Suzaku was orphaned three years ago. By that time he was 6 years old, barely able to talk in full sentences, or read on his own. Both his parents died during a heated battle that occurred between Britannians and faction of a terrorist group that reside or more aptly put 'hide' in Kamine island. His family has been killed when a fallen Knightmare of the Britannian forces crushed a huge area of Eleven settlement which happened to be where their house was situated. There were alot of casualities, including friends and relatives. It was always a wonder how he managed to survive. Was it some form of a miracle or a curse?

Since then, Suzaku has lived all on his own. He had no one to talk to. No one cared for the orphaned Eleven who had lost everything he held dear in his life in one blow.

The little boy cried all night, he always had nightmares of tall burly men, armed with guns coming after him and torturing him because he was an Eleven and that he should have died along with his parents. He would wake up at night panting, sweating and shivering. He would hug himself in the corner of the small cave that had been his residence since the tragedy. He'd whisper the names of his parents, as if saying their names would bring them back to life. They never did, and as time passed by, Suzaku had learned to accept this fact however his longing for them never ceased.

This cave he resides in was situated near the sea shore and far from most Eleven settlements built post-war in the island. Since his parents death he had no one to talk to especially that time he was grieving. No one comforted the poor little boy.

In three years that has passed, Suzaku has grown in isolation. He was a very shy child who would rather observe from a far than get involved. He had learned to be self-reliant, fending to his own needs. At a very young age, he learned to cook, fish and pick fruits and vegetables that nature generously offered. He was able to adjust to his situation and survive.

The same year the Britannian has finally gained control of the island was also the time a big Sakuradite mining industry was put up in the same place. Every Elevens that reside in the island were forced to work in the mines regardless of age. Suzaku was one of them. He was recruited at the age of 6, the youngest among the child laborers.

The little compensation he got from working enabled him to experience small luxuries for an orphaned child like him, like buy baked bread, medicine, rice or even clothes to keep him warm from winter. Whenever he would visit the market during his trips at the village, he would look around and see Eleven children the same age as him being held by either their mother or father. One would cry and eventually be hugged and comforted by his mother. Whenever he sees these acts of love between children and parents he couldn't help but feel tears starting to well up at the corner of his eyes. The sense of longing would once again resurface.

He'd always longed to be hugged and loved like before. However for three long years all the boy had known were torture, suffering and loneliness.

OOO

Suzaku finally lifted his sore body from the small makeshift wooden cot he used as his bed, while rubbing away the sleepiness from his eyes with the back of his small hands, as if a 10-hour long overtime sleep has not been enough.

Today was a Saturday, he usually went to the marketplace to buy some basic necessities or just look around and unwind but today he didn't feel like going. He fixed his pillow and straw mattress. He planned to stay at his place or sit by the seashore to just relax and gaze at the vast horizon. Suzaku loved the peacefulness it brings to his entire soul. No hard labor, no Britannians who treat him cruelly, no physical or emotional sufferings... just pure peace and calm.

He decided to walk outside towards the shore to relax and unwind. As soon as he stepped outside the cave, cool midmorning breeze immediately brushed against his entire petite frame, his brown disheveled hair was blown together with the wind. His gaze stretched as far as the shore, the ocean was calm and the sun was shining brightly. The water was sparkling blue, reflecting the heavenly skies above. The white sand, the blue ocean and skies were further accentuated by all the green scenery that consisted of different kinds of vegetation, trees and plants on the island.

His gaze continuously scan the all too familiar stretch of land that he never get tired of looking, when suddenly something peculiar caught his attention. Then realization hit him—a body, seemingly unconscious, was lying prone on the sand.

Without any second thoughts, instinct kicked in and Suzaku ran as fast he could to help. As soon as he reached the unconscious body, he sank to his knees beside it.

What or who he saw was an older boy probably in his late teens. Immediately, he brushed back the black locks that were covering his face. Automatically he asked, "Mister, are you alright?"

He waited for a moment for a response but when none came, Suzaku panicked. It's not that it was his first time to see a dead or unconscious body, it's a frequent sight especially at the mines. But to be left with a dead body on his own, was a different story.

Suzaku firmly gripped the side of the boy's shoulders and hips as he flipped the older boy's body so he would be lying on his back. Without wasting anytime, he pressed the side of his face against the boy's chest to listen for any breathing or heart beat. He was relieved when he heard a gush of air through the lungs and loud thumping of a beating heart indicating that man was alive. Then as if on cue, the man coughed forcefully, while slightly twisting on his side to get the water off his lung and out of his mouth. After which, he went back to his lying position.

