It had been a week since Lelouch and his siblings had been forced to go to the Kururugi Estate by their oldest brother. Since then, Lelouch hadn't been able to get the image of the supposed Suzaku Kururugi out of his head.
"Get out. Get out of my house!" A skinny, deathly pale figure standing up on wobbly legs shouted at them, voice raspy and cracking as if it hadn't been used in forever. As the figure walked away –more like dragged himself – the large front door was kicked in and an older Italian-looking woman stood there, an angry look on her face.
Then, a green-haired girl appeared beside the older woman, smirking slightly. The two proceeded to shout and throw things at the Britannian siblings till they ran for the limousine and drove off.
Lelouch shook the memory from his thoughts, frowning. "Nina!" The prince and vise-president of Ashford Academy student council yelled at the smartest member of the council – besides himself of course – Nina Einstein.
The shy girl stood up abruptly, papers scattering everywhere. After collecting the many papers, the green-haired girl walked over to stand in front of the prince. "Do you have everything?" Nodding, the genius looked down at the papers she had spent the last few days writing.
"Basically, Suzaku Kururugi is – or rather was – the only son of Genbu Kururugi, the last Prime Minister of Japan. At first, Genbu fought against the Britannian Empire and, after figuring that Japan couldn't win, surrendered. King Charles, your father, appreciated Genbu's excellent military strategies and offered him a place as a Britannian Noble. Moving here when he was only six, Suzaku was treated with the utmost respect as his father's son. Though, over the year, Genbu grew more accustomed to Britannian lifestyle and starting growing more revolted about Japanese – or Elevens – and other conquered nations. When going off to another war, on his son's seventh birthday no less, he had 'officially' turned into your father."
"You mean a bitter old man who hates everyone that isn't of Britannian royalty." Milly muttered, twirling her long, blond hair around her slender finger. After shooting her a scowl, Lelouch motioned Nina to continue.
Taking a deep breath, the genius looked back down at her report, finding the place where she left off. "After Genbu left to war, his estate slowly lost more and more employees before soon almost virtually no one worked much less lived there. Suzaku Kururugi was never heard from again."
"Sounds like a horror movie." Rivalz stated, trying to balance his pencil on his nose. "It is, believe me; you should have seen that boy." The prince muttered into his hand as he leaned on it. "Why? What did he look like?" Shirley asked, turning to look at the vise-president.
"Basically the picture in Nina's research file. Only….older and more worn out, I guess. He had trouble walked, even talking for that matter. When we arrived there, we saw him sitting in front of a large window; the room he was in was completely black."
"Sounds creepy." Milly stated, picking up the picture of the six year old Japanese boy. "Such pretty eyes." She cooed, petting the picture slightly. Everyone else just stared at her like she lost it. Kallen rolled her eyes as the student council president continued to pet the picture. "So are we going or what?"
Sayoko kept glancing over at her young master as Rakshata did her daily duties. Unbuttoning the jacket, the dark-skinned woman pulled the pristine white shirt off and up over the teenager's head. 'Just another thing to remind Suzaku of what he'll never have.' She thought bitterly, placing the jacket and shirt beside her. Pulling his pants off – as carefully as she could – she placed them beside the shirts as well. Turning back to the boy, Sayoko picking up the clothes, Rakshata lifted the soapy sponge and started washing Suzaku's arms and back.
As Rakshata continued washing the boy, Sayoko stepped out of the room, carrying the discarded clothes. Placing them in the dirty laundry shute, she continued on her way down the large staircase. She was met with the sight of Gino and Anya. Bowing her head to the two of them – knowing that they didn't care if she did a proper bow or not – made her way to the parlor.
Cécile was already in there, placing some of the newly washed blankets on one of the couches. "Morning Master Weinberg, Mistress Alstreim." The blue-haired woman greeted, bowing to the two of them.
"Now, now Cécile!" The tall blond chuckled, walking up to the obviously shorter woman. "What have I said about being formal?" Gino grinned, turning to lean slightly on the Cécile's shoulder. "S-Sorry." The woman stuttered. "You know me. Habits die hard."
Gino just nodded as C.C. walked into the room, carrying a slice of pizza in her hand. "Where's Lloyd?" She asked simply, staring blankly at the people in the room. "Working on that desk that Gino almost broke on his last visit." Sayoko stated, chuckling behind her hand as the tall blond blushed slightly.
Turning around, C.C. nodded to Anya before she left the parlor, continuing her search for Lloyd.
Back in the room, the Indian woman worked on washing her master's legs. Quickly rinsing off the soap, she dried the pale skin of the excess water. "Just in time." She stated as Gino walked through the doors. "I need you to hold him up."
Nodding, the blond walked up to the two, lacing his arms under the younger teenager's arms, he held the comatose boy up. Rakshata grabbed some clothes from a nearby drawer, laying them on the slightly dusty bed. Glancing back at the two teens, she silently wondered if this was the right thing to do. Shaking the thought out of her head, she walked over; placing her master's arms through the large sleeves of the elegantly woven kimono with the help of Gino.
