A/N: Hello everyone! This is BlAcKmIkUlOuCh18 for my very first fanfic. Yes, my first fanfic! I have been lurking around reading fanfics. So, a struck of lightning gave me an inspiration for this (actually it was pictures). I'm very anxious for this one since I'm a newb so I would really appreciate it if you ever point out errors, give criticisms, comments and suggestion since this fic will serve as a steping stone for me. Though, please no flames, 'kay! :3
Disclaimers: I don't own Code Geass and any of its characters. Everything in the show is respectfully owned by Sunrise and CLAMP.
Alright! On with the story!
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Chapter I
The alarm clock went off as expected at six. It's loud, annoying ring reverberated the quiet room. Normally, Suzaku would wake up and arrange his bed. But today, he's tired, very tired of it every day.
His sleepy hand groped for the offending clock. After for a few tries, he was able to grasp the object and hit the snooze to shut it up. Then, he threw the clock across the room. The loud ringing stopped as it was hurled into the wall.
Suzaku peeked through the blanket and glared. " Five more minutes," he mumbled and went back to sleep.
After few moments have passed, his blissful slumber was disturbed by three knocks on the door. Suzaku opened an eye and huffed in annoyance.
"Who is it?"
"It's me Suzaku. Time to wake up."
Suzaku recognized the owner of that deep, stern voice and quickly stood up. "H-hold on! J-just a minute!" Suzaku nearly yelled as he hastily arranged his bed.
"You have one minute!" The voiced warned, clearly impatient. Suzaku patted his hakama for creases and ran a through his unruly brown curls. He took a quick look in the mirror and was satisfied with his look.
"Please come in," Suzaku called out politely. The door opened and a tall man in dark hakama entered into his room. He narrowed his eyes on the boy in front of him. Suzaku kept his head low, trying to avoid the man's gaze and gulped. Is he getting an earful? He hopes not.
The man made a short inspection of the room and on Suzaku then sighed, closing his eyes. "Let's go, your father is waiting downstairs." He said as he turned back.
"Y-yes, Tohdoh-sensei..." Suzaku replied and followed quietly.
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"I'll be leaving this morning for an important meeting in Osaka," Prime Minister Kururugi Genbu announced as his gaze fixed on his son.
" At Osaka, father?" Suzaku clarified. Was the tension in sakuradite mining getting worst? Did the Britannians disagree with our terms? Greedy pigs.
The prime minister finished his breakfast and stood up, "I want you to behave well when I am not around, Suzaku. I don't want to hear any problems and complaints from your tutors and Tohdoh. Do you understand?"
"Yes, father," Suzaku replied while looking down. Of all things, he hates the feeling of powerlessness. But he couldn't help it when it comes to his father. He was plain strict, ruthless and cold.
"By the way, fa-"
"I have no time for this Suzaku, this is urgent!" His father interrupted and left the dining quickly, leaving a frustrated Suzaku behind. I just wanted to ask when are you coming back! What's wrong with it anyway?
Suzaku huffed and stared at his meal. His appetite soured from the exchange a while ago. He'll never understand his father.
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"Again!"
Suzaku stood up, feeling woozy and lightheaded. "Y-yes, T-tohdoh-sensei.."
"For the umpteenth time, always put your weight on your left foot to gain balance!" Tohdoh said with clear frustration. "Was that hard to understand?" He added, his voice softening as he did (Suzaku guessed that he's tired).
Well, I'm sorry if I can't! My left foot was painful from the last training! But he chose to shut up and catch his breath. His eyes were glued to the floor, trying to avoid the eyes of his trainer.
Tohdoh sighed as he looked at Suzaku. I must have pushed too far, he thought and closed his eyes for a moment and sighed again. "Alright, that's enough for now. Let's take a break." Tohdoh decided.
"No! Tohdoh-sensei, I still want to continue! I haven't mastered the ski-"
Tohdoh raised his hand which made Suzaku stop. "Suzaku," Tohdoh kneeled down and continued, "do you remember the first thing I taught you?"
What?
Suzaku took a moment before answering, "Um... patience?"
"Yes, now go take your break. Be back after lunch, do you get me?" Tohdoh replied as he laid his hand on Suzaku's shoulder.
"Of course... Tohdoh-sensei."
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"Dammit," Suzaku muttered as he threw a pebble in the koi pond. He sighed for like the tenth time while contemplating whether he can learn the new move or not. If he can complete the move, then there would be something to brag with; he's bad with academics, I can't and will never understand them.. But if he can't, then...
He could still vividly remember the incident in the prime minister's office. He could still see the mixture of disappointment and rage in his father's cold eyes. He could hear each ringing slap, each angry, mocking words...
