Princess of the Other World

by Lullaby121

Miku is a normal girl. She enjoys school and spending time with her friends. At least until visions of another world invade her dreams and the real world. It is a MikuXKaito story

1. Chapter 1

Miku sat up and opened her eyes. She shook her head, "It was just a dream…a really bad one." She remembered the shadows flitting across a red landscape. She remembered the only thing that had color beyond that. It had been a boy that had beautiful blue eyes and blue hair. She shuddered. He had caressed her face and stared into her eyes. Then his eyes had turned a hungry red and he had attacked her revealing snake-like fangs. She hugged herself and rocked back and forth. I still have a couple of hours until I have to wake up. Then I can go to school and forget this dream! She nodded and laid back down but she couldn't fall back asleep. She laid awake for the two hours it took for her alarm to go off. She sat up and turned it off. She jumped out of her bed and put on her favorite crystal blue dress. She darted down the stairs.

"Hey little one," her brother smirked at the indignant look she gave him, "excited much?"

"Yes," Miku nodded, "Being homeschooled was boring."

Mikuo chuckled, "If you say, Sis." At least you got homeschooled. I've been getting up at terrible times of day to go to school all my life. You got to do school on your time. At first I hated you for the attention you got. Then I realized just how sheltered you were. I'm a big brother. It's my job to protect you. It's harder now that we go to different schools but I'm still going to do it.

Miku waved her hand in front of his face, "Hey, we're gonna be late."

"Why don't you get a ride with Rin and Len?" Mikuo asked in over exaggerated exasperation.

"Because you're my big brother," Miku looked up at him sweetly.

Mikuo stared down at her. After a moment's pause he said, "Fine. I'll give you a ride today."

Miku smiled, "Thank you!" She skipped out the door.

"You really should start walking though," Mikuo followed, "I mean eventually I'm not gonna be here to give you a ride."

"Okay, I'll start walking tomorrow," Miku nodded.

"Alright," Mikuo smirked, "Promise?"

Miku nodded, "Tomorrow I walk. I promise."

Mikuo smiled and nodded. He got into the driver's seat and looked at her, "Just don't be afraid to ask me if you really need it."

Miku nodded. I'm a big girl now. I'll be fine walking. I just enjoy the ride more. She watched the buildings fly by as her brother drove past them. When she had been homeschooled she had befriended the neighbor's twins, Rin and Len, and their babysitter, Luka. Luka was in the same school as her brother though she was a year older. Miku was a year older than Rin and Len and went to their school.

Her brother stopped the car, "Have fun. You're going to have to walk home though. I've got to stay after today."

Miku nodded, "Alright." She climbed out of the car and ran over to Rin and Len, "Hey guys!"

"Miku!" Rin smiled and Len jumped up into the air and waved. Rin grabbed her right hand and Len grabbed her left. Len smiled, "C'mon! We've got first class together."

"Neru says that there's a new boy too!" Rin added excitedly.

Miku smiled, "Cool!" She followed her friends into their world history class.

"Everyone, this is our new student," the teacher, Mr. Tachibana said.

Miku looked away from the window. Her eyes widened. She saw bright beautiful blue eyes. His blue hair fell a little into his face and seemed to tickle his nose. He didn't seem to notice. His piercing blue eyes scanned the classroom. They lingered on Miku before moving on. Miku swallowed. That's exactly the boy from my dream! Why is this happening? How did he get here? I thought dreams were just…dreams. She glanced at the empty seat next to her. It's the only empty seat in the classroom! That means he's going to sit next to me!

"His name is Kaito," Mr. Tachibana introduced him.

Kaito smiled.

"You can sit next to Miku," the teacher nodded, "Miku raise your hand."

Miku jumped, "Um." She raised her hand into the air.

Kaito nodded and walked over to the empty seat.

Teto smiled, "Hey, uh, Kaito right?"

Kaito nodded and smiled charmingly at her, "Yes. What's your name?"

Teto's eyes widened in surprise, "I'm Teto."

Kaito nodded, "That's a pretty name. Teto."

Teto turned red, "Um, well. It's not really all that special."

Len sat in front of Miku. He tipped his head back and rolled his eyes so she could see it.

Miku choked back a laugh and coughed.

Kaito glanced at her, "What about you? You're Miku but that's all I know."

Miku jumped and looked at him, "Um."

Kaito looked into her eyes. She's afraid of me. Why? I haven't even been here thirty minutes. I haven't done anything to make her afraid of me.

"I'm just Miku," Miku shrugged tensely.

"Okay," Kaito nodded. Let's try a different approach. "What do you like to do in your spare time?"

Miku shrugged, "Well—"

"Why do you care?" Len asked coldly.

Kaito didn't spare the blonde a glance. "Well?" He prompted Miku.

Len narrowed his eyes.

Miku swallowed, "Well, I like to sing."

Kaito nodded and turned back to Teto.

Miku glanced at Len uneasily.

Len rolled his eyes.

Miku smiled.

Kaito smiled at Teto, "What do you like to do in your spare time?"

"Well, I play clarinet," Teto smiled proudly, "and I'm really good."

Kaito smiled, "I want to hear it sometime."

Len growled. "He's such a flirt," he muttered under his breath.

Miku shook her head.

"Kaito," the teacher said.

Kaito turned, "Yes, Sir?"

"Stop talking and pay attention please."

Kaito nodded, "Of course. I apologize." He winked at Teto, "I still want to know but we'll talk again sometime later."

Teto nodded. She turned to Gumi who sat beside her and smiled giddily.

Gumi laughed.

Miku glanced at Kaito uneasily.

Kaito looked at her out of the corner of his eye. Why is she so tense? I haven't even done anything except talk to her. He shook his head.

"Please discuss this with the person sitting next to you," the teacher ordered.

Kaito turned to Miku, "What do you think?"

She jumped and glanced at him before looking down at her paper, "Well, I think that the feudal system wouldn't really be beneficial if it was put in place now. I don't think it would work."

Kaito nodded, "Okay. That makes sense."

Miku was the first one out of the class when the bell rang.

Rin and Len hurried out after her.

"See you Miku," Kaito winked as he walked past.

Len glared after him, "He is annoying. He's toying with every single girl in that class just by looking at them."

"Not me," Rin put her hands on her hips.

Len sighed, "Yeah." He looked at Miku worriedly, "Are you okay? You seemed afraid of him. You jumped every time he talked to you."

"Yeah," Miku smiled, "I just didn't expect him to talk to me."

Len nodded but didn't look convinced.

The day went by uneventfully. Kaito was also in her last class which was PE.

Miku's eyes widened. He's in here too? She swallowed nervously.

They were doing baseball.

"Since we have an even number of students now," Mrs. Kamiya smiled, "Kaito can work with Miku now."

Miku sighed, "Alright."

Kaito nodded.

"You'll be practicing batting and pitching. Start with one person pitching and another batting and then switch."

"I'll bat," Miku grabbed it and hurried to the far right side of the field.

Kaito followed, "Why are we all the way over here?"

"You'll see," Miku said vaguely.

"Pitcher also catches the ball."

Miku nodded, "You can pitch whenever."

Kaito nodded. He threw the ball.

She hit it hard and it went flying to the left side of the field.

Kaito nodded, "Alright. That makes sense." Damn she's good. He jogged after it but didn't bother trying to catch it. That would require a lot of sprinting I really don't want to do right now. He shrugged.

"Kaito! Hurry it up!" Mrs. Kamiya shouted.

Kaito nodded and picked up his pace to a steady run. He grabbed the ball and hurried back to Miku.

"Sorry," Miku didn't look at him.

"It was a nice hit. I'd hate to play against you in a game," Kaito smiled.

Miku nodded dully.

Kaito sighed. She is definitely different. Usually a girl would be pleased that I complimented them. She doesn't make any sense to me. I haven't done anything and she's afraid of me. I've tried being friendly and she's still afraid of me.

Miku waited patiently for him to throw the ball.

Kaito realized he was just standing there when the teacher patted him on the shoulder. He turned, "Right sorry."

"You need to speak up Hatsune!" The teacher called.

Miku nodded.

"Mrs., don't be harsh on her," Kaito insisted.

"She still needs to speak up for herself," the teacher nodded, "pitch."

Kaito nodded. He turned back to Miku and threw the ball.

She hit it but not as hard as the first time.

Kaito sighed in disappointment but wasn't going to say anything. They did that for the rest of class.

Miku hurried outside.

Rin and Len skipped up to her excitedly, "Luka's giving us a ride. Do you want one?"

Miku glanced at them, "Well, I—"

Rin and Len grabbed her hands, "Yes you do!" They dragged her to the grey civic sitting in front of the school.

Kaito watched her climb into the car after the twins. She's so confusing. It's annoying. She doesn't make any sense to me.

"Kaito!"

Kaito turned to see Gumi walking up. He smiled charmingly, "What can I do for you?"

Miku smiled, "Thanks Luka."

Luka nodded, "Any time."

Miku walked in and set her backpack down, "Hey, Mikuo's not home huh?"

Her mother shook her head, "What do you need Miku? How was school?"

"School was fine. There's a new kid but he's getting along with everyone fine," Miku smiled happily.

"Well that's good," her mother wrapped her in a large hug, "help me with dinner."

Miku nodded, "Okay! What are we having?"

"Vegetable soup."

"Yay!" Miku laughed. Mikuo isn't going to appreciate it but that's okay.

After dinner Miku went to her room. She was exhausted. She changed into her pajamas and curled up under her pillows. She closed her eyes. It seemed like a blink and she was in a world with black wispy shadows where everything else was red. The ground she walked on was rose red and the rain falling from the sky was the color of blood. Not here again! I don't want to be in this place! Miku shook her head and backed away, "I don't like it here!" She looked at the ground as tears welled to her eyes. No, I don't belong here. I don't like it here. I need to wake up. Please! PLEASE! I need to wake up!

"Miku," a familiar voice said.

Miku's eyes flew open to red ground. She looked up and saw Kaito. She shook her head.

"What's wrong?" Kaito asked in concern. He stepped forward, "Why are you crying? Please don't cry. It makes my heart ache when you cry."

Miku shook her head and backed away, "I'm scared. I'm so scared. I need to wake up." She tripped over a rock and fell backwards into a pit.

Kaito stood at the edge of the pit. His blue eyes turned red and he sneered, "Good-bye Miku."

Miku screamed and sat up. She looked around. She was sitting on her bed in her room. Her blankets where splayed over her bed hinting that she had been moving around in her sleep. Her door flew open. She jumped and squeaked and looked at her door.

Mikuo walked into the room, "Are you alright?"

Miku nodded, "I'm fine. It was just a dream."

Her brother sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

Miku started to cry, "I'm scared. I'm so scared."

