Hi, Nayunari 'Ayu' Tsuki here. Now I know it's been nearly 2 months and some of you want to kill me. Rightfully so. But I had an assignment I had to finish for school (which is August 9th) and I temporarily forgot about my stories. I'm sure you think that's a load of bull seeing as I made a new story. It was a quick thing. But yep, 2 months...Sorry about that. I've actually had a lot of this chapter done for a while, and I finished it just today (I think). So I may or may not have been stalling. But it's updated now, and I'm gonna be a sophomore in high school this year and I'm taking a college level class, so I'll try to squeeze what time I have into writing it.

Please enjoy. I think you may like it. Now excuse me while I go make up for my days of not watching anime or reading fics.

Standard disclaimer is here.

~BREAK~

"Oh, come on, Lulu, it won't be that bad! It's just a play! After that, I won't hang out with you any more," Suzaku reasoned.

"Is that supposed to make me happy?" Lelouch replied angrily. Suzaku sighed heavily, a nervous laugh finding its way out. Suzaku just didn't know how to deal with him.

Then he hatched an idea. "Do you want to be friends instead? That would work too! I'd only come around when you need me," he said happily.

Lelouch crossed his arms and frowned. Friendship wasn't what he had. Not even acquaintance. He just wanted to go back to hating him and move on with his life before this play. "That is NOT what I want from you."

"Because you want something more."

"Huh?" Lelouch asked himself out loud, blinking in confusion. "Suzaku, did you say something?"

"Not just now, why?" Suzaku asked with concern. Lelouch threaded his hand through his hair and sighed. "I'm just going crazy."

"You're head over heels for him, and can't even tell him."

"All right, someone's talking to me and I can't see them," Lelouch growled out. What the hell was talking to him?

"Just me!" Just like that, a little fairy-sized girl popped onto Lelouch's shoulder. Strange, she looked a lot like...

"Milly? What happened to– Suzaku, do you see anything on my shoulder?" Lelouch asked in disbelief, pointing to the little Milly fairy.

Suzaku stared at him incredulously. "There's supposed to be something there?"

"No, I'm just crazy," Lelouch said in defeat, dropping his head. "You're not crazy! You're just dreaming! Now wake up and tell Suzaku you love him!"

At that moment Lelouch's eyes shot open. He was...dreaming that?

He sighed dejectedly and sat up. "That was one strange dream. But why would Milly say what she did? Maybe it's just because she's Milly...I don't know anything anymore...Suzaku, you idiot."

"Thinking about your sister's boyfriend are you?" C.C. remarked, twisting around in the desk chair to make it spin.

"C.C...you remember that day 2 years ago when I confessed to you?" Lelouch asked lowly, looking to the bedside table to find his glasses.

"Yes, why do you ask that now? Are you still in love with me?" C.C. asked, her amber eyes glimmering with confusion. Lelouch almost laughed, she looks concerned. "I just want to know what was wrong with my head then."

C.C. smirked, draping her pigtails over the back of the chair when she rested her head on it to look to her friend. "I should be asking you. I didn't mean to make you feel the way you did, but you got over it pretty quick. You know you've become more like a brother to me."

"Please. Like I need another sister. I've got one hundred already," Lelouch said jokingly, a faint smile on his face. C.C. smiled contentedly. "Come here."

Lelouch uncovered himself and stepped out of the bed, walking over to her. "What do you want, C.C.? Want to make fun of my indecisiveness to my face?"

"Please. We had a moment and you know it," C.C. said, smiling deviously as she watched a small blush creep onto the raven's face. She had to cover her mouth with both hands to prevent the laugh.

"C.C., I repeat, what's so important that I had to leave the comfort of my bed?" Lelouch asked with distaste. It went away when C.C. stared at him upside down and put her hands on his face. "You know, I hardly ever see you without your glasses any more..."

"Is there something you want?" Lelouch asked while glaring. C.C. remained indifferent, or just chose to ignore it. She chuckled and stood up, her back still to him and her head still upside down, and kissed him. He was surprised, if nothing else.

She sat back down as quick as she got up, a satisfied smile on her face. She stared knowingly at her victim, enjoying every second the wide eyes and blush were part of his expression. "There. Now, I things don't work out with Suzaku, you can't say you've only kissed guys. Or just one guy."

