I'm baaaaack! Did anyone miss me? [gets killed by angry mobs with torches and pie.]

After much consideration, I'm changing the stories name to Blackened Hearts instead of Blackened Hearts and Secluded Misery. Much shorter, and lovelier, isn't it?

Please ignore any grammar/spelling mistakes.

Anyway.

ON WITH THE STORY.

Chapter Five: Nightmare

One month after settling in, Lelouch and the others started working to get Suzaku back into shape; healthier. Rakshata was in charge of the vitamins, Cécile the food. Lloyd and Sayoko helped in the physical health while C.C. and Lelouch just helped him in general.

Suzaku had only a basic understanding of most things, having shut down when he was only seven. Many things had to be explained, often most by Lelouch, C.C., or Sayoko.

It was pitiful really.

Once his health had improved – which in of itself had taken nearly a year – they had taken to homeschooling Suzaku. Lloyd taught math and, with the help of Rakshata, science. When not helping Lloyd, Rakshata taught a multitude of health related teachings. C.C. taught history and Cécile grammar along with spelling.

It was a long and gruesome process, but it was worth it.

-----x-----

After struggling for a few minutes, Suzaku gave up. It wasn't worth it. Lelouch was just too damn stubborn.

"Now, what problem did you need help with?" Said blackette asked, standing up and fixing his uniform like he hadn't just pinned the brunette down to get an answer out of him. Suzaku huffed. The jerk.

"Nein (1)."

"Nine? But, you already have that." Lelouch stated, looking down at the incomplete math homework in front of him on the desk. Why the hell would the brunette have trouble with a problem he already finished, much less got correct?

Looking up, he found out why.

Damn Gino and his insistence that Suzaku learn German.

Damn him.

-----x-----

Suzaku leaned against the wall, panting softly. Sliding down, the brunette sat on the ground, enjoying the cool feeling of the smooth tiles. The halls were a white marble, speckled with purple and gold flecks as well as pink, grey and black. He enjoyed just sitting in the hall, watching as the light shined off the polished stone as he leaned left and right. He even set a chair outside his door to do just that. Lelouch's siblings thought he was insane or at least mentally ill, but Lelouch just smiled and waved it off, often joining him when not occupied by school or fancy frou-frou (2) parties.

The brunette leaned his head back, sighing as he looked at the ceiling.

'So much has changed.' He thought, closing his eyes.

Ten years he had closed himself off from the world, not thinking about how much it would affect him and the ones he loved around him. The world had changed so much in the seemingly long, yet short time. Not to mention the one to two years he has spent with Lelouch.

Suzaku smiled as he thought about the blackette. He truly did owe that man his life.

The brunette shifted slightly in his spot, his slim hand connecting with a gritty liquid. Furrowing his brow in confusion, Suzaku opened his eyes.

'Since when did the lights get turned off?' He first thought, but, after adjusting his eyes, they widened slightly as they took in the sight of the dull, lifeless, dust covered granite he had completely forgotten about, after these few years.

Looking down, he let out a long, loud shriek as he saw what his hand had connected with earlier.

Blood.

CLIFF HANGER.

Sorry it's so short, but I wanted to leave a major cliff hanger that made you not only want to kill me, but I couldn't come up with anything else. BUT I PROMISE THAT THIS IS THE SHORTEST MY CHAPTERS WILL EVER GET.

I promise. ; A;

1. Nein = No (German).

2. That's what C.C. calls them. Go figure.

Give me ideas (and reviews).

Fffffffffff.