Chapter two! Yay... fun. Hope you enjoy it! : )


It's been three months since I've last seen Rin and Len.

Three months since I've been living alone.

Three months…

Three months….

Three months… of misery.

I've been so lonely; it feels like I'm the only one on the planet. On top of that, I had to work twice as hard to pay for the shack I was living in. Yes, it's basically a shack. It's not worthy of being called a house. And yet, it still costs a ton! I had a permanent job though, and laugh if you must, but I am a street performer, working in the city. Doesn't make much money, and yet easy to do. I loved seeing the faces of young children light up when I preformed. I preformed with two things, orange ribbons (Which went nicely with the dress I decided to keep after the 'incident'), and you guessed it, knifes. It's ironic, right? (Just like most things in my life) But anyway, this new 'job' I got was really tiring. Add that to the no sleep thing and you've got….an exhausted Hikari! Yay! (You caught the sarcasm, right?) This is the third week of it. Yeah, not fun. I was actually glad I finally reached the shack (Which is like a mile or two from the city.) I collapsed onto my 'bed' *CoughStackofhayCough*, but didn't fall asleep, as usual. I didn't even bother taking off my work clothes, which were the same from the 'incident', oh and if you were wondering, that did include my tie. I lay there, staring up at the ceiling, taking deep breaths. Suddenly, my eyes started to feel like weights. Am I going to sleep? More like pass out. But that's okay, I guess, because passing out doesn't include dreaming, and if it doesn't include dreaming, I won't have nightmares. Maybe… It would be okay… to sleep…or pass out…for just a couple of… hours…
That thing about having a dreamless sleep?

I was wrong.

I was definitely wrong. I sprang up, gasping for air. I basically ran out of bed, and poured myself a glass of water. I sat at the table, drinking some water, then gently putting the glass on the table, and tracing the top of it with my finger. That was a bad dream. Worse than usual. I suddenly got chills, so I turned toward my only window, and found it open. That's odd; I don't remember opening the window… I probably just forgot. I shook off that weird feeling you get when you know something's wrong, got up, and close the window tightly. I dragged myself to the table again, and sat down once more, laying my head on the table. I was tired, but I wasn't going to sleep. It was then I heard five words I thought I'd never hear again.

"So, who is the culprit?" His light melody.

I fell out of my chair. Turning around, I saw him sitting on the windowsill to the window I just closed, glaring at me dangerously. The moon was lighting up half of him, and trust me, he looked terrifying. I blinked once. Twice. Three times. He was still there.

"W-what are you doing here?" I asked, little confidence present in my voice. He smirked.

"I'm a messenger." I shook my head in confusion.

"M-messenger?" He ignored my question.

"You better run, because when I find you, I'll kill you. From Rin." He smiled evilly. I gasped shortly.

"I knew I'd get caught!"

"Well duh. You lied to me too."

"Wait, I didn't tell you I'd send you a letter, did I?"

"That's right, I know your secr- wait, what?"

"Yeah, that's what she's mad about right? She told me to send her letters if we ever got separated the day before the... 'Incident' at the mansion happened, and well…I haven't been faithful. Mostly because I can't pay for mail and I didn't know where you guys were…But still!"

"What? No, no! We know you lied!" Now I was confused.

"Lied? About what?"

"Don't play innocent with me!" He snapped.

"I'm not; I really have no idea what you're talking about!" I countered. He got up and made his way over to me angrily. He easily towered over me.

"Really?" He growled. I gulped, but nodded. "Then you don't know your parents are alive?"

. . .

"What?"

"They faked their death." I was frozen in place. "They also said you ran away." He added. I blinked once. Twice. Three times. It was still real.

"What?" I could feel a tear roll down my face.

"Oh…hmm, either you a very good actress, or you really didn't know…" I wanted to slap him. But I didn't. No, I'm a good person like that. That and, I was still frozen in place.

They were alive.

They faked their own deaths.

They made me go through all of that,

Alone.

And they say I ran away?

The world turned black as I fell to the ground, but I felt two arms catch me before I fell into the unconscious. Oh no. You know what this means?

Nightmares.

I waited for them to come, but they never did. Instead, I was surrounded by darkness, only able to see myself. I started to hear voices… That wasn't a good sign.

