Disclaimer: I do not own Code Geass D: That's quite unfortunate, I know.

BTW, there's a bit of swearing in this, and if you're offended, I humbly apologize from the bottom of my heart.

--

"You bitch!"

Lelouch covered Nunnally's ears as they hid in his bedroom. They were on his bed, sitting, and had a blanket over their heads. The lights were all off except for the table lamp next to them.

"Onii-sama…"

"Shh…Nunnally…shh…everything will be alright…"

Even a nine-year-old boy knew that everything was not going to be alright, but what else could he say to his six-year-old sister, who was far too young to be facing such hardships?

"Get away from me!"

"Onii-sama…!" Nunnally whimpered she wrapped her arms around him. He lifted his hands off her ears, seeing it as futile, and instead stroked her thin hair in an effort to try and comfort her.

"Remember that these arguments always end?" Lelouch said, trying to sound nostalgic. "Everybody argues once in a while…"

Nunnally nodded as she leaned against Lelouch's chest. "Why do people argue?"

Lelouch thought for a moment. "That's because…everybody thinks differently. Everybody looks at things differently, and they don't like how other people see it."

"But, if everybody thought differently, and argued all the time about it, why do you and I get along?"

He kept silent, trying to find the words to say.

"That's because you and I are best friends! Maybe mom and dad weren't best friends, and they just liked each other, but they never got to know each other!"

For a young boy, those were some powerful words.

Nunnally turned to Lelouch. "Then, as best friends, promise me we will never, ever, leave each other! I think mommy and daddy will separate, but I don't want to separate from you, onii-sama!"

"But I'll have to get married! I don't want you tagging along in my new home!" Lelouch complained. Nunally giggled, her fears washed away.

"I never knew you wanted to get married, onii-sama!"

"Sh-shut up!" he said, embarrassed.

Smash!

The two siblings spun their heads towards the direction of the door. Lelouch lifted the blankets off his head, and Nunnally did the same. They were kneeling, their heads moving slowly forward…

"Charles! I-"

…and then there was a loud slap.

Nunnally buried herself under the covers again, shaking. Lelouch wanted to comfort the poor girl, but his mother…

Another loud slap.

Lelouch, without a second thought, opened the locked bedroom door and rushed to his mother's aid. Marianne, who just saw her son run out, looked horrified.

"Lelouch, no, get back inside!"

Nunnally, suddenly realizing what her older brother had just done, screamed as he was struck down by their father.

--

Lelouch vi Britannia threw up. He leaned against the bathroom sink and stared at himself in the mirror. He looked terrible, he knew, and he had to fix this look before he left for school the next morning. Perhaps he should call in sick tomorrow. He shook his head at that crazy idea as he turned the right handle of the faucet. He must be going insane, thinking about staying in this hole for a whole day. Ashford Academy was his only refuge in this hell, and he was not going to skip a day in heaven.

He splashed the cold water on his face. He felt the side of his face sting with pain. Reaching to touch the spot, he realized that his arm was bleeding.

Lelouch looked at the medicine cabinet and found some bandage. He started to sterilize the wound on his arm when he heard glass smashing on the floor. He instantly turned towards the door and was about to open it, when he heard more glass shatter. He closed an eye at the sharp sound.

It's been eight years since his mother and Nunnally left. No, they weren't dead. They just suddenly disappeared, without a word, and left Lelouch all alone with his father.

They left him alone.

"LELOUCH!"

He ignored it and continued wrapping his arm with the bandage.

Then, he heard footsteps going up the stairs. Loud, angry footsteps.

He closed his eyes.

"Oh shit…" he muttered as his father started banging on the door.

--

"Lamperouge, Nunnally."

Nunnally, a beautiful teenaged girl with her curly hair tied up into a high ponytail, stood from her chair and walked towards the office. Marianne, who was with her, stayed seated and put her thumb up. Nunnally returned the hand gesture as the door closed behind her.

She was taking an interview for the most prestigious school in the country, Ashford Academy. If all goes well and Nunnally is accepted, Marianne is willing to work as hard as she could to support her. Plus, if they think Nunnally is smart enough, they will give her a scholarship.

She folded her hands, closed her eyes, and bowed her head. She really wanted Nunnally to be able to go to this school – she knew it was her dream. She wanted to fulfil her child's dream.

Suddenly, the image of her nine-year-old popped into her head, and she opened her almost-wet eyes. That's right – Lelouch. What was his dream?

How was he doing?

Where is he now?

Her heart ached. Was it really a wise choice to let him stay with Charles?

--

"Hello, Miss Nunnally Lamperouge. My name is Miss Britton." Nunnally smiled as they shook hands. "Well, let's begin then, shall we?"

Nunnally nodded in agreement as she took a seat across the thin lady. She was looking at her report cards and teacher comments, and her lips seemed to curl up slightly. She placed the reports down, folded her arms, and leaned forward.

"Why do you want to come to Ashford Academy?"

Nunnally was silent for a while – she was thinking. There were many reasons, and she doubted that she had time to list them all.

"All those who have entered Ashford Academy came out as flourishing people who could pursue their dreams. Ashford Academy was like their stepping stone to success, and I believe that it would also be mine. You see, Miss Britton, I wanted to be a psychologist when I was young, and after I've seen what this school offers, I-"

"Miss Lamperouge," Miss Britton interrupted.

Nunnally stopped talking, and she felt afraid and embarrassed. Fortunately, the woman was smiling.

"I do not need to hear you flatter our school. Every applicant has commented greatly on this school, and I know how good this school is, having working here myself. And I can say this, Miss Lamperouge, with one look at your face, I knew that this school could do with another one like you – honest, gentle, a tidy appearance, the ideal Ashford Academy student."

Nunnally could hardly believe her ears.

"I see your grades are always above 90, and that already puts you on the top of the waiting list. Also, seeing that your average is 93, you can automatically apply for a scholarship."

"But, to apply for a scholarship for this school could only mean…"

Miss Britton stood up. "You know, I actually hate interviewing people and putting them on the waiting list when I can already see potential. Welcome to Ashford Academy, Miss Nunnally Lamperouge." She held out her hand. "We expect to see you here, in our uniform, in four months."

--

DUNDUNDUN...kinda.
harhar will the siblings reunite, or will the author be extremely annoying and have them never meet until chapter 34?

Oh yeah...Don't kill me. I, too, hate having to do so much evil to Lelouch. It pains me to see such a bishie suffer D:

Hmm…well how was it? Too boring, too long, too short…etc.

Mild flames, or constructive criticism, is welcome. In fact, just write the constructive criticisms and forget the flames.

Oh, and of course words of encouragement also helps a reader flourish, in my point of view.

And very importantly: should I have Lelouch go with anybody? As in love-relationshiply. I'm against yaoi and incest, so those are out of the question.

Thank you and wait for the next chapter, I guess. :)