Lelouch's blush grew tenfold and he covered his face with one hand. He hadn't thought into that. Up until now, he had only had kissed with a guy. Since no one really questioned it, he didn't think hard about it. But that was so embarrassing. He looked away shyly. "Um...thanks."

"No problem Lulu. I'd do it again, but apparently you're reserved already. Guess I was wrong when I said I couldn't see you that way. A kiss can really change things, can't they?" C.C. asked knowingly, purposely targeting that particular subject because it applied to her companion.

"I will admit," Lelouch started, brushing the hair from his eyes and rubbing them, "It can change a few things."

"Like whether you hate or love the person giving them to you?" C.C. asked in feigned innocence.

"I'd advise you not go there, C.C." Lelouch said with a warning glare. With that, he turned on his heel and walked towards his closet. "I'm taking a shower, then I'm leaving. I have to go to the school."

"I always knew Lulu was in the closet," C.C. said jokingly, pointing to the closet Lelouch was steadily heading towards.

"I want to know why you are still here, in more ways than one. When did you decide to stay in my house anyway?" Lelouch asked, exasperated.

C.C. snickered. "Because. Nunally is home schooled, and because of that, this is my home. Besides, V.V. can handle himself, if he and Mao don't kill each other, anyway."

"Leave it to you to leave your little brother in a house with your stalker," Lelouch remarked, ignoring the rare glare he only got when he implied any relationship besides friendship between her and Mao. Honestly, if she didn't like him, why were they even friends? But then again, he'd have to figure that out for him and C.C. before anyone else.

"V.V. is a capable young man. He doesn't need his older sister taking care of him," C.C. reasoned. Lelouch snickered. "C.C., he's 12."

C.C. huffed. "I told you he's 15 and he's short for his age. You thought I was 17 but you were surprised when I told you I was 20. Tell me, why is it my family throws you off only by 3 years?"

She was already too late. Lelouch had shut the door behind him. C.C. was close to being upset. "Lelouch..."

~BREAK~

"Glad you could make it, Lulu!" Milly said with vigor. "It's time to get into costume. It's a dress rehearsal after all! You only have a few hours."

"All right. I'll go get changed," Lelouch said calmly. He turned on his heel and headed towards the backstage dressing room.

When he got there, he heard faint voices coming from the other side. Someone was in there...He decided to take the Milly approach and put his ear towards the door. "Oh, Euphie, how I've missed you. Did you enjoy the presents?"

Well, now it was obvious who was in there now. His sister and her boyfriend. "Yes, yes! I felt like there were enough to swim in! And you didn't go around my rule! You look refreshed."

"Seeing you can do that to me," Suzaku said lovingly. Lelouch felt like gagging. This was way too romantic for his tastes. He urged his hand toward the doorknob when he heard his name mentioned.

"Oh, and Suzaku? What happened with Lulu? Has he said anything to you about it?" About what, Lelouch wondered. There wasn't anything she was keeping from him that Suzaku knew, was there?

"Him? Yes, there's heavy implication he may be in love with me, but I have no way on knowing. He may be easily infuriated, but he's subtle with his feelings. He does blush every now and then, so one could only guess how deep," Suzaku said, distraught.

They were plotting against him too? Suzaku must have accidentally led her in...Great, now he has to be able to tell everyone he has no feelings...and his contact issues. At the rate that Lelouch tried (emphasis on tried since he knew lots of touchy people) to shy from contact, one would take him for a mysophobic.

"But strangely, I don't mind," Suzaku said contentedly. Lelouch's ear twitched and he leaned more on the door. "That guy has always been hateful toward me. It's good to see him feeling positive towards me. Even if I don't feel the same way, I'm glad he's not afraid to try loving someone not in his family."

Lelouch twitched, but if you looked closely, a smile could be seen on his face. He didn't know whether to take that as an insult or compliment. But it made him strangely feel...calm. All right, what was he on now?

"Should I? If he loves you, he's going to hate me..." Euphie said sadly. She wasn't thinking of breaking up with Suzaku, was she? He didn't want her being lonely just because of feelings they think he has.