"That's a reason to go insane…" A memory of that night replied. I laughed openly. The voice came back.

"Oh? So you're awake?" It asked.

"Awake? I can't see anything… I'm dreaming, aren't I?" I asked quietly. The voice laughed.

"Alright, so you're still half-asleep." It chuckled.

"Wha-?"

"So, you really didn't know?" It asked quickly. I stopped out of confusion.

"You know, I can't really answer your question without knowing what you're talking about, voice in my head…"

"Well I meant- Voice in your head?"

"Yeah. That's what you are right? I can't see anything…so…"

"Just because you can't see anything, doesn't mean I'm a voice in your head." It explained.

"Well then, what are you?"

"I think the right question would be: who am I?" I rolled my eyes.

"Alright, alright, who are you?"

"Someone."

"Wow, that's so helpful Len." I stopped short. The voice didn't answer. "Sorry, I kind of remember thinking that a couple months ago, and since this would fit a similar time, it kind of slipped out." I explained nervously. The voice didn't answer. "Uhhhh, voice?"

"I told you to stop calling me the voice in your head." It snapped.

"Sorry, you just kind of went silent, and I still don't know who you are…"

"You know, I'm beginning to think you are a very good actress…"

"Wha-? Len?"

"Present."

"Wha- What are you doing in my head?" I asked embarrassed. Was I seriously dreaming about him?

"I'm not in your head. I'm outside of your head, in front of you to be exact." ?

"What are you talking about? There's no one in front of me!" I shouted. Things seemed to freeze.

"Don't shout, people are sleeping." He scolded. I shut my mouth immediately.

"Why didn't you tell me that?" I whispered. He laughed.

"You don't have to whisper, we're not in a town."

"Then where are we?" I asked quietly, in fear of waking people from their sleep.

"I don't really know...we're in the woods, that's for sure..."

"Really? I can't see anything so..."

"Ah."

Silence.

"Hey Len?

"Yes?"

"Why do you... well why did you start...uh why do-" I was cut short.

"Why did I start killing and are still killing?" ...mind reader.

"Y-yeah." I replied nervously. What if he explodes on me? And gets angry? He's a killer, and I have no idea where I am, let alone what's around me. Wouldn't you be nervous?

"Well, I won't tell you why I started, and I kill to save people."

"What?"

"Yes, I usually, well we usually, Rin and I, kill the greedy and rich. That way it saves the poor, working people, as yourself, and that way everyone is happy."

"Everyone except the people that are killed."

"Precisely."

"Ah."

"Yes but, That's not so good news for you, though."

"Why is that?"

"Well, your parents, they are greedy and rich..." I stayed silent. "And if they do not change their ways in a month or so, they will be taken care of." He added quickly.

"Oh."

"That's it?" He asked with disbelief.

"Uh-huh." Silent minutes passed by. "Wait, so why did you try to kill me?"

"You were caught in the middle as a witness, how could we have kept you alive?"

"But... you did."

"Yes, because we knew you wouldn't tell anyone." Hesitation was laced in his voice.

"No you didn't." I accused quietly. He stayed quiet. Silent minutes passed by. "Um, Len?" I decided to break the ice.

"Hmm?"

"My parents are... alive, right?" He was relieved, I could tell.

"Yes." He answered easily.

"So, what do they have to do with you and Rin?"

"They hired us." He answered simply.

"Hired?"

"I do actually work as a detective, you know." He laughed. I ignored his comment.

"For what, Len?" He stopped laughing.

"For your dissapearance, Hikari." I stopped.

"What do you mean, my dissapearance?" I asked suspiciously. He changed the subject quickly.

"Do you remember anything of your past except the night they 'died'?" He rushed. I thought about it for a while... I blinked once. Twice. Three times. I couldn't remember.

"No... Well, except being rejected by my relatives, but...no." I answered in a whisper. I can't believe I didn't notice that! How could I miss it? IT'S MY LIFE! My thoughts were *fortuneatley* inturrupted by Len.

"Oh, well, that tells us something."

"About what?" I asked through my inner panic.

"There's a different story behind the one they gave me."

"Which was?"

