Because I love you guys, I've decided to start yet another story. This chapter will probably be uploaded with about six other chapters from various stories, since I write stuff and then just leave it for about a month .3. ANYWAY, this will be one of my more...depressing stories...AH, WHAT THE HELL, IT'S HEARTBREAKING. I hate how I manage to plan out these kinds of endings...well, I guess if I write it a certain way, it's not entirely sad and gloomy...I just hope a certain group of fangirls don't read this thing...then I really am screwed...but anyway, enough spoilers and gabbling. Let's get on with this story. No real pairings until the end. This story is more about family, with romance in the background. You'l understand why that is later on. But for now, ladies and gentlemen, I present...'Vocaloid: The Enemy?'

Chapter One: Wish of the Emperor

Kagamine Rin's POV

"Len-kun, Len-kun!" I giggle, jumping onto his back. He staggers for a moment, but then he laughs.

"Hey, Rin-chan," he chuckles. "Good day at school?" Len and I are twins, both aged 15, but where we come from, boys finish school age 14, while the girls continue for two or three more years. Lucky me.

"Be grateful you don't have to go anymore," I groan. Len shrugs.

"Actually. it's just as bad here. Worse, maybe. There's nothing to do. Mama and Papa are always working. In fact, I spent most of my time counting the seconds before you got home. It was the only thing that kept me from dying of boredom." I hop down, and he ruffles my hair.

"Watch the bow!" I warn. Len rolls his eyes.

"You girls and your hair stuff," he groans.

"Excuse me, but my hair is awesome. Don't knock the locks." Len laughs, tugging a strand of my blonde hair.

"If you say so, Rin-chan," he smirks. "I think I overheard Mama talking about cutting it.." I stare at him, eyes wide. "Joke." Oh, thank God. She can't cut my hair. I'd rather cut my throat.

"Rin, Len?" Papa calls, walking into the room. We turn to him, beaming.

"Hi, Papa!" we chorus, waving. He smiles, but it looks forced. I frown.

"Papa? What's wrong?" I ask, puzzled. Mama follows him in, her face pale. "Mama?"

"We have to talk to your brother," she murmurs. "Be a good girl and go wait in the other room, Rin." She's talking to me like I'm a child...and that's a very bad sign.

"But...can't I stay?"

"No."

"But, Mama-"

"Go, Rin! Now!" Papa yells. Tears spring to my eyes, and I glance at Len for help. He looks like he wants to protest, but a sharp glare from Papa and a pleading glance from Mama silences him, and he blinks back at me.

"Go on, Rin-chan...I'll see you in a minute, okay? Don't worry." He tries for a smile, but I stare at him, shocked.

"You're agreeing with them?" I splutter. Len looks away from me, ashamed. Hurt, I storm from the room, thundering up the stairs to our shared bedroom and slamming the door behind me.

Kagamine Len's POV

"You shouldn't have yelled at her," Mama says quietly. Papa sighs.

"She's too stubborn for her own good," he replies gruffly. Both of them turn to me, as if they've only just remembered I'm here.

"Sit down, Len." Mama gestures to the chairs around the kitchen table. I sink into one, resting my head on my hand. Mama and Papa sit opposite.

"So, what's this about?" I ask irritably. "And why can't Rin-chan hear too?"

"Because...this is about you and you alone...your future..." Mama explains, her voice thick as if she's holding back tears. My parents exchange glances, and neither of them speak for a moment. I sigh.

"Would you just tell me already? Jeez, it's not difficult. I mean, it's not as if you're signing my death warrant, is it?" Silence. My eyes widen as I look between them. "Wait...you're not, right?"

"Of course not," Mama reassures me. She takes in a deep breath, sighing. "Y-You see...your father and I received a letter this morning..." She takes out an envelope, sliding it across the table to me. On the back is the royal seal. I frown, taking out the letter, and begin to read.

People of Kyoto,

I am writing to each one of you on behalf of the Emperor. For a long time now, the great warriors of Kyoto have fought against evil. This evil mostly comes in the form of the Karakuri warriors. Led by the notorious Hatsune Miku, these warriors have managed to take on some of Kyoto's most elite soldiers in combat. Many heroes have fallen, and many innocent lives have been lost. Our forces are weaker than before, and we stand no chance should the Karakuri warriors choose to launch any form of surprise attack. This small and secluded group of soldiers never stay in one place for long, and they have been navigating around Japan for many years. This is why I seek the help of the citizens of Kyoto. It is decreed by the Emperor that one man from each family shall take the honour of fighting against the Karakuri warriors as the manji soldiers of Kyoto. Should there be no male older than 14 in any household, that family will be excused. The youngest male (providing he is above 14) must step forward. Any family who refuses to obey the Emperor's wishes will be severely punished. The rolecall for each family will take place at 8AM sharp on the morning of Friday 13th. If any candidate has school or work on that day, they will be excused. The Emperor thanks you for your support.