"We know you're out there, Lelouch," they called in unison. Lelouch bit his thumb and remained quiet. He heard slight clicking. Before he could take evasive action, the door was yanked open by Euphie, making him fall into the room. He blushed in shame. How could he have been discovered?

"I know what you're thinking, brother. Milly's voice carries pretty far. We heard her say you were here. You didn't hear anything you weren't supposed to," Euphie said, a smile covering any wary emotions she may have had. Despite the fact that they were close family, Lelouch couldn't easily tell when she had something planned. She was, however, a terrible liar. She had to have been telling the truth.

"I'd like not to know what I did hear anymore, but that can't be changed. What do I have to do with your relationship?" Lelouch huffed, remaining on the now comfortable carpeted floor he had so gracelessly fallen on. Suzaku resisted a laugh. "Virtually nothing. At least not to me. What threat could you pose?"

Lelouch blinked in confusion. So they weren't contemplating a break-up just so Lelouch wouldn't hate Euphie for an indeterminable amount of time (Lelouch was good, and I mean good, at holding grudges)? What was that entire conversation about?

"If you don't know," Euphie remarked, "then that's what you get for snooping." Lelouch was starting to think Euphie wasn't as peppy and dense as she appeared. And she gave off a misleading appearance to make one think just that.

"Your so-called boyfriend has tried to dissuade me to be less hateful in more physical ways, and you don't care? What kind of girlfriend are you to not care that your lover has been cavorting around with another male the entire time of your absence?" Lelouch said as calmly as he could, though obviously not working. Lelouch was about as harmless as acid right now.

"You hadn't been actively complaining until now. One would call that a snitch. Just because I know you have feelings for me and neither I nor my girlfriend could give two damns about it doesn't mean you can change it, Lamperouge," Suzaku said haughtily, tone bitter and expression that of cunning.

"Suzaku, be nice. That was uncalled for," Euphie warned softly. Suzaku shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe so. Sorry, Euphie."

"You idiot."

Both Suzaku and Euphie looked to the raven with puzzled looks on their faces. "You are such an idiot," he repeated, more venomous than the last. He balled his fists, clenching them tighter at every passing second. His face showed no anger, but it didn't take a genius to figure it out. "No, I withdraw that somewhat. I'M the idiot. There are so many signs. Gradually enjoying those wretched kisses of yours. Being able to stand being in the same room with you, which I couldn't from day one. Missing your company, though that is quickly fleeting. And to top of this sweetly baked cake, I have a dream."

Euphie took a few steps toward her brother, reaching her hand out to touch his shoulder. She was stopped almost reflexively, his hand catching hers before she even knew it. "A dream! And you know what happened! It told me the ONE thing I can never accept. The one thing I never thought would ever happen. No one did, really. My own mind couldn't process it. But it told me those wretched words. I was in love. How, I asked myself, could I be in love? Much less to some overly compassionate, mentally deficient, sport obsessed, overly trusting, not truly hateful brunette. The one that stand before me. I have reached true insanity. This stupid heart of mine playing tricks and whatnot. Well, I am folding my hand! This game of poker is over, all bets called off, and the final king of hearts played. King of foolish hearts, no less..."

'Does he breathe?' Suzaku asked himself. But there were more obviously pressing matters. "I'm going to get changed. Do NOT speak to me while you are not in character," He did something akin to throwing when he shoved Euphie's hand away, going to the room within the room to change.

Euphie nipped at her fingers in worry. She sighed, a displeased look on her face, and looked to Suzaku finally. "Why is he like this? All I did was try to help. Did I do wrong?"

The two contemplated a better way to go about the situation, not noticing the time passing until Lelouch made his presence known from departing the other room. "Euphie, attach these to my ends. Milly said the hair should be as long as possible, and without this, I'd be suspected."

Euphie wanted to act like she usually would and openly admire the beautiful hair that would soon be in her brother's own and the lavender ribbons that were already attached to the ebony tresses. Seeing as this was far from usual, she did as instructed, not uttering a sound.

Suzaku did not pick up on that same hint. "Hey, Lulu, don't-" The glare he received cut him short. "Not a word."

"Lelouch," the brunette started seriously, "I want to know what you find so wrong about this whole thing. Why is it troubling that you're in love, not including the detail that it's me, but still. Is being in love so bad for you?"

