Price Tag

There was a prelude to this whole 'hiking' thing.

Which included visiting the observatory (awesome), lunch at an upscale restaurant made by Suzaku's recommendation (even better) and a movie. If Euphy wasn't buttering me up, I had no idea what was going on.

However, there is always an exception

The hike.

Up to a height that was so great that my head was resting on my shoulders as the top of the 'hill' disappeared into the clouds.

Puppy dog eyes or not, she was officially a bitch.

"There's a cable car ride you get to take on the way down for two people, it's supposed to have the best view in London.*"

View of what? We were at a provincial park!

"Shall we go?" Suzaku swept a hand around to the entrance and took Euphy's hand and gestured for us to take his lead.

"Curious question." My voice was still a bit bitter. He turned to me, eyebrows raised in puzzlement.

"How is Nunally going to go up? I don't intend to leave her alone with-"

"Lelouch it's-"

"Not it's not 'ok'!"

"SHUT UP! Had it ever occurred to you that I said it for your sake?" the damage had already been done as the prince paled. "You're being selfish! I'm not your scapegoat anymore."

Words died in my throat, and by the looks of Nunally, so had her's.

Cornelia had looked like she was going to say something, but Guilford stopped her with a hand on her shoulder and a nod 'no.'

Suzaku broke the tense silence, rubbing auburn curls with a hesitant hand.

"Well I actually thought that through. The walkways are flat and paved. There will be one or two steep steps, but it isn't like a giant staircase with a bad incline-if that's what you were worried about.

As selfish as it was, I was only worried that I'd be nearly dying as I ogled the happy couple.

"Yes. Thanks." Nunally didn't say anything as I took hold of her chair and directed her to the entrance.

I didn't exaggerate when I said I would nearly die.

The air gets heavier the higher yo get, colder, and dragging one person's weight pus your own, gets difficult the farther you go on. It doesn't help if you're wearing a light sweater, your sister weighs what she eats, and the love of your life and half-sister are walking in hand and stealing kisses with stupid giggles. Not that I was looking or anything. And if it wasn't bad enough, we weren't even halfway up yet. I'm a constant downer, aren't I?

"Where the hell is Cornelia and Guilford?" I huffed, deciding the silence was enough, even though it allowed me to regain my breath easier.

"Doing what all horny teenagers do when left alone together." It must run in the family, I thought, not bothering to reprimand her for her vulgar choice of words.

"Damn! When did we lose them?"

"Third incline in. I think they were getting turned of by you're coughing and wheezing that they left." The blood was rushing to my head. Not good.

"Euphy! I think brother is dying!"

Smooth. But I could go along with it.

A/N: A transition chapter for bigger things ;)