Author: Surprise surprise, two updates in a week~ I tweaked their ages here, so Miku's a little older and Luka's a little younger.
I have also been rather inspired by other fics, particularly Sword and the Needle by Kailor Aurelius. I recommend checking out that fanfiction.

Well, let us begin!

Ice and Stone

Chapter 4

Training with Lily had been tough. Luka had been repeating strikes, memorizing stances and positions, and had almost thrown down her wooden sword in frustration. Lily said that Luka was still physically weak and that she was progressing faster than she had initially expected. Lily seemed pleased, but Luka wasn't. This was all so frustrating and repetitive. She had to pause before striking so Lily could correct her stance, pause as she was swinging down so Lily could adjust her elbow, pause after she swung down because her arm was 'not aligned correctly'.

She was tired from stopping her movements, and Lily had sensed it, giving her a break, and telling her to be more patient. "No skill was ever acquired in a day. Don't get ahead of yourself, Luka."

She had bowed her head in shame and carried on reluctantly. All she wanted to do was raid the pantry and smuggle all the food out.

Now she went back for another bath; Lily had told her it was unacceptable to stink during meals. A similar set of clothes had been prepared, this time it was black with dark blue and Luka suspected the mystery designer was testing colours on her.

"Luka, are you ready? Let's go!" Rin knocked the door. Luka stepped out, tying her hair into a neat ponytail.

"Oh yeah, forgot to tell you something super important. Actually two things, but I'll tell you one after dinner." Rin pulled Luka along, and pointed at the door next to her room. "The Princess stays here, and opposite her is Len and my room!" Rin snickered at Luka's shocked face. "Now come on, we don't want you to be late."

Luka found herself almost getting lost as the energetic twins bounded down the stairs like rabbits and walked into a large dining hall. It was not crowded, and no one except the Princess and Lily were there. Lily was dressed in black and white, similar to Luka, and Miku was in a light blue dress that flowed to her ankles. Her hair, as usual, was let down and it reached past her lower back, almost touching the ground as she was sitting.

"You're late." Miku said, her eyes flickering to the three latecomers and back to her soup. She poked the bread beside it and looked back up to Luka, meeting her eyes. The twins greeted Miku formally, and Luka repeated their actions. Miku eyed Luka for a while, making the pink haired girl wary.

"Black suits you." Miku stated, and went back to staring at her food.

A few servants approached the twins and Luka, asking them politely what they would have.

"The usual!" Rin exclaimed and Len sighed. "You can't always have pancakes for dinner… The usual too."

Rin scowled. "I have orange slices as a side. You're no better yourself. Too many bananas and you'll become a monkey." Len scowled too, mirroring his sister, and the servant beside Luka waited patiently for her answer.

"I'll just take something simple…"

"Grilled chicken salad with a side of scrambled eggs?" the servant suggested, glancing at Miku, who looked at Luka.

"Y-yeah, thanks." The servants scuttled away, and Miku looked back at her soup, deciding to finally drink it.

"So, how did you find the castle, Luka?" Lily started, and Luka sighed.

"It's really comfortable and I'm lucky to be studying under you, but…" Luka thought of everyone else, and she thought of Gakupo. She thought of what Rin had said and probably went through. Maybe all she really wanted was to leave. It was scarier in here than it was out there. You were clothed, housed, fed, and bathed here but you also had to watch out for anything that could happen. Rin had told her which nobles to avoid; they would pick on anyone, and some spread malicious rumours that could get you killed. Luka could barely remember how to get from the training room to her room, not to mention all the faces and names.

"It's just overwhelming." Luka finished, and her salad arrived; something that was supposedly simple but still managed to look ridiculously expensive and luxurious. She slowly ate, not wanting to choke on her food although she was hungry. Actually she had never been so full, but her stomach cried out for more.

"You'll get used to it." Lily smiled reassuringly, and Luka failed to return one.

Miku waved to a servant who quickly went to her and bowed.

"How may I help you, your highness?"

"I want something sweet. No fruit, I don't feel like eating fruit. Do not get me chocolate either." The servant bowed and ran off into the kitchen. Miku glanced at Luka again, and her eyes seemed to smile slightly. Luka felt a rush of heat creep to her chest and face, and jerked back, stabbing a piece of chicken before hurriedly stuffing it into her mouth.

"Are you okay, Luka?" Rin asked, and Luka nodded before shoveling a spoonful of eggs into her mouth. She somehow managed that rather gracefully, and was grateful that she didn't choke.

The servant girl returned with a plate and a small cake on it. She greeted Miku again, and placed the plate before her. Miku scrutinized the cake and raised an eyebrow.

The servant girl seemed nervous, but Miku just took a dessert fork and slowly started to eat. The servant girl let out a breath of relief, and returned to her position.