"Shut up, Suzaku," Lelouch practically yelled. "This disgusting fallacy of a relationship–no, I relinquish that and say bond, is going to end the same way it started. You have no further say in the goings on."

Lelouch shot one last threatening glare and stormed away, breaking the last thread of Suzaku's patience. "Lelouch, listen to me!" He lunged out and grabbed the other's wrist, stopping his hasty retreat.

"I want to know why you're-" Suzaku now stopped at the borderline vacant look the other was giving him. "My Lord, what are you doing? Have I done wrong?"

Euphie blinked. Was Lelouch acting in character? There were no lines in that general area anywhere in the play. Euphie chuckled lightly at the thought. Leave it to Lelouch to be so knowledgeable about something, he could make something from nothing of it. She admired his wit most of all her brother's traits.

"Lelouch, do not play dumb. I asked you a question, and I expect you to answer it," Suzaku said, glaring angrily. Lelouch chuckled lightly, almost like...a female. "My Lord, you are mistaken. Your question went unfinished, and it shall go unanswered. You're such a silly man, Lord Shinomura."

"We are not on stage, Lelouch! Stop toying with me!" Suzaku barked, more irritated by the second. 'Can't this bastard just be honest with me FOR ONCE?' he yelled in thought.

"Ah, My Lord. I see the problem. This lateness is getting to you. You've always been a punctual man. That wretch you call a fiancee just lets you kill off time without so much as a regret. The last time was her fault, and I'm sure she held you up once more. You're late for your short address in the square. It's best you hurry," Lelouch concluded, shooing him with a sly look on his face.

Suzaku knew a hopeless case when he saw it, so he politely grabbed Euphie's hand and gestured out the door. "Come on, Euphie. Milly's probably chewing off her fingers by now with anticipation."

Euphie adjusted her costume, a bright orange and yellow kimono that was drooped down to her shoulders and a shining teal obi, and walked at the athlete's pull. She sent back a polite wave and closed the door.

Lelouch put in his contacts and adjusted his vision to the new aid. "Stupid me. My mind is subconsciously dead set on the idea, my heart has no idea what to do, and my body wants to kill everyone responsible." Actually, his body wanted the mind and heart to either agree or fuck off to let it do what it wants, but Lelouch was civilized. He'd never say that. Out loud, anyway.

Lelouch fluttered out his artificial hair, which swept down to past his waistline, and adjusted the cravat-like attachment on the dress to make it convincingly appear to make him a rather well-endowed female. Honestly, if they wanted one of those, they could have chosen Milly or Kallen, but Milly was the narrator and Kallen was Suzaku's character's close-minded and sour but loyal servant. "This is bound to fail. I'm a male, for Christ's sake."

He opened the door and stepped out, closing the door silently behind him.

~BREAK~

"Good luck, Euphie. You ready to put on a good play?" Suzaku asked cheerfully.

Euphie nodded and closed the fan she was required to have. "Yes, but...good luck kiss, please?"

Suzaku tilted her head upwards with his hand and smiled contentedly. "You shouldn't have even asked."

Before they were granted such an opportunity, however, Suzaku was kicked in the side the moment the two's lips had touched. "Hold it, Suzaku Casanova. The only female, which is growing less and less questionable, you're sucking face with is Lamperouge. Keep your lips off your girlfriend for a few hours. Afterwards, I don't give a flying fuck what you do."

Suzaku gave an exaggerated retching sound, although the way she had said it all had made him queasy. "Gosh, Kallen, when you put it that way, it almost makes me never want to kiss again. But seriously, why are you trying to dictate whether I kiss my girlfriend?"

"I don't give a damn whether you do, but not now. This frog isn't turning into a prince by an actual female's hand tonight. Like I said, after this horrific play is over, you can molest her or whatever you two do. You could even fuck the daylights out of 'Yoko' for all the damn I give," Kallen spat rather vulgarly.

Euphie turned as pink as her hair and Suzaku turned a little pink himself. "Kallen! I do not molest Euphie. And that last part isn't even something I'd consider, let alone go on!"

