S'up, lovelies. I can't think of anything important to mention in this A/N, so let's move on to this crackalackin' story (Madagascar reference, woo). Chapter 4 already. Man, I started this story YESTERDAY, and I'm already on Chapter 4. dear God, I love my job. Not bad for a 12 year old, huh? YEAH YOU HEARD.
~Chapter Four: Killer on the Loose?~
~Random Police Officer's POV (Let's Call Him Officer R.P.O.)~
"Kamui Gakupo, aged 30 years. Cause of death..." I slip my notebook into my pocket. "Animal attack."
"Was there any clue as to what animal it was?"
"No. The job was impeccably done. In fact, the only sign that an animal had been there at all were the deep teethmarks in the victim's neck."
"Time of death?"
"Around midday today."
"Good work, R.P.O. It's time to hand over to the forensic scientists," my work partner nods.
"Yes."
"It sure is a pity about this guy...he was the mayor, right?"
"Yup."
"Whoever killed him sure is a monster," he says, shaking his head. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch sight of a small shadow on the roof of a nearby building. A pair of red eyes glint back at me, staring.
"What the..?" I whisper, training my gun on the spot. The shadow suddenly jolts, disappearing before I can shoot. "Damn...what do you think that was?"
"I have no idea," my work partner replies. "No clue whatsoever."
~Shion Len's POV~
"What on earth?!" I say, picking up a newspaper at a nearby stand. Newly printed, obviously. I've been searching for Rin for hours, and it seems she's nowhere to be found. I won't give up, though...but the headline on the newspaper still halts me in my tracks.
VILLAGE MAYOR FOUND DEAD: ANIMAL ATTACK SUSPECTED
Not long after midday today, the body of much loved village mayor, Kamui Gakupo, aged 30, was found amidst a pile of books in the village hall. Although no obvious evidence was left at the scene, deep bite marks in the Mr. Kamui's neck indicated a violent animal attack. The animal was not caught, however, so the public are advised to be on their guard. The police force are unable to issue a clear statement on what this animal looks like, or whether it was an animal, or some brutal beast with a thirst for human blood. The public are advised to look out for suspicious shadows, as the animal has been discovered to prefer the dark, thanks to a report from one particular officer inspecting the crime scene. Also, the officer in question told our reporter that the animal is quite small in structure, with blood red eyes and the speed and agility of a ninja. If such animal is sighted, the public are advised to contact a member of the police force. Since this attack, police officers have been stationed on most roads around the village. Do not approach this creature under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. This animal is highly dangerous, and approaching it puts your life and others at risk. The police force would like to thank the general public for its cooperation during a more thorough investigation.
"What a depressing article. This animal must be pretty dangerous if even the police can't find it," I say to myself, momentarily sidetracked. "Wait...Rin's still out there! She could get hurt or killed with this animal about! I have to find her..."
"No need," a familiar voice says. I whirl to see Rin standing in the archway behind me.
"Rin!" She steps forward and smiles, her eyes only showing the faintest tint of red. Her creamy skin is clear of black veins, and she looks...well, like Rin. I rush to her, grabbing her shoulders. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
"No, of course not," she says, smiling. I study her for a second, my eyes trailing from the top of her head, the bow in her hair not even slightly out of place, down to her face, continuing until my eyes fall onto her hands, palms down.
"Rin...show me your hands," I instruct.
"No, it's fine, Len!"
"Show me your hands!" I hiss, turning her palms up and almost fainting with shock. Her hands are covered in blood, some dried, some still fresh. What the hell?! "Rin..."
"It's not what it looks like!"
"What have you done?" I ask, completely shocked. My mind goes back to the newspaper article. Oh...snap. "Rin, you...you killed someone?"
"No! Len, you know it's not my fault! I-"
"You did do it," I murmur, staring at her.
"Len.."
"When are you going to stop lying to me?" Rin freezes, watching me with eyes like saucers.
"I...Len..."
"Don't 'Len' me! This isn't funny anymore!"
