Oh, my. How long since the last time I updated this story? I suppose I just grew lazy and out of inspiration. Anyways, here's another chapter, I think this holidays I'll be able to make some chapter (depends on my homework and the time I'll be playing Hyperdimension Neptunia V xP)

Disclaimer: I don't own Vocaloid or the song.

Chapter 9: Returning the course of the stream Part 2

Day 3

Sukone Tei tapped her foot on the ground impatiently. She had agreed with Teto to discuss about the internal politics of the kingdom, of course, about how were they going to make it fall. If Tei proved that Queen Masuda Lily didn't really deserve the position she will increase the image people has of her own kingdom positively. That would mean more help to her family and her friends there. And if everything went well, that would mean that Dell could stop working as a mercenary. Who knows? Maybe they could make him King or something.

Her country didn't have a King, well, it had, but he didn't worry about the nation. For him, they were no more than poor stray people that needed to be taught one or two lessons of respect and of knowing their place. She hated that. However, she knew she didn't have the power to bring him down, not alone and not in these circumstances. The King made himself look like a God, everyone worshiped him believing his lies and she couldn't change that, not internally. That's why she and her friends began to work outside, if the attacks or betrayal, whatever you like to call it, come from other countries than his own he will be tie-handed.

Whatever, what was taking the other woman so long? She hated when the minister did that, make her wait for almost thirty minutes. Nevertheless, though she did that a lot of times, Tei couldn't tell her to stop. Teto decided to help her with the condition of being able to do whatever she liked. The white-haired woman, despite being the one who most time has passed with the red-haired woman, didn't know anything about her or her secret life. As long as she did what Tei wanted, she was satisfied.

"Sooorry!" Teto approached her from behind. "I was busy, ehehehe." She grinned stupidly as she said that.

"Just shut up and sit. I think this won't take long." She ordered a little mad.

"So~? What do you want to talk about~?" One of Tei's eyebrows twitched. The woman seemed oddly happy and teasing at the moment.

"What did you do before?" She looked at her suspiciously, her eyes narrowing.

"Hehe, I was wondering when were you going to ask! Look at this, it's a letter from Kaito. Some servant saw it in Miku's room while they were cleaning. How was it that we didn't thought about looking there first? The person Kaito most trust in here is no less than his little sister." She showed the letter, it was open, the other minister has read it.

"Let me see.

Miku, I have received a letter from Meiko. It was short and it said 'Make Lily disappear'. When I told the messenger that I wasn't going to do that he replied with 'Lightning Eagle' so I supposed your partner was in the castle trying to assassin Lily. That's the reason I left without letting anyone know apart from you. I want to ask you if you could talk with your friend and ask for not to kill Lily. I know you had warned me about this but right now I can't help but protect her . I know that when I come back you'll be very angry but we will talk about that later. I'm sorry I can't tell you my whereabouts since I don't know were I am going to go neither.

Sincerely yours, Kaito."

"So? There's the reason they left so quickly and unnoticed. I don't think King Kaito has told his wife that, though."

"And that's the reason Gumi was here. Nonetheless, I'm surprised Lily could escape away from her without any bruises. Gumi is just as efficient as Miku or Dell-kun..." Tei seemed to be deep in thought.

"That remembers me, how's your little pupil? She must be very happy since Miku woke up, am I wrong?" Teto asked teasingly. "I have seen you passing more time with her and comforting her~."

"Shut up, Teto. That's none of your business." Her reply was short and cold. She didn't like it when the red-haired girl made those conclusions about her.

"Oh, but it is. You being friends with those mercenaries could go very very bad, you know~. Don't mix job with feelings, not when your life depends on it." Teto warned, the grin still on her face, as if she were mocking her.

"Just shut up!"

Feeling the woman beginning to be uncomfortable, minister Kasane decided to change the topic. "So, what do we do now? It seems nor Kaito or Lily are going to return soon. Nevertheless, we have to work fast, I don't like unexpected events ruin our plans." There was a little moment of silence where the silver-haired woman calmed herself.