Kallen pulled him back to her by his collar and looked to him disbelievingly from the side. "Don't you act like the thought of Lamperouge getting intimate with you in some way and writhing like a little bitch from the force hadn't even begun to cross your mind."

Suzaku turned white. Other than the fact that she sounded slightly like Viletta had yesterday, Suzaku tried his damned hardest to not put thought into anything Kallen said, much less put stock into it. "Kallen, please, no more."

"There'll be a day you'll get that stubborn bastard to use that three-word line, be it serious or not. You and Lamperouge have a connection, and he knows it," Kallen stated finally, straightening her posture and letting go of Suzaku.

When Kallen left, Suzaku fell to the ground in depression. "That made me uncomfortable," he uttered softly.

Euhpie blushed and pointed her fan at him. "You mean down there?" Suzaku fell on his face, rolling over and looking at her in both embarrassment and mortification. "Euphie, no! Don't tell me you and Kallen have similar interests!"

Euphie rolled her eyes to the side in thought. "I do admit the thought of you together has crossed my mind a time or two..."

Suzaku once again fell on his face to the floor. Euphie shrieked in alarm. "But, but! It wasn't serious, more like a tiny bit above idle chat!"

Suzaku continued to lay on the floor. Maybe this was a nightmare, and he'd wake up in a few minutes. His girlfriend, being Lelouch's sister, pictured the two of them as a couple.

Things could only get worse for Suzaku from here. Especially if Euphie was not opposed to the fact that Lelouch might be in love and was prepared to end it slowly just so her brother could be happy.

Euphie was too nice a person.

His negative train of thought was broken when Milly called out. "Where is he? Where are the both of them, for the record? I need my two mock thugs!"

"Please calm down, Milly," Euphie replied. Milly pinched the bridge of her nose and groaned. She wanted the play to start so she could watch the new relationship.

"Hey, Pres! Sorry we're late!" someone called to Milly. She looked over to see Gino and a boy with blue hair sporting his stage costume. She pouted. "Rivalz, you and Gino better explain where the two of you were."

Rivalz scratched the back of his head nervously. "I can't explain too well. I was just looking for Gino, mostly. Sorry, Pres."

Rivalz always called her Pres because he was also in the Broadcasting Club like Milly. In all actuality, he only joined because he had a really big crush on her. He'd even admit to that, if asked by anyone but Milly. If she'd ask, he'd tell her he was just really interested in the club's goal. But Milly bought it.

The way she dictated Team Matchmaker, you'd think she'd pick up on that obvious crush much sooner. But she still had no idea.

"Oh well, you two are here now. I don't care about the lateness, but if we have another play and either of you are late, you're gonna get it, got me?" she said jokingly.

However, it did not seem Gino had heard her, as he was over messing with a rather pissed male. "Wow, Lulu, I didn't know you were wearing another dress so soon! But you make a convincing girl! And that cravat makes you look like you have boobs, too. You sure you're biologically male?"

"I'll personally make you female in 2 seconds if you don't get out of my face right now, Weinberg," Lelouch growled out. Gino strode back about two feet and waved his hands defensively. "Now we don't need to go there, Lulu."

Lelouch glared behind him, directed towards the three snickering individuals behind him. "Do you three mind?"

Apparently Kallen had returned, deciding to laugh with Suzaku and Euphie, even continuing to laugh when the others' died down to giggles. Lelouch didn't bother trying anymore with her, not only because she wouldn't listen, she'd probably try to hurt him for no reason. He tried to avoid that kind of stuff.

Milly clapped, catching the others' attention as the audience started to file in. "All right guys! I'll be subbing for Mr. Gottwald while he's keeping the crowd under control. Get ready everyone! We've got a play to work on! Everyone get backstage until Mr. Gottwald says otherwise. Please and thank you!"

Everyone did as Milly instructed and she walked off of stage cheerily to go help with the audience.

Meanwhile, behind stage, Euphie was trying to keep Lelouch from even attempting to hurt Suzaku and Gino. She knew her brother well enough to know he wants to hurt the two of them even before they do anything.

It's amazing what could happen in less than a minute.

"I want to kill you two," Lelouch growled, stopping his struggle against Euphie. Suzaku gave him a sly look. "We're stronger than you, Lelouch. What can you do?"