Mikuo sighed, "It's fine. It was just a dream. It wasn't real."

What if it is? I had a similar dream last night. Miku nodded. "It was just a dream," she repeated almost robotically.

"Are you good to be on your own?" Mikuo asked worriedly, "Or do you want me to stay in here until you fall back asleep?"

"I'm okay," Miku nodded. She smiled, "You can go back to your room."

He nodded, "Come get me if you need anything alright?"

Miku nodded.

He left, closing the door quietly behind him.

Miku pulled her knees close to her chest. What if they aren't just dreams? Why is it always Kaito? Even before I met him it was him. She sat up suddenly and the world around her faded back into the red world. Why?! Why is it like this? I thought I was awake! Was that all a dream? Is my life just a dream?

"Ah, aren't you the cutest?" a frightening voice hissed in her ear. It's voice slightly resembled her own.

Miku froze. She slowly turned and looked over her shoulder. She saw a shadowy copy of her. Halfway down its legs it dissolved into wisps. It floated above the ground behind her. "Aren't you tired?" it cocked its head to the side and smiled the way she did.

Miku stared at it, "I can't sleep. I couldn't if I wanted to."

"Oh really?" It floated towards her.

Miku backed away, "Please leave me alone! I don't want you here."

"Whoever said I cared?" its shape faded and it shot towards it. Miku felt icy cold fangs slide easily into the flesh of her neck. She screamed and jerked away from it.

"Miku!" Her brother sat over her.

Miku sat up and stared around. She had been lying on her floor before she had sat up. She glanced at him, "What time is it?"

"It's almost time to leave for school," he said. He looked worried but didn't say anything.

Miku nodded.

He left, "Hurry up. I'll give you a ride today."

She nodded again. Once the door closed behind him she threw on a t-shirt and a pair of pants. She put on her favorite slip on boots and grabbed her brush before hurrying downstairs. She grabbed her backpack and went out to her brother's car. It was on and he was waiting in the driver's seat, "Do you want to stay home?"

Miku shook her head, "I'm fine." She sat in the back and brushed her hair.

"Your hair's down today!" Rin said excitedly.

Miku nodded.

"It's really long," Len commented.

"Can I braid it!" Rin cried.

"I call the left side!" Len said.

"Okay." The two of them started braiding her hair.

"Do you have hair ties?" Rin asked.

Miku handed each of them one and they wrapped the tips of her hair in them.

"There! Now your hair's braided!" Rin grinned.

Len nodded, "It's still long though. How do you not sit on it?"

"I do," Miku shrugged, "It's just long enough that it doesn't pull on my head."

Len cocked his head to the side, "Okay."

The bell rang for the beginning of class.

"Your hair's braided?" Kaito asked curiously.

Miku turned in surprise. Her eyes widened, "Um, yeah."

And…she's still afraid of me. Kaito sighed, "So...I like it."

Miku nodded, "Thanks." She sat down.

Len glanced at her, "You really do sit on your hair. And it doesn't hurt?"

Kaito rolled his eyes.

Miku shook her head.

Len ignored Kaito, "Wow." He turned back to the board in the front of the class.

Kaito watched Miku from the corner of his eyes. She does look cute with braids. She is annoyingly confusing though. I don't like it.

"Hey."

Kaito turned.

Teto pointed to Meiko.

"Meet me after class," Meiko said.

Kaito nodded.

He glanced at Miku but she seemed to be ignoring him.

Miku stared out the window. Her dream was still on her mind. She sighed. That was really scary. I thought I was awake. Mikuo looked worried. He even asked if I wanted to stay home.

"Miku," Len whispered.

Miku turned to him, "Yeah?"

"You seem really distant today," Len observed, "Are you okay?"

"I just didn't sleep well last night," Miku smiled.

Len nodded, "Okay."

Kaito cocked his head to the side. Okay that was a lie. That was an obvious lie. He glanced at her. He could see why Len was concerned. She was staring blankly out the window like she didn't see anything outside of it. He rolled his eyes and turned away.

Miku stared at the paper in front of her. A test? She looked up at the teacher in confusion.

"The class wasn't paying attention so we're having a pop quiz on what I covered today."

Miku's eyes widened. But I wasn't paying attention either! She nodded calmly, "Okay." She finished her test quickly and turned it in. The bell rang and Miku shot out the door.

Rin and Len caught up to her quickly, "Hey! You want us to do something different with your hair?"

Miku laughed and shook her head, "I'm fine. I like it like this actually."

"Yay!" the twins exchanged a high five.

Miku laughed. She stiffened suddenly and looked around. She saw traces of the red world around her. Shadows flowed past her like a river. She saw a shadow lodged onto one of the teacher's backs. She watched the teacher yawn.

"Man, I'm already tired and it's not even second hour," the teacher complained.

Miku stared at the shadow thing. So they aren't just tormenting me but I can see them. I'm so confused.

"Miku!" Rin's voice finally cut through to Miku.

Miku jumped and looked down at her blond haired friend, "Yeah? Sorry."

"Do you want to go home? You're really out of it today," Len asked.

"I mean Luka's school doesn't start for another twenty minutes," Rin added.

"I'm sure she'll be able to give you a ride home if you need it," Len finished.

"I'm okay," Miku said, "I can get through the day. Though once I get home I'm taking a nap."

Mikuo walked into his school building. He saw his three closest friends waiting for him by the office, "Hey guys!" He jogged up to them.

"How's Miku?" Luka asked.

"I'm worried," Mikuo glanced around.

"What's wrong?" Akaito asked. He had just been there a few days but he was already getting along fine with them.

"First she had this nightmare that left her a mess," Mikuo explained, "but after a little while she said she was fine. I went back to my room and I didn't hear her alarm go off. I wasn't sure if she had turned it on so I went to check on her. She was lying on her floor with her eyes wide open except instead of her normal eyes they were eclipsed. I don't know what that means. The first few times I tried to get her attention she didn't seem to hear me. She screamed and then her eyes went back to normal."

"That's weird," Akaito nodded.

"There was a story of other dimensions," Gakupo suggested, "and a girl that could see through the gates that led to those dimensions."

"But those are just stories," Mikuo insisted.

Gakupo shrugged, "It's the closest thing I can think of. I know that they're just stories but it's the only thing that comes even close to what you're describing with your sister."

Mikuo swallowed uneasily.

Akaito shook his head, "We can worry later. Don't fret about it. I'm sure things will sort themselves out. For now we have to get to class."

Mikuo sat in chemistry watching the birds fly outside the window. I really hope she's okay. The girl in the story was killed because the populace believed she was a demon. I'd like to think we've grown beyond that but I don't think it would take much to create hysteria. He shook his head and tried to focus on class.

"Miku," Rin asked worriedly.

Miku smiled, "I'm gonna walk home and clear my head."

The twins nodded and climbed into the car.

Miku ended up walking to the park. She sat on a bench and listened to the birds sing. It's such a simple yet pretty song. I wish my life could be simple but these dreams are really scaring me. She smiled. Just forget about your worries for a while. The dreams will go away. You're just stressed. She closed her eyes and let the warmth of the sun soak into her skin. She fell asleep and returned to the red world. "What? No not again!" Miku sat on the ground dramatically and crossed her arms over her chest. I refuse to move until I wake up back at the park.

"Miku," Kaito smiled and sat next to her.

Miku didn't spare him a glance. She glared ahead of her.

"Miku," Kaito touched her cheek with his fingers, "How are you?"

Miku didn't respond.

"I'll take that as fine?" Kaito asked curiously. He let his hand fall away from her face.

Miku ignored him to the best of her ability. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

Kaito smiled, noticing her look, "Are you enjoying the birds singing?"

Miku turned to look at him in shock, "You can hear them?"

"I can," he nodded. He reached his hand out and cupped it around her chin.

"But this is a dream," Miku said in shock.

"So?" Kaito chuckled, "Does that mean that I automatically can't hear the birds?"

Miku pulled away from him.

"Miku?" Kaito cocked his head to the side.

"Every time I've seen you here you've hurt me and scared me," Miku pulled her knees up close to her chest. I want to wake up. I want to wake up. I need to wake up.

Kaito sighed, "What if it isn't a dream?"

Miku cringed at the sadness in his voice.

"Then wouldn't you be sad to see me go?" Kaito asked.

Miku turned to face him, "I—"

He met her gaze, "Would you?"

Miku found herself speechless, "I don't know."

Kaito pulled her close to him and hugged her.

Miku's eyes widened. Wait! What? But he's not even real. This is a dream. Why does he feel so solid then? And warm? She squeezed her eyes shut. I want to wake up now.

Kaito smirked, "You really are silly Miku. You're so easy to fool." He ran his fingers through her hair undoing the braids, "And you really are pretty."

Miku froze. She pulled away quickly.

"I find your resolve to not move at all inspiring," his eyes were back to that red they had changed to the first time she'd seen him.

Miku swallowed nervously, "Inspiring?" She cringed away from him.

He nodded, "Inspiring. I hope your fall last time didn't hurt?" He smirked.

Miku scooted away from him, "No. It didn't." He's really scaring me. I don't like that color.

He smirked, "Then hopefully this won't hurt either." He shot forward. The fangs from previously were bared.

Miku flinched and opened her eyes.

"Good morning," Mikuo said.

"It's obviously evening," Miku muttered. She sat up and glared up at her brother.

"My apologies for mixing up the time of day," he smiled and looked up at the sky, "but if you get it at the right time sunset can look like sunrise."

Miku looked at him, unimpressed.

"Alright, alright," Mikuo laughed and sat next to her, "Mom and Dad are worried though. We should probably head home."

Miku nodded. He attacked me. He attacked me again after talking to me. It was weird. When he hugged me it felt safe at first. It was only once he started undoing the braids that it didn't. She pulled her hair over her shoulder to see it was unbraided. She looked at her brother, "Did you unbraid my hair while I was asleep?"

Mikuo glanced at her, "It was braided?"

Miku stared at him, "You mean when you got there it wasn't braided?"

Mikuo shook his head, "No. Did someone braid it for you?"

"Rin and Len did," Miku nodded.

"They can braid?" Mikuo asked in surprise.

Miku shrugged, "Apparently. I didn't know until this morning. Those two divide everything in half. They divided my hair into two braids so they could each braid one half of it."

Mikuo chuckled, "I'm sure they fight over some things."

Miku shrugged, "Maybe but even then they agree on more things than they fight over."

"I will give you that," Mikuo nodded. Why was she so worried about her hair not being braided? Don't braids undo themselves eventually?

Miku skipped into the house and sat at the table as their mother was just setting it for dinner. She finished eating and went up to her room. He unbraided my hair. What if it really isn't a dream? Then is that Kaito and the one at school is just a face he wears? He's scary. I don't want to see him again but why am I so tired. Whenever I fall asleep I go back there and he is there. Miku closed her eyes and fell asleep.