"We need those proofs of Lily not being the legal successor. Also, we need people to stop believing in her, but I think that's easy. Queen Lily is known for the parties she holds and the money she inverts in those. The only part which hasn't been impoverish is the capital where Lily resides. For our parts, the places we are watching are against Lily, thinking she was the one responsible of the food not reaching them, right?" She asked to Teto to assure she has also hid the money the West part of the country was given. She nodded. "This only leaves the people here. These are the most important persons since they are educated both mentally and physically. Having them in our side would mean absolute victory. Also, I'd like Yokune-san's help, she could make very good weapons. We just need some reason for her to work with us..." Tei said thoughtfully.

"Or she can make them for Lily's soldiers and we steal them." Teto gave her own idea.

"No... I think is better to do things peacefully, I wouldn't like to have her as my enemy." The other minister replied.

"Yeah, but if you do that, they're going to suspect about her because the weapons she is supposing to make for them are going to be ours. I prefer the idea to steal them, I recall her father's life depends on this." The white-haired woman looked at her dumbfounded. "Eh? What's with that face?"

"I... I would have never thought that such matters worried you... You seem an egoistic person..."

Teto touched her chest pained. "Ouch, you hurt me Scottei. I thought we were friends."

"Stop acting dumbly. And yet, what has me thinking you as an egoistic person anything to do with us being friends? You don't make sense at all." Tei said coldly and frankly.

"Hey! I'm a very good person! Whatever, what do you think about stealing them? Maybe, we can tell her and even induce her to make our weapons better than the ones she'll make to them! I think it's a great idea! I don't want to put her father in danger, you know."

Tei looked at her suspiciously, she didn't believe she was hearing right. The woman protecting some stranger? Why does she do that? Perhaps she want Ruko to be in debt with her and then take advantage of that. Deep inside, Sukone knew she wasn't going to be surprised if Teto were to betray her. She may say that they were friends and all but the strange aura that emanated from her told her, and everyone else, to stay away from this calm beast. Yet she couldn't completely stay away from her, not only for work but because she needed to know what were the reasons that made her travel to this land, alone, and what was that cause that made her help them to overthrow Lily.

"Perhaps it isn't a bad idea... However, how will we do to not raise any suspects? If they found us what are we going to do?"

"Easy. Yokune's father is a very well known blacksmith. He's ill and his daughter is in charge of his care. We'll hire some mercenaries, as a pay we'll give them part of the weapons they steal. If they're found out we'll make them tell that they were smugglers or that the Yokune used to work for them until Lily came to image. I know she's only doing this for his father but this way she is earning also many enemies. Imagine it, a kingdom knowing the weapons their enemies have, of course they are angry." The minister replied fast, having already thought about that.

"I see... No, it isn't a bad idea..."

"Okay, then go and find those proofs. I'll stay here to avoid suspects. And one more thing, maybe you should talk with... Meiko was her name? You know, the one who hired Miku-san and her friends. If I am correct, she did have some romantic relationship with King Kaito. You should inform her about it."

The silver-haired woman turned to her astonished. How did she know that? "W-Well... I think we shouldn't worry about that... She'll probably kno-"

"I'm not meaning that. It's clear she would know by now. What I mean is if these..., affairs are going to change her mind. I don't want her to be the one interfering in our plans. It would be a shame to put her out of the way seeing she has good intentions but if she tries something we'll assassin her, understood? I just want you to inform. Remember, we may be helping Death Messengers and the Kagamine yet we have other goals." Teto's tone make Scottei nod at once and leave the room. This was those times when the red-haired minister showed the skills that made her, a complete foreign stranger, promote to such a level.

When Tei shut the door, the minister sighed relieved. She put out something from her pockets. They were some papers with letters. Not only she has been late because of Kaito's letter but some notes she found visiting Miku in her room. The girl was sleeping and Teto saw something on the window. It wasn't dried so it signified someone has written those not so long ago. They were talking about the sun and the moon, personalizing them. This was, without any doubt, Luka and Miku. All that talking pointed to both of them.