"It wasn't funny to begin with, Len! I hate to remind you, but you're not the one that's got the damn curse!"
"No, but I am the one who's expected to stand here and watch while you throw your life away!" Rin stares at me, almost in tears.
"Why...why do you think I ran away? It wasn't to hurt you. It was to stop myself from hurting you.."
"What...what did you say?"
"I figured it was easier to just run, rather than drag you along with me. It'd just make it worse, having you keep seeing me like this.."
"But...Rin...why did you murder the mayor?"
"I...I don't know...it was like I wasn't me anymore...I wasn't Kagamine Rin...but I remember...when he was...dying," she choked on that word. "He called me...'aku no musume'. Daughter of evil...I guess it kinda fits."
"Rin, you're not evil," I assure her. "You're just...Rin."
"For how much longer?" she says suddenly. I watch her, surprised. "Len...I don't want to be like this anymore! I want to just be a normal girl!"
"You are a normal girl," I reply. "I'll find a way to stop this. I promise you."
"But.." she whispers. "What if there is no way to stop it?"
"I'll make it stop, if that's the case. I'm not letting you go, Rin. No chance." Rin's eyes flicker red. "Control it, Rinny. Remember who you are." Her eyes fade to blue, without the slightest trace of crimson.
"I remember who I am," she says softly. "But for how long?"
~Kagamine Rin's POV~
Len tries to keep me distracted for the remainder of the day; he treats me to a gorgeous meal at a sweet little restaurant that overlooks the sea, and gives me his coat when it gets chilly. Just before sunset, we head down to the beach, splashing each other and laughing. I lay back on the sand, watching the skies. "Sure is nice down here," I sigh. Len flops down beside me.
"Yeah," he agrees. "I could just stay here all day...hey, Rin. The sun's setting!" I sit up, and we watch the orange ball of light settle below the horizon. It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Len's right. We could just lay here forever. The waves are just a few metres away, lapping gently.
Len suddenly props himself up on one elbow, watching me. I look back at him. "What?"
"Huh?"
"You're staring at me," I answer, blinking.
"I am?"
"Yeah."
"Oh." He blushes. "Sorry." He doesn't turn away. In fact, he leans closer to me. Oh, dear GOD, what is he DOING?! He smiles at me, pushing a stray strand of my hair back from my face. Oh my gosh...oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh. DAMN IT, RIN, NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO BE BLUSHING. But...seriously, what is he doing? He leans closer. My breath catches in my throat.
Closer. My blood pounds in my veins.
Closer. My heartbeat sounds like the blades of a helicopter. A loud one.
Closer...then he laughs. Wait, laughs?! Suddenly, I'm caught in the face by a splash of ice cold water. "Gotcha!" Len grins.
"I'm gonna...I'm gonna MURDER YOU!" I yell. Len gulps, standing up and backing away...towards the sea. Big mistake, Lenny boy. My foot catches a wave as it crashes, and Len's drenched. Owned.
"Oh, my God, it's FREEZING," Len squeals like a girl.
"Ah, jeez, what's wrong? Lenny boy not like the cold?" I grin, scooping up water. "Pity."
We spend ages just chasing each other around the beach, soaking each other and wearing ourselves out. I start to lose my concentration after about ten minutes. This is mainly because Len takes off his shirt. Yes, I am that pathetic. Judge me not. OH, COME ON, YOU'D BE FANGIRLING TOO- not that I am fangirling. No way. Nuh-uh. Not happening. No. But c'mon. He is pretty hot, especially with his shirt off- SHUT UP, SHUT UP, YOU IDIOT. Ahem. ANYWAY. When I compose myself and stop my eyes bugging out of my head, I sink down onto the sand again, taking in the rays. A shirtless Len drops down beside me. "Well, that was fun," he comments.
"I totally won that," I grin.
"Yeah, sure."
"You challenging me?"
"What do you think?" he grins back.