"Hello Miku," Kaito leaned against a rock in front of her. She came up to his chin when he stood straight and his lips or nose when he was leaning. His eyes were blue brighter than the sky.

Miku shook her head, "Why do I come here every time I fall asleep? Why is this happening to me?"

"You've always been able to see this place," Kaito explained helpfully.

"But then how come I don't remember it?"

"You were homeschooled most of your life," Kaito slid his hand under her chin and lifted it so he could look into her eyes, "and your interaction with others was minimal. In your own little world everyone loved you. The neighbor twins, your annoyingly protective parents and brother wouldn't let you go to real school until you begged on your knees. Once you got to real school you realized just how small your world is. Sure everyone still loves you but there are those that don't care either way. Knowing this has caused turmoil in your subconscious mind allowing you to see more than mere glimpses of this place."

Miku stared at him, "But I don't even remember glimpses."

"Of course not," Kaito smiled and ran his hand down the side of her face, "what you saw was so alien and so frightening and contradictory to your utopia that your mind blocked it out and eventually forgot it completely."

Miku cocked her head to the side. Why does he do that? He still scares me even when he does that. It just makes me uncomfortable. "Okay, so then why are you so helpful one moment then so," she paused, "confrontational the next."

"Hmm," Kaito chuckled, "I think you can answer that." He leaned in close to her.

"No!" Miku shoved him away. His eyes were back to that red that she was so afraid of. Even his tone and attitude change when his eyes do. I can tell just by listening to the way he talks. She glared at him defiantly, "Why?'

Kaito laughed coldly, "You know the answer to that. Just think about it. Or wait. The answer will paint itself in time."

Miku stepped back. I'm scared. "Why do you change so quickly?"

He smirked and walked slowly towards her, "Honestly, you really are silly. I credited you with being able to think for yourself."

Miku growled. She looked around and saw shadow things floating above the ground. All of them had taken her shape.

"They take the shape of whichever person becomes their next meal," Kaito explained.

Miku's eyes widened, "But—"

They floated towards her relentlessly. The shadows encircled her and continued forward until she was enveloped in shadow. Her skin turned icy cold and clammy. Miku opened her eyes and sat up. She was sitting in her room and breathing hard. She looked around quickly. She shuddered and wrapped herself up in her blankets, "It'll be a bit before I have to get ready for school. I think I'm going to go to the park again today." She walked out into the living room. The phone rang loudly. Miku jumped and stared at it. She walked warily over to it and looked at the caller ID. "Luka?" She picked it up, "Hello?"

"Miku!" Luka sounded happy, "I'm giving Rin and Len a ride to school and was wondering if you wanted one too."

Miku smiled, "Yes please! I'd really like that."

Luka laughed, "Alright. Be outside your house at the time you would normally leave."

Miku nodded then realized Luka couldn't see her, "Okay!"

Luka hung up.

Miku did the same and hurried up to her room. She grabbed her brush and brushed her hair. I think I'm going to try having it down today. She smiled and got dressed. She ate breakfast and then sat on the couch. She glanced at the piano sitting by the kitchen, "I haven't played that in a while." She walked over to it and sat down.

Mikuo woke up to the sound of a piano echoing through the house, "She hasn't been on that thing in forever. She's still good too." He sat up and went downstairs.

"You have bed head," Miku giggled.

"Shut it," Mikuo ruffled her hair.

"Hey! I brushed mine!" Miku sighed and brushed it again.

"Your piano still sounds awesome," he said as he grabbed cereal from the cabinet.

"Really?" Miku asked excitedly.

"Yeah," Mikuo smiled, "I was beginning to miss it."

Miku narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"I was!" Mikuo insisted.

"Okay," Miku nodded.

"Luka's giving Rin Len and me a ride to school," Miku said.

"So that's why the phone was ringing," he nodded.

Miku went outside and sat on the front steps. The breeze hinted at a cool wet day and clouds hung in the sky. I think it's gonna rain. Miku smiled, "I like the rain. It's really nice."

Luka drove up in her grey civic.

Miku leaped to her feet and Rin and Len stumbled over each other as they hurried out of their house. Miku laughed.

"Hey Miku!" Rin smiled, "You're laughing at us huh?"

"You guys never really change," Miku smiled, "You're still shoving each other out the door trying not to be late."

Len shrugged, "It was her fault this time."

"Whatever," Rin shoved him playfully.

Len smiled, "You bet."

Miku laughed.

"Alright, alright," Luka smiled as she rolled down the window, "c'mon. We're going to school."

Rin and Len hurried into the car followed by Miku. They laughed and joked until they arrived.

Miku hopped out of the car and turned to wait for Rin and Len.

"C'mon! Today's supposed to be a short day because the seniors have testing," Rin smiled.

"So let's get it over with and go home!" Len added.

Miku nodded and followed her friends into the school.

Kaito sat next to her, "So today's Friday."

Miku glanced at him uneasily and nodded.

Kaito rolled his eyes. "You're still afraid of me. This is getting annoying," he muttered under his breath.

Miku glanced at him. I'm annoying? I guess I must be annoying to him. He's so mature and I'm so sheltered. I'm such a foolish little girl.

Kaito turned and talked to Teto.

Len glanced at Miku, "That was kind of mean."

Miku shrugged, "I understand though. I can be kind of annoying."

"That doesn't mean he has to be a total jerk about it," Len shrugged and turned back to the teacher.

Miku shrugged. I guess not. But I get it. She stared out the window for the rest of class.

Kaito walked over to Meiko, "What's up?"

"Nothing much," Meiko shrugged. "How's everybody's sheltered little girl?" she sounded as though she was fond of her.

Kaito shrugged, "Didn't ask."

"You didn't?" Meiko seemed surprised.

Kaito shook his head, "She's honestly gotten kind of annoying. She's been afraid of me since I walked in and it's gotten annoying."

Meiko shrugged, "I have to say she's usually quite social so the fact that she doesn't talk to you is quite abnormal."

Kaito rolled his eyes, "Great." Cause that makes me feel so much better. She's not really annoying. She's just afraid of me and I don't know why. She just doesn't make any sense to me. He sighed.

Miku went through her day. She smiled, "I'm going home then!"

Rin stuck out her tongue, "We have to wait for Luka. Our parents aren't home."

"And for some reason they're afraid we can't be trusted to be home just us," Len added.

Miku laughed, "I wonder why."

"That's mean!" Rin laughed.

Miku waved to them, "Well see ya." She walked to the park. She sighed, "I wonder what it's like to be a bird. I wonder if they envy us the way we do them." She smiled, "I don't know." The park was relatively empty. There was only a couple walking along the sidewalk and they were on the other side of the park. Miku walked into the trees that decorated the outside of the park. She reached the water tower before long. I wonder if I can get to the top. If I can I'll get to feel the wind and I'll be able to say I did. Miku nodded and worked her way up the water tower. She sat on top and let the wind blow through her hair. She felt all of her worries blow away with the wind and smiled genuinely.

Kaito sighed and sat on a bench, "It is a nice day and at least it hasn't started raining yet. When it does I'm going to have to go home." He stood up and wandered through the park. This is a lot bigger than I had originally thought. I thought the trees were the end of the park but they aren't. There're plenty of places for a nice picnic with someone. An image of Miku popped into his head. He shook his head and pushed them away. He continued to wander through the park. The water tower rose before him. He looked up and shook his head. Kaito was about to turn away when something up there squeaked. He turned back and looked up, "Miku?"

She was in the process of sitting against a vertical bar on one of the ones that made an "X" across it. Kaito watched her for a second. What is she doing? Did she try to climb up? That's stupid. Why would anyone do that? He shook his head, "Whatever." He climbed quickly up to where she was. He crouched over her, "Hey."

Miku jumped and stared at him in shock, "Kaito?"

"What are you doing?" Kaito asked. He sounded slightly annoyed.

Miku turned away, "I don't know."

"Then why are you up here?" Kaito asked.

Miku shrugged.

Kaito rolled his eyes, "Do you need help getting down?"

"I-yes," Miku sighed. I was going to tell him I could do it but then I would've never gotten down until my brother came looking for me.

"Okay," Kaito noticed her hands were clenched so tight her knuckles were white. He slid over to her. Since her hands are clenched like that, holding them isn't going to work. He noticed the blood trickling out from between her fingers. She's clenching them so tight she's making herself bleed. He reached out to grab her hand.

Miku freaked out and flinched away from him. She slipped sideways.

Kaito caught her. His eyes widened as his gaze met hers. He was leaning over her with his right hand on her left shoulder. Her sea blue eyes were filled with fear but also something else that he couldn't quite identify. He could feel her warm breath on his cheek. Kaito felt his cheeks turn red. He blinked and pulled away. He shook his head quickly before grabbing her hand. Trying to pry it open proved futile. "This is exactly why you're so annoying," he growled.

Miku stared at him for a moment and then opened her hand.

Kaito grabbed it, "Jeez." He looked at her. The red had faded from his cheeks and he looked serious, "C'mon."

Miku followed him up that part of the X.

Kaito gritted his teeth as her fingernails dug into the space in his hand between his middle and ring fingers. That hurts! She has a serious grip my god. He led the way down the majority of the water tower.

Miku followed silently.

Kaito glanced down, "You're going to have to jump the rest of the way."

Miku stared at him. Her eyes were filled with more fear than he had seen before.

Kaito sighed, "I'll jump first and catch you alright?"

Miku swallowed but eventually nodded.

Kaito let himself fall off the water tower and flipped on his way down. He landed on the ground about ten feet down. He looked up at Miku and nodded.

Miku swallowed. It's such a long way down. She squeezed her eyes shut and jumped.

Kaito caught her as promised. He laid her on the ground before standing. He started to walk away.

Miku sat up and started to cry, "I'm sorry."

Kaito froze. What? Why is she apologizing?

It started to rain. Kaito narrowed his eyes, "Well damn."

Miku curled into a ball.

Kaito turned back to look at her. Why is she crying? I don't get it. I shouldn't have told her she's annoying. He sighed and walked back to her. He kneeled next to her and reached out to touch her face.

Miku flinched away from him.

Kaito pulled his hand back. And she's still afraid of me. I helped her down a damn water tower that she climbed up herself and she's still afraid of me. He sighed, "C'mon. You have to get home before your family starts to worry."

Miku looked at him, "What about yours?"

"I live on the other side of town. I'll just call my brother," Kaito shrugged, "after I get you home." He held out his hand for her to take.

Miku glanced from his hand to his face in surprise. She grabbed his hand and climbed to her feet.

Kaito turned her hand so he could see where her nails had dug in to her palms. Her palms were bleeding badly.

