A/N: I AM, SO, SO, SOOOO SORRY, YOU GUYS! It's been almost a year since I've updated! I had major writer's block on this story, and I've only recently gotten back into the rhythm of this fic. So please, enjoy my short, explains-nothing chapter.

I apologize ahead of time for OOC-ness.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Schneizel sneered down at the Japanese children. He couldn't believe that his father agreed to let them stay here. Was it out of the kindness of his heart? Ha! He seriously doubted that. Did his father even have a heart? Schneizel shook his head, He was just glad that Lady Marianne had agreed to take them in. He didn't want to be stuck with that Japanese trash.

Lelouch came strolling out of his room, having heard Schneizel's voice. "Could you keep it down? I'm trying to take a…"

His voice trailed away as he took in the sight before him. On the ground, Suzaku was holding a crying Kaguya. Schneizel towered over them. Both of the Japanese sported a bruise upon their left cheeks.

"W-what's going on here? Wha- AH!" Lelouch cried out as Schneizel grabbed his hair harshly.

"You better not say anything, Lelouch," Schneizel snarled. He released his younger brother and walked away.

Lelouch watched as Suzaku stood up and took Kaguya to her room. He came back a few moments later. The two boys just looked at each other.

"Do you think it would be possible for me to see your mother? I would like to speak with her about something," Suzaku asked hesitantly.

Lelouch nodded and lead the way to his mother's private library. He knocked on the door. His mother's voice bid them entrance.

"Hello, boys," She said softly, setting her book down. "Have a seat."

Lelouch and Suzaku sat down upon the couch facing Marianne.

"I wanted to speak to you about something, Lady Marianne."

"Of course, darling," she said, motherly as ever. "Is there something you wanted or needed?"

"Well, I was wondering if Kaguya and I could go home."

"Is something not to your liking, Suzaku? If so, I'm sure we could fix it."

"Oh, no, Lady Marianne. Everything's lovely. It's just…"

Lady Marianne leaned forward and it was then that she noticed the bruise on Suzaku's cheek.

"Oh, Suzaku! What happened?" She gently touched his face. "Did something happen? Is that why you want to go home?" She glanced briefly at Lelouch.

Lelouch opened his mouth to explain but Suzaku interjected. "It is nothing. Everything's fine. Thank you for your time, Lady Marianne." Suzaku stood up and bowed respectfully, then he left.

Marianne's eyes rested on her son. "Do you know what happened, Lelouch?"

The young prince bit his lip and rubbed sore scalp absentmindedly. He didn't want to lie to his mother but if Suzaku wanted her to know, he would have told her himself, right?

"No, mother," he lied, trying to keep his voice steady.

Marianne nodded. "I see. Lelouch, I would like it if you would try to be friends with Suzaku. I think it would be good for both of you. You've never had a friend other than Nunnally and Rolo. You and Suzaku are the same age. I'm sure you'll get along."

Lelouch rolled his eyes. "I don't need any friends."

Marianne stood up and kissed Lelouch on the top of his head. "Trust me, darling, you need friends. The world can be a lonely place. There's no reason to be lonely when you don't have to."

Lelouch wandered down the hall back towards his room. He paused directly in front of his door. From across the hall, he could hear the faint sound of sniffling. Unconsciously, the young prince began drawing closer to Kaguya's room. The door was slightly ajar.

Suzaku sat on the bed, his back resting against the headboard. Kaguya was stretched out, her head propped up on Suzaku's thigh. The young boy stroked his cousin's thick black hair, shushing her cries until they quieted, and the young girl feel into calming sleep.

Purple eyes softened as he took in the scene. Lelouch was amazed at how protective Suzaku was of Kaguya. They were only cousins and yet they seemed to be just as close as Lelouch was with Nunnally and Rolo.

"You can come in, if you want."

The spying young man jumped when a voice called out to him, jarring him from his thoughts. He looked up to see Suzaku's vibrant green eyes staring directly at him. Despite himself, Lelouch blushed. Feeling somewhat chagrined, Lelouch nudged the door further open until he was leaning against the door frame. Neither of the children spoke. They just stood there, listening to Kaguya's soft breathing.

"You didn't tell her what really happened," Suzaku spoke suddenly. "You didn't tell your mother what happened." His tone was very matter-of-fact.

"Did you want me to?" Lelouch asked, feeling uncertain all of a sudden.

Suzaku shook his head, a faint half-smile on his face. "No. I was just wondering why you didn't."

"If you wanted her to know, you would've told her yourself." Lelouch said firmly. Suzaku chuckled at the slight stubbornness in the other boy's voice.

Lelouch stepped further into the room, until he finally sat on the bad next to the Japanese children. "I'm sorry for what my brother did," the prince spoke softly. "With the situation right now between our countries…" he trailed off, unsure of what to say.

"It's not your fault," Suzaku chimed in. "It wasn't like you were the one who hit her." His fingers lightly traced the bruise on his cousin's cheek. "If you had, I probably would've tried to hit you back," the green eyed child smiled wryly.

Lelouch giggled a little before allowing himself to become more serious. "Suzaku," this was the first time he'd spoken the Japanese boy's name. It felt rather nice coming from his lips. "Why didn't you tell mother what really happened?"

"There was no point," Suzaku answered shortly. "It wouldn't have gotten me and Kaguya home any faster."

"You don't want to be here?" Lelouch felt a little hurt at the notion, though he wasn't sure why.

Suzaku sighed, "Don't get me wrong, Lelouch: you and your mother, brother, and sister all seem very nice. But Japan is my home. My family's there; my friends are there. So for me to suddenly be here, away from everyone I love…it's…hard."

"I'm sorry, Suzaku. I didn't think about it that way."

"It's okay."

They fell into a gentle silence. Lelouch leaned back onto the bed as well. His head landed next to Suzaku's hand, and he could feel the tips of those tanned fingers brushing against his hair. Lelouch yawned, suddenly sleepy. The prince glanced up through his lashes to peek at Suzaku. Suzaku's head rested against the headboard, and he snored softly. Lelouch felt a smile come to his face as he allowed Suzaku and Kaguya's breathing to lull him into a peaceful slumber.

A/N: Soo, that's was all fluffy and cute…at the end. I was going to explain the whole evil Schneizel thing, but that got put off to the side. Hopefully, I'll get around to explaining that in the next chapter.

So, I've planned for this story to be 7 chapters long, more or less. Obviously, the next few chapters will be MUCH longer than this one. I want to thank the people who are sticking with this story! It means a lot to me. Please REVIEW and I will see you guys again in the next chapter of Darkened Love! (Which will probably be getting its title changed soon)