Luckily, it didn't give any valuable or secret information, at least, for the rest except for Teto. The more she knew of Miku and her way of thinking the better for her. Actually, she really did want her to be on her side, to join her. She has seen her capabilities and she also has moral, they two could change the world with little effort. Because Teto was just like the rest, the only thing she wanted was to protect everyone, to save as many lives as she can with the only difference that her way to do that was going to be..., let's say, a little different from what the people on this land was accustomed to.

Also, she couldn't let anyone see those. Not because she didn't want to, which was a great part of the reason, but because she wanted to protect the tealette. It seemed whatever they were talking about was something important, they were reflecting themselves and being true to each other. If it weren't for Megurine-san being so stubborn, I would ask her if she wanted to join me too.

However, I still don't get how Megurine-san has managed to talk with her. Miku-san is supposed to be resting, she can't be awake much time so how? This have to have happened last night, wasn't she too tired? And how did our knight go out of her room without being seen? Even when it's dark there's people patrolling the castle, moreover now that there has been an homicide attempt. I'm sure there's something in this castle I don't know. If I could discover how did she do it my mission would be much easier.

I think it's time for me to pay a visit to Dawn's Lookout Knight~.

Teto exited the room, making sure her partner wasn't still near there. If Tei knew she has left the office she would began to ask her and she couldn't really think for a good excuse that the minister could swallow, not when she was distrusting her more and more.

Good, she began to walk through the corridors till she reached Luka's room. Fortunately, they have chosen by chance the nearest office to her room. The less time she's out of the place she was supposed to stay the more chance not to be find out. She knocked the door and spoke. "Megurine-san... I have something for you~" She said teasingly, knowing already what was going to be her reply.

"Go away." The sound was muffled by the door. "Oh no, my dear. This is important~." With her tone there was no way she would believe her but, oh well, she liked doing that. "Leave me alone."

Teto exhaled air loudly. "You know, you should have kept those papers you left in Miku's room. These kind of things shouldn't be seen by average persons, who know what they could think of Miku." A little smile creeping on her face when she heard a gasp inside the room. It looked like the woman has forgotten them accidentally.

The door was unlocked and opened, Luka's face in front of her looking at her seriously. "Give me those, now."

"Poetic, aren't you two? The Sun and the Moon playing together~! How shabby." She joked, something Luka didn't like.

"So you have read them?" The minister didn't have time to respond because she was pulled inside the room and pushed on the door, shutting it at the same time. "Tell me, what are you going to do with this information?"

"Wow wow wow, no need to use violence. I read them, of course, I'm curious. It could have been some betrayal of some mercenary hired to make this country fall." The minister smirked knowing she was right. "However, as I am telling you, I don't want them nor I want to use them for anything. Well, maybe I could make some poem with this, so much inspiration~. Whatever, here you are, it's all yours." Luka groaned and let Teto leave the room. Just before exiting she said something to the pinkette. "Just so you know, I'm very amazed you haven't killed her this time." She chuckled maliciously.

The servant was left in her room, her eyes widened and she had a lump in her throat.

No... She wasn't going to do that, right? She wasn't going to kill her, not with what has happened last night, not when she has seen the cutest and most childish face of Miku. Luka sat on her bed, the brooch still in the box. She stared at it.

Just what was that woman planning? Why did she return them to her? She could have thrown them if she didn't want to keep them, then why? And what was with those sick jokes she was making? What was her problem? What did she want from her? Was she... Just messing with her? Did she want to confuse her? Did she want to get something from her? Was she just playing and having her fun?

Luka frowned. Whatever was the reason, these papers weren't hers, they were Miku's and she must give them back. Nevertheless, how was the young woman going to react when she see what's in there? Will she deny everything? Will she hate her more? Will she explain what happened that night?

Actually, Luka was very scared to face her.