Miku stared at her hand in shock.

He glanced at his own hand where she had dug her nails in. It was also bleeding but not as bad.

Her eyes widened, "I'm sorry!"

"It's fine," Kaito shook his head.

Miku followed him out of the park. It started to down pour now that the trees weren't protecting them from the worst of it.

Kaito held her hand for a bit before letting go. He noticed his favorite ice cream stand was not out of their way, "Wait a sec." He went up and got two sea salt ice creams. He left them in their wrappers and handed one to Miku.

Miku stared at him, "Um, thanks."

Kaito nodded.

She put it in her backpack.

Kaito continued. Her house was a bit of a walk from the park. They still had to cross a busy street and then walk through the majority of a neighborhood. Kaito glanced around.

"We took the long way," Miku said suddenly.

Kaito rolled his eyes, "Naturally."

Miku smiled.

Kaito cocked his head to the side. That's the first time she's smiled at me. That's definitely new. And better than her flinching away from me. They arrived at the crosswalk across the big street. Miku looked left and right and was about to cross.

Kaito turned down the street and saw a car speeding their way. He grabbed Miku's arm and pulled her backwards. She stumbled into him. Kaito caught her. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

Miku felt her cheeks turn red. This is uncomfortable…yet comfortable at the same time. He's so warm even though he's wet just the same as me.

"C'mon," Kaito grabbed her hand and walked across the street. By the time they got back to her house they were wading through ankle deep water. Kaito sighed, "My socks are soaked."

Miku laughed, "Mine too."

Kaito studied her face carefully.

Miku felt his gaze and looked at him.

Kaito turned away.

Miku sighed and returned her gaze to the ground so she could concentrate on not falling.

They arrived at her house a little while later.

Miku opened the door.

"Miku!" her mother wrapped her in a hug even though she was wet.

"Hi Mom," Miku returned it, "Can we have a towel?"

Her mother nodded, "And some dry clothes." She looked Kaito over. He was about the size of her older brother, "We'll let you borrow some of Mikuo's clothes."

Mikuo stared at her, "But Mom-"

"I don't want to hear it. Get your sister a towel," their mother said sternly.

Mikuo sighed, "Yes Mom." He skipped up the stairs.

Once they were dry and in dry clothes Miku introduced Kaito to her mother and brother.

"Well the water's too high for your brother to be able to drive safely," Miku's mom said.

"Are you saying he's staying here until it stops raining?" Mikuo asked.

Her mother nodded, "Yes."

"But what if it doesn't stop until tomorrow?" Mikuo asked.

"Then he'll stay here until tomorrow," their mother's eyes narrowed, "and you, Mikuo, will show our guest the courtesy we have taught you to."

Mikuo paused, "Yes Mom." He turned to Kaito, "As long as he stays out of Miku's room."

"What are you going to do? Stand guard on my room all night?" Miku asked.

Mikuo shrugged, "If I have to."

Miku glared at him, "But—"

"It's fine," Kaito sighed. He smirked, "I can sleep on the couch. It would not be the first time. I'll be okay."

Miku nodded, "That's fine I just don't want my brother standing guard in front of my door all night!"

"Fine," Mikuo sighed, "As long as he stays on the couch and away from the upstairs area then I'll leave your room alone."

Miku nodded. Then she narrowed her eyes, "Promise?"

Mikuo nodded, "Promise."

She sighed and sat at the table. Kaito sat next to her while Mikuo sat across from her. Miku sighed and let her forehead rest on the table. This is terrible. Everyone's so protective. We're lucky Dad's on a business trip and won't be back for a couple of days. Then I'd have my room barricaded. It'd be like a prison cell. And Dad would stay up all night just to make sure Kaito stays away from my room. Miku sighed, "This is a nightmare."

Kaito glanced at her curiously but decided to remain silent.

Mikuo sighed, "Sorry Sis, but I'm your older brother."

"Does that really mean that you have to lock me up in my room to protect me from the world?" Miku asked dully.

Mikuo smirked, "I'm not locking you up in your room. You are obviously not in your room."

Kaito looked from him to Miku and back again. I'm pretty sure that's not what she meant.

Miku lifted her head enough that her brother could see her eyes.

Mikuo swallowed uneasily, "Okay. Point taken."

Miku sighed.

"Miku, please remove your head from the table," their mother said as she carried dinner out of the kitchen.

"Sorry Mama," Miku lifted her head and sat up.

Mikuo looked into the pot excitedly, "Vegetable soup." He whined.

Kaito shrugged.

Miku grinned, "Yummy!"

Kaito swallowed. He turned to Miku. "What's in it?" he whispered.

"Well there's stuff like leeks and green beans and pork and carrots and stuff like that."

Kaito nodded. Couldn't it be a little less green? He sighed and ate it silently.

"Thank you Mama," Miku smiled and put her bowl in the sink. She rinsed it out. Mikuo did the same. Miku grabbed Kaito's bowl and rinsed it out.

Kaito sighed and walked over to the couch. He sat down and put his legs on the armrest. He put his hands behind his head and closed his eyes.

Miku yawned, "I'm off to bed."

Mikuo followed her up to her room and didn't leave until she punched the door after she had closed it. She flopped onto her bed and closed her eyes. Miku quickly fell asleep. She opened her eyes to the red world. Again? Why does this happen every time I close my eyes.

"Miku."

Miku turned to see Kaito standing behind her, "Kaito."

He walked up to her, "Did you enjoy your day?"

Miku pulled away from him warily, "It was fine." Her tone was guarded.

"Even the water tower?"

Miku glared at him, "Why bring that up? I was trying to forget how stupid I was that time!"

"I apologize," Kaito shook his head, "I did not mean to upset you."

"I feel like you're just playing with me," Miku snapped, "like you don't actually care."

"I never meant for you to feel like that," Kaito reached out his hand to touch her.

Miku shied away from it.

Kaito sighed, "You're still afraid I see."

"You attack me every time. Or let something else do it," Miku said evenly.

Kaito grabbed her hair gently and let it fall through his fingers, "And what about the Kaito in your waking world? Do you blame him for what I do?"

Miku stared at him, "What?"

"Do you? I think you do," Kaito smiled and gently brushed her hair out of her face.

Miku cocked her head to the side. I am afraid of him. I have been since I met him. She thought back to when she had flinched away from him when he was trying to help her. She hung her head.

"Don't be sad Miku," Kaito said, "There's still time."

Miku sighed, "Time to do what? Make myself look stupid?"

Kaito chuckled, "I never thought of you as stupid. Not once." He slid his hand under her cheek and lifted her head so she was looking him in the eyes, "Not once."

Miku rolled her eyes, "Okay. You're in my head."

"So? Does that matter? I can still see you as beautiful and talented can't I?" Kaito asked.

"I guess," Miku shrugged.

Kaito smirked.

Miku backed away instantly. Here we go again. I'm going to wake up as he's attacking me. She sighed.

He ran his fingers down her neck. She felt icy cold fangs dig into her neck and saw a shadow wrap itself around her. The last thing she saw was his sneer watching her collapse. Miku screamed as pain shot through her. She jerked and opened her eyes. Her room was quiet and still. Nothing moved. She heard the distant stirrings of someone downstairs. Probably Kaito or Mom. Miku took deep calming breaths. I'm okay. They're just dreams. Nothing that hurts me there can hurt me here. She walked into her bathroom and looked in the mirror. What she saw caused her to freeze in horror. Her arms were covered in small cuts. All of them were bleeding. The blood was minimal individually but it flowed from one into the other until there was blood running down her arms. Miku staggered back. 'What if it isn't a dream?' If it isn't then he really did unbraid my hair and I can really be hurt there. And I can't let him hurt me. She ran into the wall. She sank to a sitting position and hugged herself. She rocked back and forth at a steady pace. Tears started to roll down her face.

Kaito opened his eyes. Is someone crying? He sat up. The sound continued on from somewhere in the house. He cocked his head to the side and listened before deciding to investigate. He saw Miku sitting on the bathroom floor. She rocked back and forth and she was actually being quiet. Kaito kneeled down next to her and saw her arms. His eyes widened. He gently ran his hand down her right arm. The cuts were fresh, raised and red.

Miku looked up and pulled away from him.

Kaito stared at her, "What happened?" He studied her face carefully. It was filled with horrified revelation. He cocked his head to the side and watched her closely. He sat back on his feet and watched her rock back and forth. Suddenly she sat up. The sea blue of her eyes faded into an eclipse that filled the entirety of both her eyes. Kaito leaned away from her for a second.

Miku stared around her, "No! I want to leave this place forever!"

"So you finally figured it out," Kaito smiled at her. She saw the fangs that were usually hidden even when he smiled, "Being born of a being from our realm you have the ability to see into it."

"Born of a being from your realm?" Miku asked dumbfounded, "You mean one of my parents is from this place?"

Kaito nodded, "We have many forms but only powerful ones can take on physical forms. The ones that cling helplessly to people are weak."

"So you chose that form?" Miku asked slowly.

"No," Kaito leaned forward and slid his finger under her chin, "I represent the turmoil inside of him."

Miku's eyes widened. She pulled away from him. She was scared and shaken.

Kaito stepped forward and pulled her against him.

Miku struggled against him.

"It's interesting," Kaito said. He ran his hand gently down the back of her head, "the girl before you could not fully disconnect from your realm. You can. She would hear us as whispers in the back of her mind when she wasn't asleep. You can enter fully into our world. While your physical body stays in your world your spirit and mind come here."

Miku stopped struggling, "What do you mean?" It feels safe just like the last time. But once his attitude changes it won't anymore. I don't know what to do. I'm scared! I'm so scared.

"You are currently in our world," Kaito let go of her.

Miku pulled away quickly.

He ran his hand down the side of her face, "You left your body behind and entered this world. You can't be here physically because you belong to the other world as well. The girl before you could not do that. She wasn't as sheltered as you. She wasn't as disconnected from that world as you."

"I'm disconnected?" Miku asked.

"She knew about her power long before you," Kaito smiled gently, "and therefore she could control it by the time she was able to enter our world. She didn't want to become a part of both worlds. She wanted to live a normal life as a normal girl. Because your parents decided it was best to hide your true talent away from and protected you from everything bad in the world, you aren't nearly as connected to that world. When have they ever told you no for anything? When have they criticized you? You live a beautiful life of love and rainbows. Even your classmates find you adorable. Even they can't say no to you."

Miku stared at him, "They didn't tell me on purpose?"

"They thought it would protect you from this world. It's not that dangerous but if you stay too long it can drive you insane," Kaito explained.

Mikuo stared at his sister. She had the eclipse eyes again.

"Let's keep this down so your mom doesn't freak out," Kaito had gotten Mikuo the moment he realized Miku couldn't hear him thinking she'd be able to hear her brother.