He decided never to set foot on that accursed office. But he couldn't help it... he couldn't meet his expectations... It made his blood boil with rage.
Suzaku sighed again and stood up. Just forget it, Suzaku. Ugh, I need to clear my thoughts before coming back. He pondered until an idea popped in. It's been a while, has it?
And so, the boy left the pond, heading towards the secluded part of the Kururugi estate. He passed through the bath house (females are really distracting...), some sleeping and oblivious guards, tricked few of them and trekked the forest. After crossing a fairly rocky brook, he was greeted with the sight of an old, dilapidated storehouse.
The storehouse has been Suzaku's playground as long as he remembered. It reminded him that he was still a child with a happy childhood. It reminded him that he doesn't have an oppressive father who is under the guise of a prime minister grooming his son for the future. Right now, he's not Kururugi Suzaku, the heir of Japan, but just Suzaku, a nine-year old boy.
Suzaku went inside breathed deeply. Oh, how I loved the scent of freedom. He climbed upstairs and looked for his favorite toy chest. After circling the whole upper floor for a few times, he found what he's looking for. He opened the chest with utmost reverence and was glad to see his toys in good condition. He was worried when he threw his toys in a tantrum fit because his father discovered that he was up late playing video games. He confiscated his game consoles, changed the curfew time to nine and let his tutors give him tons of homework as a punishment.
He took his favorite action figures and thought which adventure will he, rather they, play next. The space adventure was nice and so is the underwater one too. He wanted to try them both again, but he wanted to try something new.
"Alright, Antartic adventure it is!" He exclaimed as he took more toys. A few seconds later...
CRASH!
!?
Suzaku froze, his hand tightened on the pink octopus plush. His instincts kicked in and took a fighting stance.
"Who's there!?" Suzaku yelled, yet no one replied. Was that an assassin? He cautiously and silently moved around the shelves and antiques. He checked the corners for possible ambush. Was this a prank or something serious? He needs to know.
Heh, if that's an assassin, I'm going to break his precious neck. He smirked inwardly. "Come on... where are you hiding bastard?" He added in a whisper.
After checking the third shelf, Suzaku heard another crash, this time louder and definitely nearer. It's back on this shelf, alright, an ambush could suffice, I'm going to kick him hard that he'd passed out. Hey! I know. Let's try the new move Tohdoh-sensei taught!
... But we haven't mastered it yet... His doubtful side arises. Can you really do it?
Suzaku gulped. I... come on Suzaku! Man up! I can do this!
He moved towards the back of the fourth shelf, careful not to startle the intruder. He positioned himself on the corner and spied his target. It was dark, but nevertheless, it (he is not sure if it's a she or a he, judging the silhouette) seems to move, rather stumbled, closer to Suzaku.
PERFECT!
Suzaku jumped and cried out a battle call. He whirled around then kicked the intruder's pelvis, but his leg met nothing but air and then he crashed to the nearby crates.
"Ow," he groaned, "my back hurts like hell.."
He tried to get up, worsening the pain in the process and failed. He cursed before trying to get up again, flailing as he did it. Suzaku tried again for a few times, then he gave up. Oh well, looks like I'm going to die here...
Suddenly, a hand came out of nowhere. "Need a hand, Suzaku?"
Suzaku's eyes widened at the stranger. He was dazed and confused at the same time that he didn't realize he was hauled up.
"Are you okay... hey, can you hear me?"
"W-what!" Suzaku blurted out. "W-what are you doing here!? W-who are you!? How did you even get here!? Are you an assassin!? Are you here to kill-"
"I don't know," came a straight answer. Then, the stranger shrugged. "I just woke up... I.. all I remember was darkness..." He continued, his voice wavered. The stranger quickly straightened. "Anyway-"
Whatever the stranger was saying was cut off due to a another battle cry courtesy from Suzaku who was raising his fist towards him. Then again, it went through the stranger's body and Suzaku fell face first.
"Y-you.." Suzaku stammered as he gets up and moved away from the stranger. He still couldn't him because it was all dark. "A-are y-you a-a ghost?"
Suzaku can hear the stranger... ghost sigh. It moved forward, somehow stepping out of the dark (It was then Suzaku realized that he was near a small window which permitted ample light to come in). The boy was shocked to see the ghost's appearance. He (I guess?) has a pale complexion; straight, black hair (they look soft to touch); and a pair of striking purple for his eyes.
... For a moment he was mesmerized...
Wait, what?
The ghost smirked, his eyes boring to the boy's.
"And what if I am? What will you do Suzaku?"
A scream was clogged in the boy's throat, threatening to spill out. For the first time in his life, he has never been this afraid as before.