"Oh, you are asking for it!" I laugh. I try to shove him, but he catches my hands and gives me a yank. Suddenly, we're rolling over across the beach, mock-wrestling like little kids. I manage to hold him down for a few seconds, but then he laughs and turns suddenly, pinning me down on the sand. It takes me a few seconds to register that Shion Len is on top of me. Pinning me down. WAIT A SECOND. "What are you doing?"
"Wrestling?" he replies innocently. I struggle against his hold, only half playing around.
"No, I mean, why the heck are you on top of me?" Len freezes. He gets it too, slowly. Well done, Einstein.
"Sorry," he yelps, jumping up and pulling his damp shirt back on. I look at him, bewildered. So weird. "Anyway, it's dark. We'd better get back home." Home. Not 'back to the house'. Back home. Why is that weird to me? I think I'm just a very mentally disturbed girl. That would clear up a lot.
~Shion Len's POV~
~TimeSkip~
"Len."
"Mm?"
"Can I sleep with you tonight?"
"Sure," I say. Her small body slides beneath the covers. My arms wrap around her automatically. I'm her protector. It's my job to look after her when things like this happen. I close my eyes again.
"Len."
"Yes?"
"Will you sing to me?" I look at her in the darkness, puzzled.
"Sing to you?"
"Yeah," she whispers.
"Um...what song?"
"Any song."
"Umm...okay, then..." I search my mind for songs. "Aha, I got one...you ready, Rin?" Silence. "Rin?" I look down at her to see that she's already asleep. Aww...she's cute when she's sleeping. Yeah, I didn't just say that. Okay, fine. But that's just between us.
~Kagamine Rin's POV~
~TimeSkip: The Date~
"Your white knight's here," Len mutters, looking out of the window. I smooth down the red dress I'm wearing, self-consciously checking my reflection. "You look fine, don't worry." He quickly hugs me as I walk to the door. "Have fun."
"Thank you," I reply. Len opens the door for me, and I step out to see Piko waiting...on horseback? I'm not imagining it; there's a huge copper coloured horse waiting at the end of the path, tossing its head and flipping its silky mane. Piko drops onto his feet.
"Hello, Rin. You look gorgeous," he says, kissing my hand. Not blushing. Not blushing. Hey, I'm actually not blushing. Weeiiiirdd...
"Thanks," I smile. He looks cute in a smart shirt and trousers.
"Well, shall we go?" he asks.
"Sure."
~TimeSkip~
Worst. Date. Ever.
It's not that Piko isn't a nice guy. He is. It's my own fault the date doesn't go well, because no matter what happens, I can't stop thinking...thinking about what's gonna happen in the future...the curse, everything. One thought stands out to me. The only problem is that it's the worst thought I can possibly be thinking during a date with Piko.
I am of course talking about Shion Len. Awkward, right?
"That was fun," Piko comments as we stand at the end of the lane. Our fingers are twined together. "You're a great girl, Rin."
"Thank you," I giggle, blushing. Piko smiles, his eyes shining in the moonlight. He leans his head towards mine and kisses me on the lips softly. Then he smiles again, bows, and climbs up onto his horse.
"We should do this again sometime," he nods. I stare after him as he rides away, bewildered. Cute guy, just kissed me. Wow. I smile, turning on my heel, and head back inside.
The first thing I notice is that Len is nowhere to be seen. The second thing I notice is that the living room is slightly trashed. There's a smashed bottle on the counter, and there's an actual hole in the plaster of the wall. What on earth..? "Len?" No answer. "Len, are you okay?" Silence. "LEN!"
"Quit yelling...I'm in here," he calls from his bedroom. I sigh in relief, and head through into his room.
"You scared me- Len, what's wrong?" I say, alarmed. Len is sitting with his back to me, his hair scruffy, his shirt loose. "Len?"
"Nothing, go away," he mutters, surprising me.
"Len, tell me what's wrong."
"Leave me alone."
"No," I say, walking over and sitting next to him. He looks away, but I cup his chin with my hand and turn his face towards me. "Len..." There are dark circles under his eyes, and I can smell alcohol. "Len, have you been drinking?"
"Why do you care?"