After tying the kimono closed with the plain, bright red obi, Rakshata stood back and admired her handy work. Having placed the boy down, Suzaku sat on his custom chair, wearing a – shorter than normal – traditional black kimono with a dragon brilliantly etched in gold on the back – some kanji woven onto the left arm as well – held in place with a simple red obi, tied into a large bow on the lower part of his back. (1)
Nodding slightly in appreciation, she motioned for Gino to hold him up again. Sliding the black, gold embroidered hakama up, she tightened the string so it hung without falling down. Pushing the top the hide it under the obi, she sat back, once again enjoying her handy work. Gino placed the brunette down once again, walking around to get a good look at the boy.
Whistling softly, Gino kneeled in front of the Japanese boy, taking his hand and kissed it softly. "You look more alive now than ever before, Suzaku-san."
"Arigatou."
It was low and slightly scratchy, but just the sound sent a wave of shock shooting through the two. Looking at each other in surprise, they turned to the brunette, who was staring back at them, the first time in what seemed like in forever, a ghost of a smile on his lips.
The shocked silence was interrupted by a loud yell – sounding very similar to that of C.C. – and a loud smash – which sounded much more like wood than anything –. Jerking out of the daze, Gino sprinted out the door and towards the staircase. Rakshata was about to follow but was stopped as a pale hand gripped her sleeve.
Turning to stare into still dull green eyes, she nodded slightly. Tugging some clean black socks onto her master's feet – the marble hallways were at freezing temperature in the morning – and helped him stand up. As they walked through the hallway, they were met with the sight of several Britannian students, a wooden desk smashed to pieces in front of them with C.C., Sayoko, and Gino about ready to rip someone's head off as they came to a stop at the top of the staircase.
Then Rakshata noticed one of the students, remembering having seen him before. Before she could speak up, Suzaku beat her to it. "What are you doing here?" He asked simply, his voice still raspy from being unused. "I thought I told you to leave."
'So I'm not the only one who recognizes that Britannian fool.' The Indian woman thought, tightening her grip on the younger master slightly. "Itai. Not so hard." He mumbled softly so only she could hear. Suddenly, everyone – minus the students, including Gino and Anya – rushed to stand at the base of the stairs. "It's an honor to see you walking again in such a short time, Suzaku-san." The pink-haired girl simply stated, bowing slightly.
Lloyd and Cécile grinned broadly, bowing as well while C.C. and Sayoko simply smiled. "And as lovely dressed as you used to be." Gino smiled, leaning on Lloyd. "Flirtatious as always." Suzaku mumbled, rolling his eyes slightly. "C.C. Sayoko."
Nodding, the ninja-maid elbowed the tall blond in the gut while C.C. smacked him in the head as he doubled over in pain. Lloyd and Cécile chuckled, while Rakshata shook her head and Suzaku simply smiled.
Turning, Suzaku looked at Lelouch, frowning. "Why are you still here?"
The prince stopped Kallen as she was about to retort in anger. "You guys go back to the Academy. I'll be back when I'm finished here." His tone of voice left no room for argument. The rest of the student council grumbled as they left the large, practically abandoned house.
Once they left, Lelouch quickly climbed the large staircase, ignoring the glares on his back. As he reached the top, he kneeled in front of the brunette, silently noting how more lively he looked in the traditional Japanese clothing. "I'm sorry for what you father did to you."
The brunette stepped back slightly, wobbling a little bit before Rakshata helped him stand straight. "How would you know?" Suzaku spat, anger and hatred filling his voice. Lelouch silently noted that the hatred was appointed to the mentioning of the boy's father, not himself. "I don't know the full extent, but I feel we have similar problems. My father abandoned me and my mother when we most needed it." (2)
Suzaku deflated slightly, the anger at both his father and at Britannian taking away what little strength he had. "If you would allow me, I can give you a proper home in my own estate. Your friends can come with if you like. I have a feeling that this place has to many terrible memories." Lelouch stated, standing up straight again.
From his position, Lelouch could easily tell that the Kururugi heir hadn't paid close enough mind to his health – physically and mentally – for quite a while. "No…it's just that he doesn't talk with anyone nowadays. Doesn't even leave his room for that matter." The statement had gone through his mind, over and over, since he and his siblings had first come here. The person, who said statement was about, was currently standing – more like leaning on the dark-skinned woman – in front of him seemed to prove that statement to be true.
Holding his hand out to the younger, Lelouch silently pleaded for the boy to take it. "Nothing bad will ever happen to you again. I promise."
The brunette stared at the prince's hand for a few minutes, his dull green eyes showing absolutely no emotion. Even the thought of it made Lelouch mentally shutter. After a while, though, Suzaku hesitantly placed his hand in the slightly tanner one of the prince. (3)
Nodding, Lelouch –with some assistance from Rakshata – helped Suzaku descend the large, dusty staircase.
1) http: //i187. photobucket. com/albums/ x185/mikoofdoom /Story-related . Only black and reaching about at the thigh.
2) This happened. Don't know when, but it just did. Lelouch's mother died of cancer when he was about eleven. (Ha. Pun.) After her funeral, his older siblings had offered to take him in. And they did. So yuh.
3) Lelouch is slightly tanner in my version, but that's mainly because he's royalty. He has to go to opening ceremonies, parties, celebrations, yada yada. Also, Suzaku hasn't even seen the sun in 10 years so he's as white as a piece of paper.
Anyway. Hope you enjoyed it. I don't own Code Geass. Yada yada. And as always, ignore any grammar mistakes. Also, if you have any suggestions, please don't feel threatened enough NOT to send them. Thank you.