That actually wasn't entirely true. Suzaku just felt like trying his luck. Lelouch just glared harder. "I wish I had something to throw at you."

Gino snickered into his hand. "Suzaku, if he kills you, I will only laugh."

Suzaku put his hands on his hips and glared to his side at Gino. "It once again begs the question 'Why are we friends again?'." Gino laughed and poked Suzaku's cheek. "Don't be like that, Suzy! Smile!"

"I have nothing to smile about. This day hasn't been all that pleasant, and it won't be," he said, pausing to glare at Lelouch, "because of someone that'll remain unnamed. But that aside, should we help them so we can get this over quick? I don't like being on stage."

'Such a thinly-veiled insult. Nowhere near above him, I suppose,' Lelouch thought to himself, watching Rivalz try to reason with Suzaku. "She told us to stay behind."

Suzaku crossed his arms and smiled. "She never listens to us, and I do not propose listening to her."

Gino was way ahead of him, trotting off-stage. "Suits me just fine! I need to find Choco-caramel dude!"

"What?" Rivalz said immediately. Suzaku rubbed his forehead to avoid the oncoming headache that seems to rear its ugly head whenever he had to deal with Gino. "He means Rolo. He insists on calling him that just because his name is also a candy with, you guessed it, chocolate and caramel. His idiocy ceases to amaze me."

Euphie patted his head in hopes of soothing him. When it had not seemed to work, she hugged him as hard as she could. "Suzaku, don't be so mean. We'll start eventually. It seems Gino has it under control. And he's not an idiot, dear."

"I agree with sports-for-brains for once. Weinberg really needs to go find a brain, or get a better one," Kallen interjected.

For reasons not adequately explored, Kallen disliked Gino almost as much as she did Lelouch. He did not seem to get the vibe, flirting and chatting idly with her on multiple occasions. She has sent him home less than unharmed every time, and yet, he always came back. He even had the nerve to try and kiss her once. That particular day, he went to the hospital for multiple broken ribs. He really didn't get it.

"You," Lelouch called suddenly, snapping his fingers in Suzaku's face. Suzaku blinked absently. Was it time to go on already?

Before Suzaku could reply, Lelouch smacked his hand on his face and gripped it. Suzaku jumped slightly, startled. He wanted to voice this, but once again did not get a chance as he was thrown out of the way, almost losing his footing. "Euphie, I need to talk to you."

Euphie shrieked as she watched him tumble and stopped when her brother yanked her. "Lulu, stop abusing my boyfriend!"

Lelouch scoffed. "Whatever. And about that...tell me the truth."

"What truth?" Euphie asked inquistively, a curious look on her face. Her brother sighed.

"Would you have broken up with him just to make me happy? It sounded like that's what you were talking about, and I want to know," he asked seriously.

Euphie smiled innocently. "What if I was, Lulu?" Lelouch made an instinctive move to adjust his glasses, and then realized they weren't there.

"Then I want you to break up with him," he stated, staring seriously at the pink-haired girl.

Euphie gasped lightly. She couldn't believe it. The truth was that she did not say she would break up with Suzaku, she just wouldn't be with him when her brother was. But that's what he wanted, which means...he accepted it! But still, Euphie was conflicted.

"Hello? Did you catch what I said?" he said impatiently, leaning on the wall. Euphie bit her nails.

"I...I won't do it." This caught the other by surprise. He blinked. "What did you say?"

Euphie's eyes started to water, her face reddening. "I said I won't do it! Even if it makes you happy, I won't do it!"

~End Chapter~

If no one did before, I'm pretty sure you guys will hate Euphie now. But don't hate her. I like Euphie, I honestly do, and she and C.C. are the only girls I think could get in-between a relationship between Lulu and Suzy in fanfics.

But do you like me now? It's not very long, I guess, but I'm sure you can't hate me now. Especially after that little confession our little Lulu more or less set us up with.

As I said, I only have 4 days left until school starts again, and I'm going to have my friend over (that also attends that school) for the bigger chunk of those days, so I really don't have much time to invest in my stories, but I will try! Sorry, love you!

In other (random) news, I wear glasses now~ Not that you care.

Nayunari 'Ayu' Tsuki, out! See ya next time.