Mikuo nodded, "I've seen this before. It happened a couple days ago. I don't know what it is."

Kaito sighed, "Well that's awesome."

"She didn't seem to hear me until it faded completely," Mikuo added.

"So do we just wait for her to pull out of it?" Kaito asked.

"She screamed last time," Mikou said.

"Meaning we're going to want to get her out of the bathroom," Kaito concluded, "so it doesn't echo."

Mikuo nodded. He picked her up and followed Kaito downstairs. He set his sister down on the couch and pulled a chair over from the table. He sat in front of the couch and watched her. Kaito leaned against the wall nearby.

Miku cocked her head to the side, "Drive me insane?"

Kaito nodded, "Yes, a normal being from your realm would not be able to handle any of this. They would see psychedelic colors in random patterns. You can handle it because one of your parents is from this realm. Your realm is easy to understand but only powerful members of the race that inhabit this place can actually go there."

Miku glanced at her arms, "So I can actually be hurt here?"

"Your soul is hurt and your body when you return reflects that," Kaito explained.

Miku nodded.

"You better go back," Kaito hugged her again.

Miku closed her eyes. He was kind of mean at first this time but then he was kind of sweet. My parents never told me. They never told me about this. I've been living a lie. Miku blinked and started to cry. She curled into a ball as the tears fell down her cheeks.

"Miku!" Mikuo leaned forward, "Are you alright?"

Miku didn't respond as she couldn't because she was crying.

Kaito rolled his eyes. She is really annoying. But why is she crying? What was that? Why'd her eyes go all creepy like that? He sat on the other side of her, "What happened?"

Miku continued to cry until she fell asleep. Kaito and Mikuo exchanged glances.

"She wasn't nearly as sweet or talkative either," Miku heard Kaito's voice in her head. Miku opened her eyes to see her living room. Mikuo was being interrogated by her father while Kaito sat at the table awkwardly. Miku sat up suddenly, "Daddy!" You weren't supposed to be home for a while longer at least.

Her father turned, "Miku how was your sleep?"

Miku smiled, "It was fine." She nodded. Once her father turned away she looked at Kaito. He was hunched in a chair looking entirely uncomfortable.

"Mom said he could stay," Mikuo was explaining, "but he couldn't sleep. Miku was cold so I brought her down here and she ended up falling asleep on the couch."

Her father nodded. He glanced at Kaito before turning back to his son.

"Daddy," Miku interrupted suddenly, "We have to go to school. Kaito and I go to the same school so we're going to walk with Rin and Len."

Her father opened his mouth to protest before she added Rin and Len. Then he nodded.

Miku smiled. She grabbed her backpack and slipped on her shoes.

Kaito stood from the table and followed her out the door.

She brushed her hair as they walked down the sidewalk.

Kaito seemed less tense the moment the door closed behind them. He sighed in relief, "Your father is frightening."

"He's not that bad," Miku shrugged.

Kaito glanced at her, "If you say so."

"Hold on a sec," Miku bent over so her hair was upside down.

"What are you doing?" Kaito asked.

"Putting my hair in a ponytail," Miku responded.

Kaito noticed the sun reflecting off her sea blue-green hair so it really did look like the ocean. He didn't realize he was staring until she stood upright, flipping her hair so it fell behind her. He shifted his eyes away from her, "Done?"

Miku nodded and continued walking.

Kaito sighed. She's so confusing. She was crying just last night. Well technically it was early this morning. Still she was freaking out earlier and now she's all cheerful. She's really annoying. I mean the world can't be all sunshine and rainbows which is exactly how she sees it. It's dumb and it's going to get her nowhere. He shook his head, "C'mon."

Miku sighed, "You can go ahead if you want. It won't hurt my feelings."

Kaito stopped and waited for her to catch up silently.

Miku glanced at him. He's still kind of scary. Okay, he's still really scary. She sighed.

Kaito turned to her quickly.

Miku flinched away from him.

Kaito's eyes narrowed, "Why wouldn't you mind if I went on ahead?"

"Because I can't keep up anyway," Miku said.

Kaito rolled his eyes, "Why are you so afraid of me?"

Miku shrugged but her gaze shifted to the ground.

Kaito growled. I never get straight answers out of her. Oh well. Whatever. He sighed and continued walking.

Miku followed slowly. He probably thinks I'm just a chore. I am I guess. I mean he had to help me down from the water tower and then walked me home. He had to stay at my place and I accidently fell asleep with him right there and that made Dad more confrontational towards him. She sighed, "I'm alright though." She looked up to the sky and smiled. Let's go see Rin and Len! She hurried to school and waited for her friends outside.

Rin and Len skipped up together a few moments later.

"Miku!" Rin smiled.

Len stopped skipping and jogged up to her.

Rin sighed and copied, "How're you!"

Miku smiled, "I'm fine. How about you guys?"

"We're good," Len looked at his sister.

Rin nodded, "We're awesome!"

The three of them laughed. The day went by slowly for Miku. She didn't really want to go home. Mom's more lenient than Dad. I don't really like how controlling Dad is but whatever. She walked slowly down the road.

Kaito climbed into the back of his brother's car.

"So," Akaito smirked knowingly, "what's on your mind little brother?"

"Nothing," Kaito mumbled.

"Oh now something's definitely wrong," Akaito nodded, "What is it?"

Kaito noticed Miku walking sullenly down the street. He turned and watched her until the car drove past her.

"What's on your mind?" Akaito asked.

"Nothing," Kaito insisted.

"Still doesn't sound convincing," Akaito teased. His face turned serious, "Really. It's not a good thing to bottle everything up. What's wrong?"

Kaito sighed, "You aren't going to leave me alone are you?"

"No way, not until you're honest with me," Akaito promised.

"There's this girl at school that really confuses me," Kaito shrugged.

"And that's something you've never run into Mr. Lady's Man."

Kaito glared at him but continued, "She's really annoying and she's afraid of me for no apparent reason. Even when I try to be friendly she's afraid of me."

"She could just be shy," Akaito shrugged.

"But she's not," Kaito sighed, "She's fine talking with anyone else. She just gets quiet and jumpy around me."

"Maybe she likes you," Akaito shrugged.

"That much I doubt," Kaito shook his head, "She's afraid of me."

"Maybe she isn't."

"But she is," Kaito rolled her eyes, "If I make any sudden moves near her she flinches away from me even though I've never done anything to her. Even after I helped her yesterday."

"What'd she do yesterday?" Akaito asked.

"It's a long story," Kaito shook his head.

"Okay, she's afraid of you," Akaito nodded, "and you're annoyed because she's confusing and afraid of you?"

Kaito nodded.

"That is certainly odd," Akaito glanced at his brother in the rearview mirror, "Do you like her?"

"No she's annoying," Kaito muttered.

"Aw but you don't sound certain," Akaito nodded. He likes her. It's almost a certain thing.

Kaito glared at him, "I am certain! She's annoying. She thinks the world is all sunshine and rainbows when it isn't and that kind of thinking isn't going to get her anywhere."

"Is she the same girl you bought ice cream for yesterday?" Akaito asked.

Kaito stared at him and his cheeks turned an adorable red, "What?"

Akaito laughed, "Thought so."

"Wait! I didn't even confirm or deny anything!" Kaito insisted quickly.

"You don't have to," his brother laughed, "because it was written all over your face once I asked. Why'd you buy her ice cream if you don't like her and she's annoying?"

Kaito crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the back of the chair where his brother sat.

"Well?" Akaito prompted.

"Because I was getting myself some and not getting her any is rude," Kaito muttered.

"I don't remember you doing that for Asami," Akaito smirked.

Kaito turned redder, "So?"

"Exactly," Akaito nodded, "You were even dating Asami weren't you?"

"I bought her ice cream then," Kaito muttered. He wouldn't meet his brother's eyes.

Akaito laughed, "Yeah but not just because you were getting yourself some."

Kaito slouched and tried to hide his face from his brother completely.

"You aren't even dating Miku and you got her ice cream," Akaito smiled.

Kaito whipped around and sat up, "How'd you—"

"I'm friends with her brother, silly," Akaito laughed, "He told me about yesterday."

Kaito turned away and slouched again.

Akaito left him alone for the rest of the ride home.

Miku walked into the house with her boots covered in mud and her hands were just as dirty. She had wrapped her hair around itself to keep it out of the muck.

"Miku?" Her father looked her over with a scrutinizing gaze.

"I played in the mud with Rin and Len at the park," Miku explained.

"Take a bath then," he nodded.

Miku nodded and took off her shoes.

"And be sure to clean those before you go to bed."

Miku nodded, "Yes Dad." She hurried up the stairs to her room to get clean clothes.

"Remember to stick the clothes in the wash as well," her father added.

Mikuo hovered in her doorway, "I forgot how strict Dad was."

Miku shrugged, "I don't mind. It's not that bad."

"Whatever you say, Sis," Mikuo hurried down the stairs. Miku sighed and sat on her feet. She was covered in mud but it had been fun. Rin and Len technically hadn't been there. I had been playing with Neru, Teto and Gumi but whatever. She smiled.

The bath was warm and comforting. She got dressed and was drying her hair when she heard something behind her. The world faded and a shadow floated behind her, "Hello Miku." It took on her form but dissipated midway down the leg.

"Hello Miku," it floated up to her.

Miku backed away, "Don't touch me."

It sighed, "Why not? You let Kaito touch you."

Miku glared at it, "Because, last time there were cuts all over my arms! I'm still hiding them!"

"Why? Aren't they decorative?" It sneered.

Miku shook her head, "They're going to get me in trouble. My parents are going to think I'm hurting myself and then I'll be yelled at and pulled out of real school."

"Is that really so heart breaking?" it mocked.

"Yes! I have friends there and I like it."

"You like school?" It laughed, "How adorable."

Miku narrowed her eyes, "Good for me. I don't see how my liking school affects you."

"Actually it opened your mind up to us so it benefits me," it reached out to touch her harm.

"I said don't touch me!" Miku insisted stubbornly.

"Okay," it faded back into the shadows.

Miku sighed, "I want to go back now." Shadowy fingers grabbed her arms from behind her. Miku squeaked and tried to turn around. The hands held her firmly even though they were definitely not solid. Miku growled, "Let go!"

"Why should I?" it hissed in her ear.

"Get off!" Miku tried to rip herself free. She felt icy fingers dig into the flesh of her arms. She shuddered as a painful cold spread from her arms through her body. She felt her legs growing weak, "Get off." She collapsed.

"Miku!"

Miku sat up and realized she was lying on the bathroom floor. Her arms were bleeding from five rather deep cuts. She grabbed her arms and turned to the person calling her name, "Mi-Mikuo."