Day 4

Gumi yawned as she fed Miku. Yesterday night the tealette has been moved next to Haku's bed. The white-haired woman was still sleeping but, oh,lovely Miku-chan had the antic to wake soon to have breakfast, even if it was unconsciously. That's why she was there, dawn almost breaking, a spoon on her hand and a plate on other. The teenager was still eating only liquids, although Gumi has put some rice in the soup. They had to wait a little until Miku could eat bigger and solid food.

Even if the green-haired woman was asleep and annoyed at being woken up so soon (Miki and her agreed in making turns to take care of Miku and unfortunately, she had to feed her on mornings) she had brought a vase of milk, bread, marmalade, some cookies, orange juice, grapes and even some leeks. Between those leeks, she has also chosen one, the biggest one for it to be Miku's cuddly toy: she knew the girl would sleep better with it around. Of course, she will have to take it away when it rots.

Gumi's right eye twitched. She was trying to have Miku open her mouth, which was hanging open, but she wasn't eating or swallowing anything, more like, she was staring intensely at the leeks Gumi has brought, some drool falling from her mouth. The girl looked like a dog wanting a bone or something. Okay, maybe taking them here wasn't a good idea.
Gumi groaned. If it weren't of the girl being injured she would have stuck the spoon in her mouth until she ate, or swallowed, or responded, or stopped drooling all over the place. Calm wounded Miku was the worst. At least, complaining spoiled wounded Miku was more bearable than this, she replied to stimulation and the only thing you had to do to forget her was to put something on your ears to not hear her when she was crying about a cut she has made with the edge of a paper. The tealette was the kind of person that didn't care about what happened to others life, even if they died; but acted like if the world was going to crumble when she hurt herself physically. It was quite ironic.

"Miku..." The maid mumbled dangerously, the spoon still held by her, in Miku's mouth. The green-haired girl menaced the other with her eyes, shooting her with her look. The younger was also looking at her, asleep. After some seconds, a grumble could be heard coming from the tealette's stomach. Gumi turned her gaze down between curious and irritated, now she was hungry? Seriously?

Without ceremony, Miku's mouth shut surprising the servant who let the spoon go finishing in its end going straight to Miku's face hitting her, the latter opening her mouth again when the item hit her. This time, Gumi wasn't angry but frozen. Oh, crap. Now on the face of the tealette was growing slowly a line of red.
As if it were to be fate, the maid turned her head to see Haku fully awake staring at her unbelievingly. "Gumi-chan... Wh-?" The servant has followed the movement of the spoon with her hand which meant that what Haku was thinking right now was... "It wasn't on purpose! She just shut her mouth an-" Trying to defend herself she put both hands in front of her forgetting she was still holding a plate full of soup which fell on Miku. This time, the girl made some weird noise (it was an unfinished squeak since her neck hurt when she made a sound) when the hot soup touched her lap. Gumi had a look at her. Oh, heck.

Her bad luck didn't seem to get possibly worse when Miku's eyes began to water, one of her hands touching her neck while she was kicking her legs trying to calm the hotness of the soup. Not only the soup but it seemed the yelp she was going to do has hurt her badly. The green-haired maid froze again, This. Deserves. An: oh, shit!, and panicked.

"Gumi-chan! First take something cold for her lap!" Haku, fully awoken now, helped her seeing her tremble nervously. She got up, limping a little to sit next to Miku and calm her a little. The young woman didn't know if focus on her neck, her legs or her face, tears menacing to fall from her eyes.

"Eh...Eh!" When the maid threw the orange juice on Miku's lap an idea surged in her mind. "Shouldn't we be calling a doctor right now since her neck is...?" She trailed of seeing Haku's bothered blank face. "Ehehehe... I'll go get him,' kay?" She rubbed the back of her head and spun out of the door.

The white-haired woman rubbed Miku's back, the tealette whimpering a little, as she gazed at the door. Maybe I was wrong and Miku isn't really the bad kid here. She thought as she sweat-dropped. Turning again, she put off her blankets and began to search with her eyes towels and dry clothes for her. It was a good thing she tended to observe her nurse when she was getting instruments or items, she knew in which cupboards where the things she needed. She got up and began to limp again. Whenever her wounded foot touched the ground she felt a sharp pain so she opted to jump with one foot. It still hurt a little because her other leg rebounded every time she jumped nonetheless she could manage.