Rin's pancakes arrived, with orange slices on a smaller plate. The girl devoured the pancakes with gusto, and her brother scoffed as he dug into one of his three sandwiches. A baked potato with some cheese sat beside it. Growing boy indeed.

"Chocolate and banana." He explained as he caught Luka's questioning gaze, digign into the sandwich with gusto.

Luka smiled to herself, thinking that it was funny how both twins felt that their diet that consisted of sweet food were acceptable as dinner. She did not notice Miku's persistant look as she smiled. She did not notice Miku placing her dessert fork down, until the soft clink was heard.

"I'm done. Bring her to my room later." Miku walked off without a word, the others in the dining hall bowing to her.

Once Miku left, and the servants seemed to visibly relax, Lily spoke again.

"Don't mind her, she's just really bad at expressing her emotions."

"She seemed angry." Luka remarked, and Lily raised her eyebrows.

"You could tell? No one usually is able to differentiate her moods. She always has that mask on." Lily said, finishing her meal.

"It's just a guess." Luka murmured.

"Jeez, tell me the answer tomorrow alright, I'm going to train my division and then head off to bed." Lily stood up and waved to the group, the servants also bowing to her.

"She's really nice." Luka blurted out and the twins grinned.

"Told you." Rin stuck her tongue out.

"She is like a sister, I've told you. She took care of Rin and I and made us learn how to defend ourselves." Len smiled fondly at the memory, the third chocolate and banana sandwich almost dropping halfway to his mouth.

"The princess… She's angry with me, isn't she?"

"I don't know, Luka. No one knows." Len said in a hushed whisper. "She was much more cheerful when she met us. She smiled. But she was younger too."

"How old is she, if you don't mind answering?"

"Well, I won't tell you her age, but I can give you clues. The princess met us seven years ago, when we were seven, and she's 4 years older than us."

"So… she's…"

"Ah ah ah, shh. Her birthday is in August, don't forget that." Rin cut Luka off.

"How old are you anyways, Luka?" the twins leaned forward and Luka finished her meal.

"It's kinda rude to ask a female for her age…" She trailed off, grinning. Somehow Luka found herself warming up to the twins. Their friendliness was rubbing off on her. They were so innocent and honest and childlike, and they felt trustable. Aside from Lily, they were the only people she could really trust for now. And yet she could not give them her absolute trust. But revealing her age? That should be alright.

"Come on, we'll answer any question you want." Len pleaded, and Rin did the same.

"Any question?"

"Any." The twins echoed.

Luka looked around, and the twins got the hint.

"We'll talk to you later. After you speak to the princess." Len nodded and led the way back to their rooms.

Miku sat in her room, idly tracing her finger along the word of her textbook. Her tutors had long been sentenced to death. By her, of course. They were utterly useless and she had done better on her own. She was not a genius, they were just idiots. The whole palace was full of idiots. Everyone following each other. Len and Rin entertained her; they were the first people to not treat her like she was someone too high to talk to. But then again, that was because they didn't know she was the princess yet. Lily was an interesting one, joining the military and beating up the soldiers who said she couldn't fight, eventually earning her right to be recognized as the top fighter. She also treated her like a proper human, not just a princess.

Then there was the newcomer. Megurine Luka. She was the first pathetic girl to shout at the nobles. It was amusing to see the faces of all those slobs shrivel in fear. She had to get knocked down by all of them, and actually fought back. The girl was something else, and she also looked pretty.

Miku snorted at her thoughts. Pretty pathetic.

She was glad she only loaded five bullets though. Now she had a new plaything. This girl had met her eyes so many times, and there was clear defiance in them. This girl didn't look down. She wasn't afraid to meet her eyes. And she was flustered pretty easily.

Miku smirked. She would have her way with the girl. A knock broke her thoughts and she felt excitement bubbling in her.

"Come in." She said lazily, and watched as Luka was pushed in by Len and Rin.

"You two may go." She flicked her hand at them and they left without bowing.

"Luka." She spoke impassively, and Luka flinched.

"Come here, don't stand at the door, you buffoon." Luka meekly wandered over to where Miku was sitting.

Luka's POV

What does she want now? Oh she's dressed in something less formal than what she wore just now. That blue dress really suited her though but she looks nice too. It's still a little too flouncy, does she really wear this to sleep?

"Luka." I jumped a little, wondering if she could read thoughts.

Maybe she could.

"Come here, don't stand at the door, you buffoon." Her cold tone almost made me wince.

Ice cold, colder than the weather. It was warm in here, surely she would have melted. Oh hell she's sitting on a bed what does she want me to do? Sit with her?

I walked over, refusing to join her.