Her mother studied her carefully.

"Miku are you alright?" her father asked distantly.

"I'm okay," Miku nodded.

Mikuo cocked his head to the side, "Okay, you're bleeding and you're telling us you're fine?"

Miku smiled sheepishly, "I'm going to go sit on the couch." She climbed unsteadily to her feet and used the wall for support on her way down the stairs.

Kaito quickly noticed that the seat beside him in first hour was empty. Miku's not here? He glanced around. He saw Rin and Len talking to Neru nearby. He moved closer so he could listen.

"Her brother said she was sick," Rin sounded worried.

"But Miku never gets sick," Neru cocked her head to the side, "and unlike the rest of us she'd go to school even if the world was burning around her."

"I'm worried," Len said, "because she would come to school even if everything was falling apart."

"It's so unusual," Rin nodded.

Kaito walked over to his seat as the bell rang. Then why isn't she here? She is always here so this is weird.

"Please discuss with your partner. Len Rin can you speak to Kaito since Miku isn't here?"

Len sighed, "Yeah."

Kaito glanced sadly at the empty seat beside him before turning to the twins.

"What are we talking about?" Rin asked.

Len smiled, "Greek democratic system."

"Oh," Rin rolled her eyes.

Kaito sighed and remained silent.

Rin and Len just chattered about random other stuff instead of what they were supposed to be talking about.

Kaito shook his head and stared out the window. The sun was out and shined brightly down on them. He shrugged. Oh well. At least I don't have to deal with her today. He sighed and turned back to his work.

Rin and Len sat with Neru, Gumi, and Teto.

Kaito turned as the door opened. Miku walked into the lunch room. She smiled as she saw her friends.

"Miku!" Rin and Len darted over to her. Miku smiled, "Sorry I wasn't here earlier. I wasn't feeling well but I'm fine now."

"Were you sick?" Rin asked.

Miku paused thoughtfully, "Not exactly. I can't really explain it very well but I'm better now."

"Yay!"

Kaito cocked his head to the side. Did that creepy eclipse thing happen again?

Miku sat with her friends and laughed with them.

"Is your arm okay?" Teto asked, noticing the cut on her shoulder.

Miku nodded, "Yeah, it's fine. My brother and I were horsing around and he accidently scratched me." Miku cringed inwardly. I'm so sorry but my parents won't let me explain. I really hate lying to you guys.

"We know how that goes!" Rin and Len exchanged glances.

Miku smiled, "Well you guys are twins."

"We've had each other all of our lives," Len punched his sister in the arm.

"That hurt," Rin punched him back.

"I barely hit you and you're gonna punch me that hard?" Len pouted, "I see how it is."

The two of them burst out laughing.

Miku smiled and chuckled. Miku stayed for the rest of the day.

"Miku!" Rin called.

"Want a ride?" Len smiled. The twins jogged up to her. Each of them grabbed one of her hands.

Miku shrugged, "Okay, thanks." The three of them walked over to Luka's car and climbed into the back. Miku was in the middle like she always was.

Luka smiled, "So how were your guys' days?"

"It was fun," Rin smiled.

"We played baseball in PE," Len added.

Miku smiled, "We did too."

"That sounds fun," Luka chuckled, "I always hated baseball."

"It's not that bad," Rin smiled.

"I heard Miku hit the ball over the fence."

Miku turned red, "I did. Luckily it didn't go that far past it."

"There're dark alleys behind there right?" Luka asked.

Miku nodded.

"Who got the ball then?" Rin asked.

"Kaito did," Miku shrugged.

"Really?" Len stuck his tongue out.

"Oh yeah huh?" Rin laughed, "You don't like him."

"No he's a play boy and a total flirt," Len shook his head.

Luka cocked her head to the side, "Really? His brother's pretty cool."

Rin laughed. "Len's just jealous because he used to be the boy the girl's fawned over until Kaito came along," Rin teased.

"I am not!" Len shook his head, "He's annoying and dumb."

Rin glanced at Miku, "He seemed to miss you this morning."

Miku cocked her head to the side, "Why would he? I mean I don't talk to him."

"Yeah, why not?" Rin asked, "I mean you talk to everyone else. Even Meiko."

"Meiko's pretty cool," Miku smiled. She shrugged.

"Maybe because Miku doesn't like him?" Len asked.

"He scares me," Miku shrugged.

"Why? Because he's taller than you?" Rin asked.

"No," Miku shook her head.

"She talks to plenty of people that are taller than her," Len pointed out, "Like Luka. She wasn't afraid of Luka."

"Even the first time they met," Rin nodded.

Luka cocked her head to the side as she listened to the conversation, "Kaito's brother told me he bought you ice cream the other day."

Miku nodded, "Yeah. He still scares me."

"Okay," Luka nodded.

"He bought you ice cream?" Len asked.

"Don't freak out," Rin reached across Miku and patted her brother on the shoulder, "He probably buys every girl ice cream."

Miku shrugged.

Len sighed, "Yeah."

"Hey, we should stop by the park sometime," Rin suggested, changing the subject.

"You know I've been wanting to climb that water tower," Len added.

"I did," Miku told them.

"Really?" Rin and Len asked in unison.

Let's not bring Kaito up. I think that would be a bad idea. "It's harder to get down than it is to get up," Miku nodded.

"Cool! You should come with us when we do it!" Rin squealed excitedly.

"Okay, but I'm not actually going to climb it again," Miku shook her head.

Len nodded, "Okay."

Miku smiled.

Luka dropped them off in front of Rin's and Len's house.

Miku walked over to hers and opened the door. Her brother was sitting on the couch and her father stood in front of him. They both turned when Miku opened the door.

"Miku," her father smiled.

Her brother looked away from her.

Miku cocked her head to the side, "Hi. What happened?"

"Your brother is in trouble," her father explained.

Miku glanced at Mikuo, "What'd you do?"

"I told this one kid to back off and ended up punching him cause I got mad," Mikuo muttered.

Miku's eyes widened, "What?"

"He was being a jerk to Luka," Mikuo explained, "and I wasn't going to stand by and let it happen."

Miku nodded, "Okay." She slid past the couch and up the stairs, "I'm going to my room."

"How was school?" Her father asked before she could leave the room.

Miku turned and smiled, "It was fine. I really liked it. We played baseball. The ball went over the fence."

"Did someone get it?" Mikuo asked.

Miku nodded.

"Well?" Mikuo leaned forward, "Don't leave us hanging. Who got it? There are really dark alleys back there."

"Kaito," Miku said.

Mikuo sighed, "I knew that kid was crazy."

Miku cocked her head to the side, "Crazy how?"

"Just crazy," Mikuo shrugged.

Miku shrugged.

"Are you feeling better after this morning?" Her mother asked.

They know that I can see into those realms so why are they still pretending not to? Miku nodded, "I feel much better." She smiled happily, "I also found out Len's opinion on Kaito." She laughed.

"Let me guess," Mikuo smirked, "He doesn't like him?"

Miku shook her head, "No he doesn't. I just found the way he put it to be funny. I kind of feel bad for laughing though because Kaito's not that bad."

"According to his brother he likes to flirt," Mikuo said.

"That much was obvious on his first day," Miku shrugged.

"Really? He didn't even bother to get to know the school?" Mikuo asked in surprise.

Miku shrugged, "I don't know if he got to know the school. I just know he spent a lot of first flattering Teto."

"She's gonna be disappointed," Mikuo shook his head.

"Actually as of PE today Kaito's dating Meiko," Miku said.

Mikuo's eyes widened, "But Meiko doesn't take crap from anybody."

"You knew Meiko?" Miku asked curiously.

"She's a grade below me. Yes I knew her," Mikuo nodded.

"Wow. I honestly don't know what's going down with that," Miku shrugged. She went upstairs to her room. She opened her window and flopped onto her bed. He's dating Meiko. Good for him. I don't know why that bugs me so much. She stared out the window silently.

The world faded.

Miku jumped and looked around, "Hey!"

"Did you get distracted?" Kaito asked.

Miku turned and glared at him, "I want to go back!"

"Why? It's not like you were doing anything important," he smirked.

Miku sighed, "I was."

"You were thinking," he shrugged.

"And? That's important," Miku insisted.

"Technically this is your fault. You're the one that let your mind wander," he walked up to her, "and you ended up coming here. I find it adorable how little control you actually have over a power you were born with." He ran his fingers through her left ponytail.

Miku glared at him indignantly, "You act more like my brother than you do Kaito! And I don't see how that's adorable."

"Really?" Kaito smiled, "The fact that you can't control it means I get to see you more often. Every time your mind slips you come here. Every time I get to see you. Is it wrong for me to want to see you?"

"If you represent Kaito then why do you tell me you like talking to me and he calls me annoying?" Miku asked in annoyance, "It doesn't seem like him at all."

"Try being absent for a few days in a row and then watch him out of the very corner of your eye the day you get back and you'll understand," Kaito smiled and touched her cheek.

Miku looked up at him stubbornly, "I'm not missing school just because you want me to."

"Maybe I don't want you to. What if you want you to? You do want an answer to your question don't you?" Kaito asked.

Miku cocked her head to the side, "Maybe I do but I can wait for him to come and talk to me. Why do you call him "him" if you are him in a way?"

"Because you do," Kaito shrugged.

"But that does really make any—"

Kaito pressed his finger against her lips, "This is very important."

Miku closed her mouth.

His blue eyes studied her face carefully, "There is someone that does not approve of you coming here. If they catch you then you will not enjoy the consequences. They wouldn't hurt you physically, ever, but they will not hesitate to separate you from everything you currently hold dear to your heart."

Miku stared at him with wide eyes, "Who?"

"I won't be able to see you for a while," he smiled and ran his fingers along her jaw line, "so until then I'll leave you with this." He kissed her on the cheek and set something in her hand.

Miku felt her cheeks turn red. Ah! Why is he doing this? What is he doing?

Kaito disappeared.

Miku blinked and was back in her room. She was still staring out the window but the sun was now set. The moon illuminated her room in a pretty silver color. She looked into her hand and saw a blue rose. She cocked her head to the side, "What is this?" If someone doesn't approve of me being in that world then why would he give me this when he's the one that gave it to me? He also hasn't attacked me here recently. He's been a lot nicer. The real Kaito is still calling me annoying so have I just been catching him in good moods or what? Miku shook her head in confusion and set the rose on her dresser. She opened her bedroom door to the bright hall light, "Ah." She squinted against it, "It's bright."

"No you've just been in the dark," Miku jumped and turned to see her brother walking around the corner.

She sighed, "Okay. I was in the dark but still. It's bright."

Mikuo nodded, "It is on brighter than it usually is."

Kaito sighed.

"What's up?" Akaito asked.

Kaito glanced at him, "Nothing."