"That when they 'died', it was arranged for your aunt to take you in, which she did, but then you ran away for reasons unknown." I blinked once. Twice. Three times. They blamed me? I stayed completely silent.

"Hikari, it's time to wake up." Len said after what felt like hours.

"Huh?"

"We're here."

"Where?"

"Your parent's castle." I stopped. "Hikari!" He snapped. I sighed and tried to open my eyes. My head dropped to a side in the real world.

"I can't."

"Fine, I'll help." Why I suddenly felt like something bad was about to happen was beyond me, but the next feeling I got was...not pleasant. It was cold. And wet. I opened my eyes, finally waking up, but still drowsy. I immediatley fell out of that state when I realized where I was.

Under Water.

I swam up and broke the surface quickly. I gasped for air. That was... surprising. I looked around to see I was in a gentle river. How did I get here? It was morning, too. I looked to my left to see I huge, gaping castle. Suddenly, a figure emerged from under water next to me.

Len.

"What did you-"

"I dropped you in the river."

"Wh-"

"You wouldn't wake up."

"Why are you in the rive-"

"I had to catch you."... Mind reader. I blushed and quickly looked away. He swam out to the edge of the river bank, and then pulled himself out. "Are you coming?" I nodded quickly and swam to the edge, copying his actions. "Alright, lets' go." He trotted away, up to the castle doors.

"Wait, Len! You can't go inside like that!" He stopped in his tracks.

"Why not?" He asked as he looked over his shoulder.

"We are both soaking wet! We'll track water which sometime, some one will slip because of! Do you want someone to slip and possibly get injured because of us?" He shook his head.

"Fine, fine." He sighed and stode up to the doors anyway. I was about to protest, but he opened the doors, not stepping in, and yelled.

"RIN! Bring us some clothes!" I blinked once. Twice. Three times.

"Was that really necessary?" I asked from behind him. He nodded in reply. Suddenly, Rin appeared at the door with clothes in her hands. She was as fast as her brother. She was stil looking at the clothes in her hand. I smiled widely, completely fogetting that my parents were inside those castle doors somewhere.

"Nii-san, you didn't-" She was cut off by Len.

"No Rin. I dropped her into a river, then went to get her." He explained in a rush, his face red. Her eyes finally met mine, but she glared. The smile on my face was wiped off when she lunged out and put a scratch on my cheek. It was in the exact same place Len put one three months ago, except it was on the other cheek. Len jumped out and prevented her from attacking me further.

"She didn't know." He hissed in her ear. I could still hear it. Her eyes widened, and the blade in her hand dropped to the floor, alond with the clothes she brought us.

"I'm sorry!" She squeaked. I smiled again.

"Don't be. I'd be pretty mad too." She smiled and tackled me in a hug.

"I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." I sighed and hugged her back. Well, there goes trying to keep her dry.

"Hey, why didn't I get a hug?" Len asked.

"Well, you might of, if it wasn't for the fact that you scared me to death and then made me pass out." I answered slyly.

"I did not make you pass out! But, I really scared you?"

"Well, duh. That's what happens when you magically appear in someone's house when they've lock all doors."

"You left a window open." He smiled. I frowned. Did I really forget to close the window? Rin gasped and hit Len.

"Len what did I tell you about sneaking into people's houses?" Len glared at me. I stuck my tongue out at him in reply. That's when I got hit in the head.

"Hikari, don't stick your tongue out at people." Len snickered, but then was hit in the head once again. "Len, don't laugh at other peoples misfortune." Rin scolded. Her eyes traveled to something that was poking out of my dress pocket. "Hikari, what is that?"

"Uh..." It was my perfomance equipment, or Ribbons and knifes. Well, actually, the knifes were two kunai I found in atree one day. They were suddenly snatched away. I whipped my head to where Len was examining them. Each kunai was tied to and end of the orange ribbon, creating a weapon-like graceful thing.

"Why do you have knifes tied to the ends of ribbons?" He asked as his eyes flashed up to mine.

"I, uh, preform." I answered lamely. They both gave me a look that said 'yeah, that doesn't explain why you have weapons on you. Keep going.' "With, ribbons...and knifes." Rin sighed and took them from Len, but didn't return them to me either.