Then the events that followed occurred as if everything was in slow motion. Suzaku watched as the older boy slowly opened his eyes, and as if caught in a trance, Suzaku saw the most beautiful and rarest violet eyes he has been graced to see in all his life. He couldn't express how lucky he was that these beautiful eyes under the thickest and darkest eyelashes were looking directly towards him. He could look at it forever and never get tired of it. Not only that, he also never failed to notice his fair skin similar to a delicate expensive porcelain, his dark raven hair however disheveled still perfectly frames his face, his nose were high and pointed and his face was sculptured perfectly like what a master artist would do to his most prized art. Simply put, the young man before him was simply too perfect to be put into words.

Then the beautiful god before him spoke briefly, his voice was deep, rich and velvety.

Suzaku remained on his knees. He was unable to respond, he failed to hear what he said because he was too distracted. He can't help himself from staring, it was his first time to see such a beautiful human being. Then the young man gracefully sat then stood up, he stretched his long legs and began looking around him.

"Where am I? What is this place?" the man whispered as if to himself, while sounding a bit overwhelmed as he look around him with genuine wonder and curiosity.

Suzaku as if awakened from a trance, slightly shook his head, as the realization dawned on him. Before him, standing with the familiar characteristic tall imposing figure of a Britannian. A sudden wave of fear washed over him. He was fearful at how he inappropriately acted towards the Britannian youth. He remembered how many times he was punished for not keeping his head bowed to his betters. His previous experiences with interacting with Britannian police in the mines didn't help either. He was never welcomed to speak to them. They always instill to him that he was underneath them, that he was never to look at them or even dare speak to them unless of importance.

Now, not only did he look at him but he just rudely stared at him and even ignored him when he was asked. Even if it wasn't intentional, or even if it was because he was preoccupied, how he acted was rude. Without further thinking he did what he believed would help appease his ill-mannered behavior, he pressed both his small palms against the ground, bowed his head and tried to open his mouth to apologize but because of fear and the overwhelming presence of the older boy, no words came out.

"I'm sor— I didn't mean-be rude..so sorry" Suzaku began speaking incoherent words, he felt choking back tears forming around his eyes as he tried his best to apologize and avoid punishment. There was a moment of silence until he heard shuffling of feet which was followed by a firm but gentle grasp at his shoulders. He shivered at the contact and as a reflex, he shot his head upwards, surprised to see the face of the older boy close to his, violet eyes looking intently at his own. The older boy's facial features softened, as they both look to each other, his face washed with worry and concern. Suzaku jerked a little as he felt the older boy's thumb lightly wiped the tears freely flowing down his cheeks. What happened next, completely caught Suzaku off guard when he asked,

"Hey, are you alright? Why are you crying? Did I do or say anything wrong?" Suzaku just stared at him agape, did he just ask if he's okay? Was he really concerned whether he was offended? No one ever cared whether he was alright or not. No one ever gets anxious when someone did wrong to him or not. He stared even more at the older boy's face for any signs that he interpreted the question to him wrongly. His perfect porcelain fair skin, high cheekbones and aristocratic nose were some of his intimidating features, but somehow at that very moment, they don't seem to affect the same way as earlier. He was obviously different from the Britannian police officers who were rough, because this boy was gentler. The way he talked or looked at him was gentler. The way he held him was way nicer. There was no way he was like the Britannian police. Because of this, a slightly heavy burden was lifted from Suzaku's chest, but still he can't help tearing some more, causing the other boy's concern to grow even more.

Suzaku froze when he felt strong arms wrapped around his petite frame, his face pressed against the older boy's chest, while a hand was soothingly make circular motion at his back, providing him great comfort. "Please don't cry. I apologize for anything I have said or done to offend you. And don't be afraid of me. I'm completely harmless."

It's been a long time since Suzaku has been hugged, probably way back, before his parents died. And now out of the blue, a stranger, no less than a Britannian was hugging him. Suzaku's tensed body visibly relaxed. His sobbing also slowed down to a halt.

He opened his eyes widely and once again shyly glanced at the boy before him. The older boy was smiling kindly and Suzaku blushed deeply at the same time quickly averting his eyes downward, focusing instead at the ground beneath. He slowly felt the arms that previously wrapped him into a hug, withdrawing.

As the older boy slowly withdrew, Suzaku caught a glance of a small fresh wound at the older boy's ankle, he gasped and quickly informed the former, "Master, your ankle is bleeding. Please, allow me to help you." Suzaku quickly busied himself, inspecting the wound.

"oh…" the older boy, glanced down. He seemed surprised and completely unaware of the injury. "Thank you… I'm sorry but I still don't know who you are. Do you live in this place? And what is this place called?"