"Fine, stand, whatever suits you." She didn't change her expression at all, and I was frustrated that she was not looking me in the eye. I couldn't even guess how she was feeling.

"How has the day treated you?" She asked, and I wasn't sure what she wanted.

Was this a trick? If I repeated my answer at dinner, would she be contented? Surely she wouldn't just ask a question for the sake of it. She must want a different answer.

" I still need to get use to this place. I… t-thank you."

She looked up from her book and shot me a questioning stare.

"Erm, for … for" not letting me die? Saving me? Allowing me to serve someone as amazing and beautiful and high ranked as you?

"Do you always have to display your inadequate linguistic ability in front of me? You were doing so well when you were communicating with the others." She said in that ridiculous tone again, and darted her eyes back to the book.

Is she mad? W- wait. She's jealous? That's how she feels, right? Oh my god, she's jealous. The stupid ice princess who indirectly killed my friend is jealous. She has emotions. Congratulations!

"I'm just… I don't know the right words to say. I'm sorry. Thank you for saving my life." I managed to say, without stuttering and making a fool of myself this time. She seemed pleased, her eyes moving above the edge of her book to survey me.

"You're welcome. That guy. The purple haired one." I froze, and my anger returned.

"What was his relation to you?"

"He was my friend." Whom you killed.

"That's all?"

What do you mean 'that's all', you arrogant princess? No wonder you're so cold! I had a friend taken from me, and you go 'that's all'? Urgh! I want to hit you so badly now, especially after the slap you gave me!

"He grew up with me and a few others, and we always sticked together. Even near death." I emphasized the word 'death', and Miku shut her book, making me flinch.

"I see. What do you intend to do?" Miku asked, staring right at me, and I felt nervous again.

"W-what do you mean?"

Does she know of my plan to smuggle food? But I never told anyone!

"His body." She tilted her head to one side. "I made sure no one touched it."

She made sure? But why? Why does she even care? Wait, what am I going to do about Gakupo's body? He would want… He would want…

"If it's possible, I would want his ashes to be scattered outside the walls." Miku's eyes widened slightly, and she regained her composure.

"I'll see if I can arrange for that. You know, you're pretty rude for a bodyguard." I tensed up, remembering how audacious I had been.

Talking back to you? Yeah. Shit.

"Keep it that way. I like you as it is now." She smiled a little, and to my horror, I found myself blushing.

You! She said you! Referring to me! What the hell? And she smiled, damnit she looks beautiful smiling. Did I make her smile? Argh! What am I doing? Why? Why does she attract me so? Okay, maybe she's not as heartless as she appears to be, a little devoid of facial emotions, but she does care. Whoa when did she come here?

I had lost myself in my thoughts, and realized that Miku had been slowly sneaking closer to me. She was a little shorter than me, and she looked up with an uncaring expression.

I backed away slightly, but she kept a firm hand around my waist, making me even more flustered.

"And Luka?"

"Y-yeah?" I replied, disgusted with how hoarse I sounded.

"Call me Miku in private." She whispered and tip-toed, pausing.

"A-ah?" I managed to squeak out before she pressed her lips to mine, silencing me.

She broke the kiss for air, and I wondered how long I had stood there like a moron. Of course I had kissed back but everything was so – weird.

"You're not bad." She licked her lips, her annoying unchanging expression still plastered onto her face, and her eyes looked up at me again.

Contentment? Was that it? Pleasure? I can't really tell.

She released her hold on me and I wondered when I had placed my hand on the back of her head. I whipped my hand back and tried to breathe.

I just kissed the princess. No, wait, she kissed me. Does that even matter? What is going on?

"You're not allowed to be involved with any of the twins or Lily." She spoke again, now further from me. "Or I will kill both parties involved." That dangerous tone that was not concealed by anything warned me how frightening this princess could really be.

"Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Yes who?" She stared at me with impatient eyes.

"Yes, your highness."

"Did you already forget my order? Did the kiss affect you so much? Need I kiss you again to reverse the effect?" Miku stepped forward and I lost my ability to speak coherently. I shook my head but that was not enough for her.

"Y-yes Miku." I murmured, unable to look her in the eye.

"Good job." She reached for my jaw and grabbed my face down to her eye level.

"Don't forget that you're mine." She hissed and planted a fast, violent kiss on my lips, biting them, before pushing me away this time.

What's with her and kissing? Is this… blood?! SHE BIT ME! How dare she bite me! First she acts all nice and sweet, albeit being seductive, and then she turns violent without warning! What is wrong with this girl?

She gave me one last stare before turning, her back facing me.

"Out." She commanded, and I nodded, unlocking the door before backing out.

End of chapter 4

Ahaha it happens. Finally some negitoro.

Miku's quite a bitch now but …. Oh well I can't promise anything.

Heh, thanks for reading, please review!