Megpoid Gumi, Manji,

Sworn to Protect the Emperor

My hands shake, as I slide the letter back into the envelope. I look up slowly at Mama and Papa. "I-I have to go to war?"

"Darling, you know we had no choice..." Mama begins. I slam my fist down onto the table, causing an earsplitting bang that makes us all jump.

"No!" I yell. "I'm not going!"

"But, it's the wish of the Emperor.."

"To Hell with the Emperor!" I reply. Mama covers her mouth, shocked. Papa glares at me.

"Take it back, Len. The Emperor is the one who keeps us all fed."

"Like a pig being fattened up just to be slaughtered," I growl. "We're just cattle for them to push around." Mama sighs, her face in her hands. Papa stares at me, face flushed. I stand up, shoving my chair back. "Well, I've had enough." I head out of the room and up the stairs. I come to a stop outside our bedroom door. From the other side, I can hear little sniffling sounds. "Rin-chan?"

"Go away."

"I need to talk to you."

"Go away."

"I'm gonna stand here until you open the door."

"You do that." I sigh, flopping down with my back against the door.

"They're making me go away, Rin-chan," I whisper, unsure of whether she can hear me. Silence. "Mama and Papa, they're making me go away to war. They got a letter...it's the Emperor's wish, apparently." I laugh without humour, and it's a hollow, empty sound. Suddenly, I hear a quiet rustling on the other side of the door, followed by a soft thump. I can just make out Rin's breathing.

"If this is your idea of a joke to get me to open the door, you can forget it," she mutters, sighing.

"It's not a joke. I mean it, Rin-chan. I'm going away to fight for Kyoto...against the Karakuri warriors-" The door slides open, and she grabs the back of my shirt, dragging me inside. Before I can register what's going on, her thin arms are near choking me, and she's sobbing into my chest.

"Don't go," she whispers. "Please don't go."

"I have to," I reply softly, stroking her tawny hair. "I wish I didn't, but they'll punish you if I refuse."

"I don't care," she mumbles into my shirt. I cup her chin, bringing her head up and forcing her to look at me. Tears trickle down her cheeks, and I wipe them away with my fingers.

"I do." I kiss her forehead. "Don't cry. They're rolecalling at eight, so you can still say goodbye before you go to school." She tightens her grip, hugging me tighter.

"What am I supposed to do if you get hurt...or worse?" she whispers.

"I won't."

"How can you know that?" I look into her big blue eyes.

"I promise you I'll come back in one piece, okay? And I never break my promises." Rin sighs.

"If you die, I'm gonna kill you," she murmurs. She starts rubbing her eyes, yawning.

"Tired?" I ask.

"No..." she mumbles, head already drooping. I have to smile. Slowly, I ease her school clothes off and help her into her PJs, and then lower her into bed gently. Her arms are still around my neck, and I untangle her slowly, pulling the covers up to her chin. She mumbles something as I bend down to kiss her cheek. I'm about to leave when she catches my hand. "Don't leave without saying goodbye, okay?"

"I won't."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Okay...love you, Len-kun..."

"Love you too."

~ Later That Night.. ~

Kagamine Rin's POV

I wait until my parents and Len are asleep before I make my move. I head downstairs on tiptoe, dodging the creaky floorboard, and slip through into the room where Papa keeps his armour from when he was a soldier, long before he met Mama. Being as quiet as I can, I slip into it, testing the fit. It's only a little too big for me, and when I look in the mirror I don't look totally like a little kid playing dress up. There's only one problem. I catch sight of Papa's samurai sword in its sheath by my side. I take out the blade, glimpsing my reflection. In a certain light, I still look like a scared little girl. Then I flip the sword, and the image changes. I'm not a scared little girl anymore. A flick of my wrist, and hair begins to fall to the ground. Tears prick my eyes, and I scold myself for being so petty. More hair. A small pile is building up, and when I run my fingers through, I find that I can easily get away with being a boy. I leave in my clips to keep my bangs out of my face, and when I look at my reflection again, I'm transformed.

I head into our room and kiss Len on the forehead, careful not to wake him up. I place a lock of my hair on the pillow next to him. Then I head into my parents' room. I pick up the letter on the bedside table, replacing it with another lock of hair. "Remember me," I whisper. "I'll be back soon." With that, I head hurriedly down the stairs and out into the yard. I push open the door to the stable, and the black stallion trots towards me obediently. "Shh," I murmur, stroking his silky fur. I hoist myself up onto its back, and take a deep breath. "Ha!" I shout, lifting the reins. The horse jolts into gear, bolting out of the stable. I look over my shoulder at the house, silently praying that Len won't wake up. "I love you," I mumble, blinking away tears. Then I crack the reins, and the black stallion gallops into the night.

Short chapter, but w.e. Told ya it was sad. I'm already loving Rin and Len. Remember the person who sent the letter. She'll be important later (and I don't mean the Emperor). Soo...what will happen next?! Tense times are these. Until next time, people.