"What?" Akaito poked him in the head. The two of them were around the same height even though Akaito was older.

Kaito rolled his eyes, "Fine. The girl that loves school and wouldn't miss any part of it if the world was burning down around her was absent for the first half of today."

"Okay," Akaito nodded, "but I don't see what that has to do with you. Or are you worried about her?"

"I'm not I just find it weird," Kaito insisted.

"Okay," Akaito nodded, "whatever you say."

Kaito glared at him, "Like I care whether or not Miku's at school anyway!" Suddenly he snapped his mouth shut, "Um." His gaze shifted to the ground as his cheeks turned bright red.

Akaito burst out laughing, "I didn't even have to look at you and you're already all red."

Kaito glared at the ground. Dammit. I wasn't saying her name for a reason. Although the classroom did feel kind of empty without her. He shook his head. I don't care. She's annoying anyway.

"Stop trying to convince yourself you don't like her," Akaito said, "because it's not going to work."

"I don't like her," Kaito shrugged.

"Oh yeah," Akaito nodded. He smirked knowingly, "I'm sure you don't. After all you bought her ice cream and you were worried that she wasn't at school and you went chasing after the ball that she knocked over the fence and then gave it back directly to her and—"

"Shut up!" Kaito cried. He was completely red but glared at his brother anyway, "Just stop it!" He darted into his room and slammed the door shut.

"What happened?" Kaiko asked as she walked out of the kitchen with an ice cream stick in her mouth. She held one headphone in her hand, having obviously just pulled it out.

"Oh I just succeeded in embarrassing the hell out of Kaito," Akaito shrugged.

"How?" Kaiko asked.

"He was talking about how he was worried that a girl in his class wasn't there," Akaito shrugged, "and then told me he didn't care. He also said he didn't like her anyway and then I listed off some of the things he's done for her. I didn't even get very far into that list before he got pissed off and stormed away."

Kaiko giggled, "You're so mean to him."

"Maybe that's why he likes Taito better," Akaito shrugged.

Kaiko shrugged, "It's gotta suck being youngest though."

Akaito rolled his eyes, "I'd love to be him. I mean Mom and Dad spoil him rotten and that's not even counting the amount of attention he gets at school."

Kaiko laughed, "Oh yes but with an older brother like you?"

Akaito cocked his head to the side, "Okay so maybe I'm a little over the top but he's the one that brings her up."

"You're the one that prompts him and annoys him until he tells you what's wrong," Kaiko pointed out.

"Okay but I'm not going crazy. Every time here lately it's been something about Miku even though he swears she's annoying and he doesn't like her," Akaito insisted.

"Yeah," Kaiko nodded, "He's told me about her, including how apparently annoying she is. I just think she was sheltered and is therefore naïve."

Akaito nodded, "According to her older brother she was homeschooled most of her life up until this school year."

"Yeah, she's naïve," Kaiko nodded. She smirked, "But knowing Kaito I'm pretty sure she's cute at the very least. I mean he doesn't buy ice cream for just anyone. He doesn't even let me eat his ice cream."

"That's because he loves ice cream," Akaito sighed.

"I tried eating just a tiny spoonful while he was at school. When he came back he noticed and got mad at me. He's not going to talk to you for the rest of today and probably tomorrow too," Kaiko smirked.

Akaito shrugged.

Kaito buried his face in his pillow. She's annoying and I don't like her. Is that really so hard to understand? She's such a chore. I had to help her off the water tower and I had to fetch the ball that she hit over the fence. He sat up and crossed his arms over his chest. He slouched and glared at the wall. I don't get why he always has to do that. He's the one that bugged me for the freaking answer! It's not like I wanted to share to begin with. "I want ice cream," Kaito stood and walked out of his room. He pulled his scarf up to hide his cheeks as he walked into the kitchen.

"So," Akaito leaned against the fridge beside him.

Kaito glared at him.

"Sorry about earlier," Akaito winked, "I went a little over the top."

"Is she cute?" Kaiko asked.

Kaito glared at her, "She's annoying."

Kaiko nodded, "Okay."

"What are you three going on about?" Taito asked.

"Apparently there's a really annoying girl in at least one of Kaito's class that he keeps going on about," Akaito smirked.

Kaiko elbowed him in the side.

"Ow," Akaito looked at her, "What?"

Kaito slammed the freezer door shut and stormed back up the stairs with his ice cream.

Kaiko rolled her eyes, "You're chewing on your knee again."

Akaito swallowed, "Oops."

Taito sighed and rolled his eyes, "Okay, so what exactly happened?"

Akaito filled him in.

Taito cocked his head to the side, "You really don't know when to stop do you?"

Akaito smiled sheepishly, "Okay so I tried apologizing to him."

"And you messed that up too," Kaiko nodded.

"As I recall you didn't help," Taito sighed.

"We're just gonna let him pout huh?" Akaito asked.

"Unless you want to piss him off even more," Taito stepped aside to open the way to the stairs, "then be my guest."

"I'm good," Akaito nodded.

Kaito sighed. I forgot a spoon. Damn. The ice cream was the same color as Miku's hair. Kaito cringed. Okay, it's also the color of the sea and her eyes. God dammit! She's annoying! He sighed and opened his door. Akaito walked around the corner and handed him a spoon, "You could probably use a spoon."

"You were waiting for me to decide that I wanted to go get one," Kaito muttered.

"So?" Akaito shrugged, "At least I brought you one before you got all the way down stairs which is what Kaiko was going to do."

Kaito sighed, "Thanks." He shut his bedroom door. He turned and sat back on his bed. The ice cream was okay but he didn't really taste it. His mind was elsewhere. I hope she's okay. It's not like her to miss anything. I mean I've only been there a little bit and I know how much she loves school. It's like every day is going to be a good day for her. Nothing ever really brings her down. She's so cheerful unless she's tired. He sighed and stared dully at the spoon in his hand. He walked back downstairs and put the ice cream back in the freezer. He put the spoon in the sink and went back to his room.

Akaito watched him curiously, "Did he just not finish an ice cream?"

Kaiko nodded, "Looks like." She walked up to the freezer and pulled out the ice cream. She opened it and her eyes widened, "He took maybe two bites out of it."

Akaito glanced at her in surprise, "Seriously?"

Kaiko nodded.

Kaito flopped onto his bed and stared at the ceiling.

Miku closed her eyes. Not again. I really don't want to go there again. She fell asleep relatively slowly. Once she did she was back in the world of shadows. Dammit! Miku looked around. Kaito wasn't there but he said he wasn't going to be able to talk to her for a while. Miku started walking, "I guess I might as well look around. I have nothing better to do." I haven't actually gone exploring. I'm getting kind of used to this place. It's not as scary as it was the first time.

"Miku."

Miku turned at the sound of her voice. A beautiful girl stood behind her. She faded into nothingness starting at her hips. Miku cocked her head to the side, "Yes?"

"You have to wake up. If he finds out you've been here he'll rip this part of you out. You'll never be able to come back. There are things here that you should not be associating with," she warned. She had long green hair that glowed like the sun reflecting off of green grass. Her eyes were a pretty turquoise color as well.

"You mean Kaito?" Miku asked fearfully.

"No," she shook her head, "I am what he will become once the Kaito in your world dies. The shadows that have hurt you in the past. They hold nothing but hatred in their hearts. If he finds out that you've been associating with any of us Kaito and I will be destroyed and you will be the one left to live with the pain."

"I don't know how to wake up," Miku realized out loud.

"I can help you," she smiled kindly.

Miku nodded. She didn't know why but she believed and trusted this girl even though she had never met her before.

She floated forward and touched Miku's fore head with two fingers.

Miku felt tired suddenly and her eyes closed of their own volition.

"Have sweet dreams, Miku. Remember that you are loved wherever you are. Even here we love you. We have been under his cruel rule for far too long."

Miku opened her eyes to her alarm blaring. She sat up and looked around. She hadn't slept that well in a while. I didn't even learn her name! Miku sat up. She saw the blue rose sitting on her dresser. It had not yet begun to wilt although it should have at least started to. She grabbed it and felt its petals gently. It's just fine. It hasn't even started to wilt at all. That's so weird.

"Miku!" Mikuo called.

"Yeah?"

"Luka called. She's giving you a ride."

"Alright!" Miku nodded. She smiled excitedly, "I'll be right out!" She left her hair down and hurried out the door. Rin and Len waited for her outside of their house.

"Miku!" Rin smiled and hugged her.

Len hung back slightly uncomfortably. She's so pretty today. Just like every day. "Hey Miku," he smiled warmly.

Miku smiled back.

"Len's been bugging me all morning!" Rin cried.

"Why?" Miku asked.

"I ate a banana for breakfast this morning because there weren't any oranges," Rin shrugged.

"I thought you hated bananas," Miku cocked her head to the side.

"I don't hate them. They just aren't my favorite."

"But the bananas are mine," Len insisted.

"So, I only had one. Even then I gave the bigger half of it to you," Rin said.

Miku laughed, "C'mon guys. I have a banana and an orange in my kitchen. You can have them when we get home after school today."

"Really?" They asked in unison.

Miku laughed and nodded.

Len and Rin grabbed her hands. Miku led the way to the sidewalk that ran outside the driveways. She sat on the ground, "Let's play a game."

"Like what?" Rin asked.

"I like the games Miku comes up with," Len nodded.

"You like anything Miku comes up with," Rin commented.

"Well," Len turned red, "that's only because—ga! I don't know. Whatever."

"C'mon guys," Miku smiled, "don't fight."

"Okay!" they said in unison.

Miku smiled, "Let's play a special kind of tic-tac-toe."

"Where it's three players instead of two?" Rin asked excitedly.

Miku nodded. She was a year older than the two of them.

Luka pulled up in the middle of their second game. She smiled, "Playing tic-tac-toe?"

Miku nodded, "Yep."

Rin and Len nodded happily.

"I'm amazed at you three," Luka shook her head in amusement, "Even if the world was ending around you you'd still find a way to smile."

Rin and Len nodded, "Definitely."

Miku smiled. They climbed into the car with Miku in the middle as usual.

Luka dropped them off and then continued on to her own school.

Miku skipped into the school.

"Miku!" Rin called.

"Wait up!" Len added.

Miku turned, "Oops. Sorry guys."

Rin smiled, "It's fine."

"Nice to see you're back to your old self again," Len nodded.

Miku laughed, "I guess I was acting a little odd huh? I just wasn't sleeping very well. Last night I had the best sleep ever." 'Even here we love you. We have been under his cruel rule for far too long.' I wonder what she meant. Who's ruling them? Miku skipped into first and sat at her seat by the window, "Hey Len."

"What's up?" Len turned around as well as he could to look at her.

"What'd we do yesterday?"