"My name is Suzaku. I was born in this place, it's called Kammine island " Suzaku said in a soft voice but enough for it to be heard clearly. His attention was still focused on tending on the wound. He noted the laceration to be a bit deep, he needed to tie it with a cloth to stop the bleeding, but he needed to clean it first. "Master, we need to go to my home so I can tend to your wound." He stated, asking for permission.

"Yes, please" The boy before him smiled and slowly stood up, preparing to leave. "By the way you don't need to address me with that."

Suzaku was surprised. Did he mean addressing him as master? To Suzaku, the older boy in front of him was the very definition of an aristocrat, from the way he looks, acts and talks to his expensive-looking clothes, there was no mistaking that the youth before him was no less than an aristocrat. Heck, Suzaku would even believe if someone tells him he's with a prince. But that would seem a little too far-fetched. What would a prince or any aristocrat do to a desolate place like this? Calling him 'master' was the most appropriate honorific he could think of addressing him. But if the older boy requested not to call him as such, what would he call him now?

"But… how do you want me to call you? May I ask what's your name?"

"My name?" the look of confusion cannot be mistaken from the boy's face. The Britannian youth took a deep breath and glanced down, whispering to himself, "who am i?"

What followed was a moment of silence as the older boy was immersed in deep thought. Suzaku sensed something was wrong.

"I have no idea!" The older boy finally gave up coming with a name, his voice a few decibels higher and laced with frustration and helplessness. "As a matter fact, I don't even know why I'm here! I don't know this place! I cannot recall anything. Even my own name." The older teen continued his outburst, he run his long fingers through the side of his long thick dark raven hair as if the gesture would give him answers. The previously smiling, calm and reassuring demeanor of the older boy was now replaced with confusion, anxiety and fear. He closed his eyes tightly as if trying to recall as much as anything he could, both his hands were at his sides and closed in a tight fist.

Little Suzaku frowned, he felt sad. He wanted to help this boy so badly or somehow ease his burden but he didn't know what to say or do. Then gathering all the courage he could muster, Suzaku took one of the older boy's tightly close fists, enveloping it with both his small hands. He never touched a Britannian before nor did he ever think of coming this close to them, but at this moment none of it mattered. Britannian or not, he wanted to make the older boy feel that he was not alone. Somehow, the situation the older boy was in felt very close to his heart. Like him, the older boy was alone. However unlike him, the older boy's situation may be doubly worse, as he had no recollection of who he was, his family or his life in general.

The small gesture Suzaku caused the other boy to stop for a moment, his violet eyes locked on the smaller boy's green ones. When he finally got the elder boy's full attention, Suzaku stood straight and made up the fiercest look he could, wanting to appear stronger than he really was. "mister, please don't be sad. I am here. I will never leave you alone."

But seriously, what could a 9 year old boy like him do? Not to mention he was small, frail and could barely survive his day to day life.

The strong façade that he previously built was starting to break due to lack of confidence. But despite of that, with soft quiet voice, he eagerly offered, "if you need any help, I can give you a hand. I'll do the best I can to help you."

Suzaku was surprised when all of a sudden, he felt the tension at the older boy's slowly ebbed away as his previously tightly closed fist slowly relaxed.

OOO

"You're a brave little boy, Suzaku, I must be lucky that you're the one who found me on this island. For the time being, call me whatever you like, it's the least of my concerns right now." He certainly still looked down, but better than during his outburst.

Without further thinking, Suzaku wrapped his small arms around the older male's waist, "nii-chan…" suzaku murmured against the rich fabric on the older boy's shirt. "Can I call you nii-chan for the time being?"

"nii-chan…?" He trailed for a moment, unsure of what to make out of the unfamiliar word.

"It means big brother in Japanese!"

"That doesn't sound bad at all. And if that's what you like then, I'll be your 'nii-chan'." A small smile slowly appeared on the face of the older youth.

Suzaku was grateful to see him smile again. There was a glowing sense of pride in him that he was the one who made him smile. Suzaku is willing to do anything for him. It was nothing compared to what the older boy gave him—a big brother.

He never wished nor expected to have a big brother. The happiness Suzaku felt at that very moment was indescribable. Although he knew, it wouldn't last. Sooner or later, the older boy would leave him and be with his real family, he would be left on his own once more, but it doesn't matter.

"nii-chan" He smiled dreamily, as his hug around his big brother's waist tightened as if a child hugging his most prized Christmas present. His smile grew even wider when he felt his big brother's arms hugged him in return.

OOO

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