"Of course I care!" I splutter. "I lo- I...Len, why have you been drinking? You look ill!"
"I worried."
"That's all, huh?"
"Okay, fine. FINE. I'll tell you. I missed you, okay? I thought this Piko dude was gonna whisk you off your feet and you'd never come back. There, I said it."
I burst out laughing. "Oh, Len, you idiot! Of course I wouldn't just leave you. If you must know, I was thinking about you the entire time." He looks at me.
"What?"
"You heard me. I missed you too. How was I meant to survive without my favourite crazy idiot?" Len sighs. I rest my head on his shoulder.
"It was hard for me, too. How could I ever live without my favourite annoying blonde girl?" A ghost of a smile flickers over his features.
"Who, me?" I say innocently. He looks at me. I look at him. Damn it, kiss me, you idiot. Ah, jeez...why are boys such idiots? Oh, wait. Len leans towards me. I TAKE IT BACK. His lips are only inches from mine. OKAY, I LIED, HE'S NOT AN IDIOT.
"Did Piko kiss you?" he suddenly asks. And...there it is again. Idiots.
"Why?"
"Just asking."
"Well...yeah, he did. First kiss, for me."
"Wow."
"So you've had others?"
"Nope. Well, one, but that was in preschool so I don't think it counted, considering we were five." That just makes me giggle. "So, you and Piko, huh?"
"Don't tell him I said this...he's cute and all, but I really don't think it's gonna work."
"Did he hurt you?"
"No," I reply, rolling my eyes. So overprotective. "We just have nothing in common."
"Ah." Is that a hint of hope I sense there, Lenny?
~Shion Len's POV~
"Ah." Damn, stop sounding so hopeful!
"Why?" she asks.
"Um.."
"You jealous?"
"W-what?!" She grins wickedly.
"Kidding, Len." Oh, boy. Rin smiles at me. Again with the staring, Len? Sheesh, you need better self-control. YOU ARE NOT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. Rin leans closer to me, her head on my shoulder. Oh, man. Should I kiss her? What if...OKAY, LEN, NO. JUST NO. "Well...I'd better go. You need anything?"
"Go?"
"To bed, silly."
"Oh." LEN. FOR GOD'S SAKE. CONTROL YOURSELF. "No, I don't need anything." My head is pounding from the alcohol, and Rin sees it.
"Yeah, sure." She rolls her eyes. "Stand up."
"W-what?!"
"Just do it," she replies. I oblige, confused. Rin unbuttons my shirt.
"W-WHAT ARE YOU-"
"I'm helping you. What the heck did you think I was doing?" She raises her eyebrows. Oh, lord. Busted.
"N-nothing."
"Right." She pulls off my shirt, folding it and dropping it into the laundry basket. I unbutton and remove my trousers, and Rin pulls back the covers like I'm a little kid, tucking me in. "Alrighty then. Night, Lenny." She leans down and kisses my forehead, leaving silently. I sigh as I watch her go. DAMN, LEN. IF YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR SHEETS TOMORROW I SWEAR TO GOD. Alrighty, CONTROL...that's better. That was nice, though. I wonder if Rin will have another nightmare tonight...LEN. YOU DIRTY MINDED LITTLE...
"Night, Rin." Idiot.
I JUST HAD TO DO THAT IN THE LAST PARAGRAPH. It's a basic tribute to Emma. I included a M scene in one of my serious stories to apologise for what I did to her on Facebook last night. OKAY, IN MY DEFENCE, YOU GAVE ME THE SURNAME. Anyway, I hope y'all liked that chapter. I know it's not very long at all, compared to the 4K of one of my other chapters, but I was struggling a little at this inbetween stage. I chucked in a kiss for Piko x Rin, and just to get Len a little jelly of them. MAYBE THIS WILL CONVINCE HIM TO TAKE THINGS FURTHER?
Hehe, I'm not telling. Sorry, Emma. Until next time, ladies and gentlemen. I have to go report to my M Master, Mrs Palmer. *COUGH* EMMA.
Sorry.
