Nunnally stood in anticipation. This woman looked exactly like the one she used to call "mother." Rolo felt confused on how he should react. Instinctively, he and Nunnally moved toward Lelouch.

The woman ran up and hugged Lelouch. The eldest sibling stood frozen.

"I'm so glad! Lelouch, Nunnally, Rolo, you've all grown so much."

"Mother?", Nunnally said carefully.

"My dear Nunnally. You're still such a beautiful girl. And Rolo, oh you're just as I remember you."

"So then you're Marianne? Our mother?", Lelouch asked.

"Of course, don't you recognize me?", Marianne asked.

"We have reason to believe someone changed our memories, Suzaku too", Lelouch said.

"Changed your memories? Then, where did you live? Who took care of you?"

"Mary took care of us", Lelouch answered.

"Mary? My sister did? Where is she?!"

"She was thought to be dead before. But I think she's somewhere here."

"We have to save her! She was being interrogated!", Nunnally said.

"That's what I plan to do. But first it would be helpful to know why people thought we died", Lelouch turned to his mother.

"You three were supposed to be staying at a nobleman's home to learn more about the royal lineage. It was one of your studies, Lelouch you were about 10."

"What happened?", he asked.

Marianne continued. "There was an attack. Witnesses said that people broke in and killed everyone, and then the mansion was burned down. Your bodies were never found so", tears filled Marianne's eyes.

She felt a hand squeeze her and saw Rolo smiling.

"It's okay. We're alive now, and that's what matters. . .Mother."

Marianne wiped her tears. "We should find out a few things. His Majesty is known for keeping secrets, but enough is enough."

"We should find C.C. and Suzaku", Lelouch said.

"Your father is going to want to through a banquet for you though. He always does make a show of things."

As she said that maid came in with a bundle of clothes. Marianne took Nunnally to a separate room. As they started to get dressed, Lelouch had to push the maids away to give him and Rolo some privacy.

While they put on their clothes, Rolo looked in the full body mirror. He looked uncertain. Lelouch walked over to him.

"Brother, is this going to be our lives from now on?"

"I'm not sure. For now it seems safe. But if I get the slightest idea that it's a danger to you or Nunnally, I'll get you out."

Rolo smiled, then pouted. "It's not just that, don't these clothes seem a little. . ."

"I admit, their fancier than what we're used to. But I'm sure we can manage", Lelouch assured his brother.

- - -

Nunnally stood nervously as her mother looked through the dresses.

"Hmm, I think you'd look good in pink, but a soft pink", Marianne mused to herself.

She turned toward the young girl when she noticed she was silent.

"What's wrong Nuna?"

"Nuna? You used to call me that?"

"Of course. You used to run around the palace with Euphie and it be tiring to call both of you by your full names. Plus, Nuna is so cute!"

"So, Euphie and I were friends?"

"Just like full-blooded sisters", Marianne said helping Nunnally put on her dress.

"Was I like that with all of my sisters?"

Marianne froze for a moment. "Well, not all of them. But tell me about how your life has been. Especially about that brown haired young man."

"Suzaku? He's Lelouch's best friend. Suzaku was like a another brother to me." Then Nunnally said in a hushed town, "And just between you and me I think he likes Euphie."

"Oh how cute. When Euphie came back from her trip she seemed to go off in a daze a lot more. I wonder if Suzaku has something to do with that."

- - -

The celebration started and Lelouch tried to keep Nunnally and Rolo close to him. Before long Nunnally was pulled away by Euphemia, and Rolo was being doted on by noblewomen.

"Oh he's just so cute!"

"Remember how he used to cling to Empress Marianne's skirts?"

"And he's still got that innocent look!"

Soon the time came for Lelouch to meet his other siblings. He already had an idea how they would act, but decided to at least get to know them. The first he met was Cornelia She introduced herself as Euphemia's sister.

"Euphie told me that you were alive, and I didn't believe her. Now I see that I was wrong."

Lelouch noticed that she smiled at him lovingly, almost the same way Marianne did. From behind her someone came up with a smile of glee.

"Lelouch I'm so glad you're back! Now I have you and Nunnally to inspire me again!"

"Clovis do you think you could be a little more considerate?", Cornelia said.

"I'm surprised Clovis, you and Lelouch were practically rivals before", another man said with a small grin.

"I bet you're just as euphoric as I am Schneizel. Lelouch was your favorite opponent!", Clovis exclaimed.

"That's true, Lelouch made chess interesting", Schneizel said.

"Speaking of interesting, who's that boy you brought with you?", Clovis asked.

"That's my friend Suzaku. Without him, I don't think we could've made it this far", Lelocuh said.

"Well then, he must be safe. Though I don't think I like him so close to either Nunnally or Euphemia", Cornelia said warily.

"I can assure you that Suzaku is nothing but a gentleman, almost to a fault. He cares fo Nunnally like a sister."

"And Euphemia? You must admit they're rather close. I don't think they've left each other's side all night", Schniezel said inquisitively.

"Yes they are. But I trust Suzaku. He has an unwavering conscience", Lelouch grinned at his friend who was currently talking to Euphie.

"That reminds me, who was that woman you came in with?", Cornelia asked.

- - -

"Welcome back C.C."

The green haired girl woke and saw she was chained to a table. On her side was a young boy with blonde hair.

"V.V., what do you plan to do with me?", she asked.

"I plan to keep you hear until the final obstacle is cleared", the young boy said.

"You're going to stay here with me the whole time?"

"No. I have an old friend to look after you."

"It's been a long time my darling", a slightly deranged voice called.

C.C.'s face contorted in fear. "No, no, NOOO!!"

- - -

Lelocuh was starting to get bored when he realized that he hadn't seen C.C. for hours.

"I should go look for her. No telling what kind of trouble she can get into."

"Lelouch", a sweet voice called.

He turned and saw Euphemia. "What is it?"

"Do you think that Suzaku, would want to stay here? You know just for a while?"

"I think he'd like to. But he does have a home to get back to, so I'm not sure you could keep him forever."

Euphie started blushing. "K-keep him? That's not what I meant."

Before Lelocuh could tease her anymore Rolo came running up to them.

"Brother, I think Nunnally's in trouble."

At that Lelouch followed Rolo to their sister. When they came to her Nunnally was being glared at by a girl her age with red hair.

- - - - - - -

Up next: Nunnally gets a rival, the teddy bear shows up, and Lelouch's masculinity is poked at. ^-^