She took a look at Miku as she search in the cupboards. It was like when they were kids, while Gumi was the physically strong one, little Miku hated to feel physical pain and whenever she got hurt she would go crying to her, Tei or Dell asking for comfort. However, psychologically, they were opposites; Miku bear mental pressure much better than Gumi. Miku was more confident when she was alone or had to travel for long periods by herself while Gumi was almost always seen around someone whenever she wasn't doing a mission. Therefore, that's the main reason the tealette would always menace Gumi saying things as 'I'm not going to be your friend if you don't do this' because she knew the green-haired woman wasn't going to refuse. Luckily, Miku's fear of pain has gone better with the time. It was very bothering whenever the tealette wanted to train with Dell, he would say that she was going to get hurt and Miku would reply saying she could manage. However, she was three minutes later in Haku's or Tei's arms pouting because Dell has pushed her hardly onto the ground. Then she would look at Gumi who was still with Dell and got jealous forgetting everything and wanting to go at it again. Her mental strength getting the best of her.

Haku smiled as she approached Miku. They complemented each other perfectly.
She began to take Miku's dress off and with the towel she began to dry her legs. She could feel Miku's puppy eyes on her and she gazed at her some seconds in return.

Though they had explained more or less what has happened to her and her neck (they had to make the most of the time she was awake) the girl seemed to have taken it well... That or she wasn't really listening when they told her.

Certainly, Haku couldn't really comment. She didn't know what happened until yesterday when Miku was going to be next to her. Miki has told her how Miku was found in the throne room bleeding, but she hasn't gone into details so, in short, she had no idea.

"Do your legs scald anymore?" She asked softly, as if she were talking to a shy child. Miku may be a ferocious mercenary but she was still a kid who needed to learn, to be taught, to be scolded, to be comforted...

Miku shook her head no, instead she signaled, against any prediction, her tummy. She blushed a little meaning she was hungry. Then she pointed her neck, telling it hurt too. However, she has made clear that first was food and next was her wound, not otherwise.

The older smile pleasantly, this was more like the Miku she knew. She made her put on a large shirt and began to search something for her to eat. She knew the girl was looking at the leeks but with her neck hurting she was afraid to make the pain worse. Still, the younger stood up to get a leek without paying attention to Haku's warnings and immediately and impatiently bit the vegetable. She felt a sharp pain on her neck caused by the pressure she did with her jaw to cut it and she left the leek at once, moaning softly. She turned to the white-haired woman and offered her the leek.

When Miku felt like eating leeks, she felt like eating leeks; that's something Haku learned with time: Miku wanted leek soup. She sighed. "Okay, okay, we'll wait until Gumi arrive. I'd go by myself but you see I can't walk and I can't do it here." The tealette grimaced and Haku realized that was the wrong sentence to say. It seemed as she was reproaching the fact that her leg was wound. It was her fault, but that didn't mean she had to blame her so bluntly. Sometimes she wondered if a normal person would feel like her, forgiving Miku so easily. She really did feel like a mother for them, it didn't matter whatever the two girls could have done, she will always be there for them. "Come on, it isn't as if I'm incapable of walking anymore. Don't put that face." She cheered her up. "Oh, here. Drink the orange juice while we are waiting, it's no good if you don't eat something after sleeping so much, you know." Haku giggled knowing that, whenever Miku skipped breakfast, she tended to get sick or faint. Thinking about her origins, it made sense that Miku were to be a delicate person, she was a princess and as a noble, she wouldn't have to work or make any effort (Lily was quite the good example).

And to think that this woman was not so long ago a little kid of four years who liked to sing and was always smiling, even when she was kidnapped, Haku smiled at the thought.