"You won't need these anymore..." She trailed as she put them into her pocket. I frowned, but then suddenly remembered where were. Rin looked apologetically to me. "Sorry, Hikari, I didn't have any clothes that fit you, I didn't bring much here and these are Len's." I smiled.

"That's okay, I'll just ring out here." I replied as I attemted to dry my clothes.

"I've got a quicker way..." Len trailed as he smiled. I frowned.

"What?" I asked cautiously. He snatched back my kunai/ribbons from Rin's pocket.

"Run." He whispered to me. My eyes widened.

"You wouldn't." The tree behind me was stabbed. I took off running. Why does this always happen? Well, it's happened the other time, when I met Len, but still. He was right pn my tail, and I was slowing down because A) This dress is heavy when wet, B) I am way too tired, and C) Did I mention I was tired? On my little 'run' I did notice the dress getting lighter though, so that was a plus. I'm sure it looked amusing to others in the castle, looking out the window to see a girl being chased by a psycho (Which they would probably pass off as 'playing') Then, I tripped. I know, your probably thinking : What are you, stupid? There is a maniac trying to kill you, and you trip?...Okay, maybe not. (I'm not a mind reader like Len) I rolled on my back to see Len, blocking my sunlight.

"See, you're almost practically dry!" He laughed. I galred at him, the pulled myself up.

"Hikari, let's go!" Rin yelled from the doors. I nodded and stode up to her, Len right behind me. We walked down these very expensive looking hallways. We came up to these giant doors, and I could hear voices behind them. I didn't want to go in. I was too nervous. Rin and Len sent eachother a look, and using thier twin-lepathy, grabbed my arms and started to open the doors. It was bright in there, and I had to blink a couple of times to adjust to the light. They both dragged me in without stopping, then let me go when we were in front of a few people. They looked like royalty, a King, a queen, some princesses, and more equally dressed people. I blinked once. Twice. Three times. They were all there. All of my family. They all had golden hair and blue eyes.

"Oh my daughter, Hikari!" My mother gushed, but not leaving her seat. My eyes watered.

"M-mom? Dad?" I asked, looking at both of them. They were the king and queen.

"Thank you for bringing my daughter back to us, detective. You and your sister may leave now." My father told them sternly.

"Of course sir, but, don't be surprised if we come back." Len replied smoothly. Dad raised an eyebrow.

"Really! Why?" My older sister asked dreamily, with stars in her eyes.

"There is a suspect for your daughter's kidanppers."

"Kidnappers?" My aunt asked suspiciously.

"Yes, there is evidence that she was taken, and did not run away." Len replied smoothly.

"Very well, now you may leave." My father said again. Len bowed and Rin curtsied.

"Of course, sir." They replied. Rin turned toward me and hugged me once again.

"Don't worry, we'll see eachother soon!" She whispered into my ear. I nodded sadly as tears fell out of my eyes.

"See ya, Hikari." Len sais simply, and then turned and walked away with his sister. The doors closing echoed in my mind. I turned back to my family. Not only did the mood seem to change, but they were now glaring at me.

"We hoped you were dead." My older sister hissed. I gasped and turned my gaze to everyone else in the room.

"Is that true?" I asked slowly.

"Yes, you retched wentch! How sad, we have found you again as a poor person. No one in our family is poor! You are no longer our daughter!" My father sneered. I shook my head.

"I don't understand..."

"Oh well dear, we'll keep her as entertainment." My mother sighed. My teeth clentched.

"But, you faked your death...why?" My father rose and stormed up to me.

"You will not ask questions to the superiors!" he yelled and rose his hand. A slap echoed through the room. I fell to the floor. I blinked once. Twice. Three times. I remembered.

My parents hate me. My family hated me. They abused me all the time. The faking their death? To get rid of me, finally. I was too different. I was a mistake. I looked towards the doors again.

My only friends, Rin and Len (Well, I don't know if Len is my friend..), walked out of those doors moments ago. They walked out and took my happiniess, hope, and courage away.

I blinked once. Twice. Three times.

This is going to be a long month.


Haha, I lied. It's a three shot. I decided to split the ending. The next chapter will come out in a few hours!