"We just kind of talked about Rome."

"Greece silly," Rin corrected.

"Whatever," Len sighed.

Miku nodded, "Okay. Thanks."

Len smiled, "Yep."

Miku turned to the window.

"So you're here today."

Miku turned and saw Kaito sitting in his seat next to her. She shrugged, "I wasn't feeling well yesterday but got better so I came in the later part of the day."

Kaito nodded, "Okay." Is she actually talking to me? That's odd. Well no. Not really. She did talk to me more openly after I helped her down from the water tower.

Miku turned back to the window.

Kaito watched her for a second before looking down at his binder suddenly. Okay. She may not be that annoying but she's still annoying. He nodded to himself.

"Kaito," Mr. Tachibana said.

Kaito looked up, "Yes?"

"Can you sit next to Teto for today at least? She has been having difficulty here lately."

Kaito glanced at Miku. But I want to stay here. "Yes, of course," he nodded and moved to sit next to Teto.

Miku watched him before turning back to the window. Oh well. It's just for today anyway.

"Miku," the teacher called her name.

"Yes?" Miku asked.

"Come up to my desk please."

Did I get in trouble? Miku swallowed nervously and nodded. She walked up to his desk.

"According to the counselor your father wants you to be switched out of PE class but the only free elective for you is this period so you'll be being switched out of this class effective tomorrow."

Miku stared at him. What? But I want to stay here. This is where all my friends are. Why is he doing this to me?! I want to stay in this class. She felt tears welling up behind her eyes. She blinked quickly, "But I like this class."

"The last class is a higher level class which is perfect for you since you grasp things so quickly," Mr. Tachibana assured her.

Miku nodded, "Okay." She nodded again, "That's fine."

Rin and Len stared at her as she walked quietly back to her seat at the window. "Miku?" Rin said quietly.

Miku smiled at her, "I'll still be at lunch. We can talk and hang out then."

Rin nodded sadly.

Miku turned to the window. That pulls me out of the only two classes I have with Kaito.

Kaito watched Miku as she stared out the window.

Teto glanced at him, "What'd the teacher talk to her about?"

Kaito shrugged, "I don't know." I wish I did though.

Miku felt like bursting into tears but knew that wouldn't change anything. She would just have to accept it and continue with school. She'd still be able to have lunch with her friends. It's not the end of the world. I'll be able to talk to them.

"Miku."

Miku turned at the sound of her name. The world faded. The girl from before, stood in front of her, "Hello again."

"I never asked you your name."

"My name is not entirely important," she smiled warmly. Her face suddenly turned serious, "You mustn't be sad. It will only tear away from you what little you still have. Your father is tightening his grip. We can all feel it but this world feels it worse than you do. I'm worried about you. Kaito asked me to help you while he could not. Although he did attack you it was only because the Kaito in your world has spent this time trying to convince himself that you are annoying. It had nothing to do with you really."

Miku stared at her, "He doesn't really think I'm annoying?"

"If he truly had then the Kaito here would've killed you without a second thought," she explained. "Return now."

Miku blinked and saw what was outside the window. She turned and glanced at Kaito. He was helping Teto with her worksheet. Miku stared down at it and realized that she should be working on it. At least I had been facing the window.

"Miku, are you alright?" Rin asked.

She nodded, "Yeah. I just zoned out. Sorry."

"You seem really down now," Len added.

Miku shrugged, "There's still lunch where I can talk to you guys and you live right next door so I'll be okay."

They nodded and turned back to the teacher.

Kaito cocked his head to the side. Wait is she leaving this class? I hope not. She was just starting to talk to me.

Miku walked out of her first class. I'm going to miss this class. But I won't be sad. I'll be okay. She smiled, "C'mon." She walked with Rin and Len to their second class. Hers was right next door. The next two classes till lunch went by slowly. The bell rang and she hurried to the lunch room. I really don't want my classes switched. I kind of want to be able to see them in my classes. I won't have any classes with Rin or Len. I won't be able to get to know Kaito either. Miku sat at their usual table at lunch. What if they replace me?

"Of course. If they replace you then you can just stay here with us."

Miku jumped and the world faded from her vision. She saw the shadows surrounding her. Fear caused her heart rate to pick up. She shook her head, "Look I'm just going to go back into my own world and you're going to leave me alone."

"Oh, but you're so sad. Let us help you."

"We can fix it."

"No you can't. Stay away from me," Miku insisted.

"Why?" they leaped forward.

Miku screamed and curled into a ball.

Rin stared at her, "Miku?"

Len poked her, "Miku?"

Miku didn't respond. Her head was tilted down toward the ground.

"Hey," Rin leaned forward and waved her hand in front of Miku, "Miku."

Miku jumped and looked up but still didn't appear to see them. The sea blue had faded from her eyes and was instead an eclipse.

Len stared at her, "Miku. What's wrong?" He looked at his sister, "Why is she looking like that?"

"I don't know," Rin said worriedly.

"What do we do?" Gumi asked.

"I don't think she can hear us," Neru added.

Rin shrugged.

A cut opened beside Miku's right eye and blood started trickling down the side of her face.

Rin glanced at Len worriedly, "I'm texting Luka."

Len nodded. He looked slightly panicky.

Rin did and then waited impatiently for a response.

Miku jerked and blinked. The eclipse faded and her eyes returned to normal. She wrapped her arms around herself and curled up on the chair. Ow. My whole body hurts. I feel like I've been ripped in half. I'm scared. They're terrifying.

Rin hurried over to her and wrapped her arm around her shoulder, "Are you okay?"

Miku started to cry.

Len crouched beside her on the other side, "Do you want to go home?"

Miku shook her head. I don't want to go home. I'm afraid that if I do they'll pull me out of real school. What if they do? I won't be able to see any of my friends again. She sat up suddenly and her eyes faded into an eclipse.

"Miku," a familiar voice said.

Miku turned, "Dad?"

Her father walked up to her and ran his hand over the cut on the side of her head. His gaze was blank as he looked down at her.

Miku stepped away from him, "Why are you here? I thought-"

"In order to see this place you have to be the child of a being from this realm," he said. He shook his head but his eyes remained blank, "The last girl that was able to do this died here." He looked at her suddenly angry.

Miku stepped back fearfully.

"This is the whole reason we homeschooled you," he snarled.

Miku's eyes widened.

"This is exactly why I switched you out of those classes but you still continue to come here."

"I can't help it. This place scares me and I don't want to be here," Miku stumbled over her words.

He grabbed her wrist and held it in a painfully tight grip.

"Dad this hurts," Miku tried to pull away.

"I tried to protect you from the pain of this place. I wanted you to live a happy life in that world. This world is no place for you," he snarled.

Miku tried to get her hand free of him. That only made his grip on her tighter.

"And you threw it all away," he finished.

Miku shook her head, "Coming here was a complete accident. I don't want to be here. This place scares me."

"Then what about him?" her father conjured a cloud of red smoke. The center of it cleared revealing Kaito hiding from what looked like police. Her eyes widened. Kaito. "He scared me." What about the real Kaito! If that one is destroyed then he'll lose everything that makes him who and what he is. "Please Dad leave him alone."

"Exactly," he snapped, "He may have scared you but now you care for him."

Miku swallowed.

Her father sighed and let go of her, "I'm going to your school. Today is your last day there."

"No!" Miku sat up and blinked. She saw Rin, Len, and Luka leaning over her worriedly.

"Miku!" Len cried.

Rin studied her face carefully.

Miku started to cry, "No."

"'No' what?" Luka asked.

Miku curled into a ball.

"I think we should take her to the office," Len said.

Rin nodded. The two of them helped Miku to her feet. Miku was tired and dizzy. She sat in one of the chairs in the front office. Rin and Len sat on either side of her. Luka sat in front of her, "Hey what's wrong?"

Miku just continued to cry.

Her brother walked in followed by Kaito's brother, "Hey we got here as fast as we could."

Luka nodded.

Mikuo saw his sister crying behind Luka, "What happened?"

Rin and Len gave him the rundown of what happened.

Mikuo kneeled down beside her in front of Rin, "Hey." He wiped her tears away, "What happened?"

The office door opened.

Mikuo turned to see his parents, "What?" He glanced at Rin and Len in confusion.

They looked just as surprised as he felt.

"We're pulling Miku out of this school," their father said.

Miku looked up and wiped her eyes. "I want to stay," she whispered.

"We're pulling you out. It's obvious that this kind of school isn't a good fit for you," her mother said.

"You don't get it!" Miku yelled. She stood up, "Coming here is the only thing that makes me happy anymore! I love my friends and I love school. I want to stay!"

"We are pulling you out," her father insisted.

"Isn't it bad enough that you switched me out of the classes I have with my friends?" Miku asked. She was still crying.

Her father narrowed his eyes, "Miku, this school is not right for you. With the way you're acting it is obviously in your best interests to be homeschooled."

"I want to stay!" Miku insisted, "I want to stay!" Shadowy tendrils spread out from the ground around her feet.

Kaito walked into the office to turn in a substitute attendance sheet. He noticed Miku first and then looked around. His eyes widened, "Maybe I'll come back later?" This does not look good. I'm suddenly really wishing I hadn't interrupted. He started backing towards the door.

"Kaito," Akaito said.

Kaito glanced at him, "Yeah?"

"It's fine. You can turn it in."

Kaito glanced from Miku to her father and back again.

"I want to stay," Miku whispered.

Kaito glanced at the ground around Miku. Please tell me I'm not the only one seeing those shadows. I really do hope I'm not the only one.

"I'm sorry but you can't," her mother said gently, "Please calm down. You can still visit your friends."

Miku shook her head, "I want to stay here. I want to see them every day. This is where I'm happy."

"You aren't staying."

"But I want to! This is what I want. This is my life to live!" Miku cried.

"But you're throwing it away," her father retaliated.

Miku felt her legs growing weak, "I want to be in real school! I don't want to be locked up in the house anymore! You can't just do that!" She fell to her knees, "You can't do that." She closed her eyes and fell sideways.

Her brother caught her. He glanced from her to their parents and back again.

Her father turned and removed Miku from the school.

Kaito stared at him. But she wants to stay. Why can't they just let her stay?

"Why are you pulling her out?" Mikuo asked.

"Because this kind of school is obviously not well suited for her."

"Why? Because she started having those freaky vision like things?" Mikuo snapped.

"Don't argue with me," their father warned.

"I am arguing with you because you're ruining my sister's life! She obviously doesn't want this," Mikuo growled.

"It's what's best for her," their mother insisted.

"Why?" Mikuo asked. "Why is it best?"

"We do not need to be talking about this here," her father growled with barely contained anger.

"Take your sister to the car and we'll discuss this when we get home," their mother said.

Kaito watched them leave with wide eyes.