Chapter 4

Days have passed but the sores and bruises on my body still remained. I could hardly move around but who was I to complain? At times like this, Arisa would usually come to comfort me but not this time. Though I did not blame her, she shouldn't be aiding or even be associated with a lowly slave. It did puzzle me though; the fact that I would always end up alone.

Carefully, I lifted the bowl of hot soup but the pain in my wrist was too much. The bowl dropped onto the floor, shattering into millions of pieces and the hot soup spilled all over my silk kimono, slightly burning my skin. I heard a gasp behind me; it was one of the maids. "Oh dear God. What happened?" her voiced yelled, catching attention to those outside.

"The bowl! That was an antique Chinese bowl, a gift from the master's acquaintance. How did this happen?" a woman ran into the kitchen and kneeled down in front of the shattered glass.

"And your robes! They are ruined! Stained! This is not good...they were high quality silk."

"F-forgive me. I didn't mean to-" I held my hands to my chest. I got down to my knees to pick up the broken pieces of glass but a voice spoke, "Leave it. We wouldn't want you to mess things up again." I pulled my hand away.

"The master's acquaintance is here!" a girl ran in panting hard.

"What? Who?"

She glared and said, "The one from the Imperial Court, with blonde hair. I told him that the Master was out today but he told me he would wait and he's requesting Rin's company."

They immediately turned to me and it took me a few seconds to realize. "Me? But why?" It was strange that Kagamine-sama wanted me of all people to accompany him though it was probably because he thinks that I am Hiragi-sama's relative. Despite that, I can't stop the excitement in my heart.

...

"Forgive me for keeping you waiting Kagamine-sama," I placed the scented candle onto the table carefully.

"You remember my name," he said softly. It made me surprised and I turned to look at him. His sad turquoise eyes glowed through that mask as he held my gaze. Why did he have such a sad look in his eyes?

"O-of course I do. You do work under the ministry of justice after all besides being an acquaintance of Hiragi-sama," I said as I nervously poured tea for him, avoiding eye contact.

When I pulled back, he gazed at the tea silently. I began to wonder if I had said anything wrong but he suddenly reached to the back of his head with his right hand and swiftly untied the knot of his mask. I watched in amazement as he slowly pulled the mask away from his handsome face.

"Oh wait!" I accidentally yelled protesting and started to blush when he completely froze. "Forgive my rudeness. What I meant to do was stop you from removing your mask," I bowed slightly.

Despite my protest, he pulled it off, revealing his mesmerizing features that hid behind the mask. His hair settled messily on his face, windowing his sharp and beautiful emerald eyes. Kagamine-sama blew up frustratingly on his messy hair. It was odd to be fascinated with someone who looked exactly like you but it didn't matter.

Then he looked at me and I froze. "I hide this face for my safety and to prevent any unnecessary complications but since you have seen me before, there would be no point to even try to."

"What if I am a traitor of the kingdom? Why do you not doubt me?"

Len laughed. "Why would a good-natured girl who could hardly talk louder like you would want to bring harm to me?" he continued on, "besides, how would I drink this tea that you've made troublesomely for me with this darn mask on?"

My head dropped down and my whole face turned bright red. Oh how embarrassing! Then I heard his voice spoke again, "Do not question me why I am telling you this and you must never speak of this to anyone but...you remind me very much of my sister." Right then my eyes widened in surprise. And I thought to myself, could it really be? After all these years, I felt hesitant but excited to find out. "Do you remember the first time we met each other at the garden? When you looked up, for a second there I thought it was her."

My heart started thumping rapidly against my chest. Could it be? Does he know?

"She was cheerful and shy but sometimes very stubborn. In fact, she would protest every time I was about to leave. I could not leave her, not even a few minutes," he said teasingly, "to be completely honest, she was much livelier than you are now but I don't mean that in an offensive way."

"What happened?" I forced myself to ask that teeth-gritting question and trying to avoid him being suspicious of me. My body started to tremble a little bit from the fear of what he might say.

Kagamine-sama looked out the window as the breeze came passing by. "Something happened and I had to leave. I was not given the choice but I left her there. I regret every day that passed by without her with me," he then turn to me with a fiery and determined look in his eyes, "that's why I am going back prepared. I will not leave without her, not for the second time...not for the world."

"You must really cherish her," I said as I silently move to the koto that was placed close to me. I ran a finger on one of its strings admiringly and looked up, "may I?"

His nod looked very curious. I picked on each string caringly and lovingly as I played the familiar melody that hummed in my mind for years. For that moment, I started to forget about the handsome young man that sat before me and the horrible life I was living now. All those sweet memories and moments of the Len I used to know and grew up with came flying back to me. The things we smiled, cried, laughed and screamed about...the moments when life seemed so hard to live, we made it through together. Now I just miss them all. I just want my big brother back beside me. I know that questioning fate was a very big sin but I can't help but wonder why.

"Len, hey, Len...Len! Are you listening to me?" I gazed down on his face, his eyes were closed but he had a small smile. "Stop pretending to be asleep. You've been lying down on my lap for hours now and my legs are starting to feel numb."

I pouted angrily as he kept his little act and flicked a finger on his forehead. "Ouch! That hurt, Rin," he rubbed his reddened forehead.

"You can be such a brat sometimes," I sighed.

He sat up and stole a quick peck on my nose. "You still love me though," he laughed.

I hit his arm teasingly. "Of course I love you but we will get in trouble with the mistress if we don't get back to the house now."

Then his smile dropped as he gently touched my palm with the fingertips of his hand. Len's voice whispered, "Do you really want to go back?"

My emerald eyes widened. I was taken aback by his question. "I..."

"We can run away from this. Live a better life!" Len stood up as he continued, "You don't have to be beaten anymore."

"No! Stop it, Len," I shook my head. "Even if it seems tempting, we can't escape. Comparing us to them...we're just foolish children. Besides, they raised us. We should be thankful."

"Your wrist," he pulled my hand from the koto revealing my purplish bruise that ringed around my wrist.

I pulled my hand away and covered it with my robes. Words could not escape my mouth and frankly, there would not be any excuses that could hide this. "I think you should go now," I looked away.

Without a word of protest, Kagamine-san—Len stood up and wore his mask as he walked out of the room. When I heard the door slide shut, I thought to myself, it really is him. Hot tears came running down my cheeks but not because I was sad, I was in so much joy. To be completely cut off from him for 9 long wretched years and find out he was alive was beyond wonderful. Len was a different person now, a respectable nobleman who worked in the Imperial Court and a handsome young man that all women are very much attracted to.

What I was extremely happy about was that he actually remembered me. But no. He is a successful man with a noble job and I cannot take that away from him. I want him to just forget Rin and move on because frankly, I feel ashamed of myself. How could I bring my filthy, violated self to tell him that I am his sister? How could a nobleman have a sister who is sex slave? It is just unimaginable and would ruin his name.

I really need to improve on my writing technique...but anyways, what do you think so far? Any suggestions, complaints or praise? lol okay, be kind alright! No cursing please~ Anyone guessing how this story might end up? If you have predictions, tell me. I am interested to know^^ Please give me some reviews ah! You better give me!*pouts* Oh and keep reading ne! =w=