Moments later, the door was opened and a doctor came through it Gumi following behind. Miku was drinking the juice with a drinking straw not looking at anything in particular. Haku didn't notice that and admitted, seeing how Gumi was next to Miku in no time, that it was awfully cute how well the green-haired girl treated her friend.

"Well, Miss Hatsune, let me see that wound of yours..." The doctor began his work.

Lily sighed as she passed her arm on her forehead. She had agreed with their hosts that they were going to help them with the land as a gratitude for letting them be here and take care of Her Highness. Of course, they knew they were helping their Queen and although they explained it was for duty, Kaito insisted on doing something for them.

Actually, Lily didn't really see any reason to do that. They had to respect their Queen and they must help her whenever she needed, so why were they doing this? She has done it to not disappoint her husband but she wasn't made for this! As peasants, it was their job to work on these lands and to bring food to the court, no more no less. It wasn't that she didn't want to help, but her place was not here. She was in charge of a kingdom, of politics and economics of the country.

Lily sat nearby them, under the shadow of a tree. Kaito and Leon did not found this odd, they knew Lily must probably still be a little weak because of the poison. That made her remember, who could had have any reason to kill her? She was sure it has happened while they were eating, the problem resided in that she was eating a lot! She couldn't choose in which plate was the poison and even if she found it out there was no method to know if some cooker held a grudge against her. Maybe it was because she ate big amounts of food without getting any fat? It was that? Or for making them work so much? They couldn't complain whatsoever, they lived in HER castle and they were being paid. What more could they want? She even told her servants to find good wives or husbands for them!

Perhaps it was a peasant intruder? Those people had more reasons to be against her, after all, they lived in distance. Her theory was that the further you live from someone the more you hate them because you don't know them. Peasants didn't know her, so they tended to blame everything onto her or her subordinates. They were such simple persons. She would lie if she told she didn't like them, she liked them, but she wanted them keeping the distance. She was accustomed to the city around her castle, not to some villagers! She wasn't a bad person but she has been educated with nobility, following their rules and for her and her education, peasants didn't deserve anything more. What more could they want than to serve their masters? It was such an honor, they must appreciate it.

It was curious how good she cared of her people but whenever she was near them she preferred to ignore them. Still, it was a big step knowing her family and her ancestors hadn't been this attentive with them, not even a pinch of salt. However, she was still a Queen, a noble, a superior, and that was something it would take time to forget.

Looking at the men again she wondered why did they do such a great effort for them. It was only a family, their place was above this, like hers. They didn't have to look after just one family but after an entire nation! They couldn't be losing time here! Not when she herself knew a revolution was going to explode and when someone has tried to kill her.

Lily frowned. Perhaps, was it a bad idea to marry a man like Kaito? She liked his responsibility, but he had to know what was more important and he had to sacrifice one things over others...
It was true, she has always seen Kaito in her palace, she has never visited their nation. That was because Kaito's kingdom has suffered for a long time a grave drought which has been there when his father has been on the throne. That has caused discomfort and hatred in his people. Lily's nation has been one of the few that was helping them. The King said he didn't want her to get through that experience, it was difficult to regain people's trust.

Nevertheless, she knew they also had asked for help in another country. Unluckily, his father died there, being betrayed by the people he had put his fate in. She knew, Kaito would never forgive that. First, he lost his sister and then her father. If it weren't to be enough, her mother deceased months later because of the sickness and the suffering she had to endure. Yesterday, Kaito told her more -he always related a little bit of his life with Lily at nights, it was a ritual for them- Miku was her mother's favorite. That was because in her mother's family they were only boys, she was one of the few girls that were born and when Miku was born, their mother immediately fell in love with her. Kaito didn't mind at all, in fact, he felt he had to protect his little sister because she was going to be surrounded only by males. However, deep down, Kaito envied Miku because her life was easier. Both parents have taught them as nobles, but Kaito has to bear with more responsibility and pressures for being a male, he had to act cold.
She knew for him that his mother acted even cooler when Miku disappeared, not being capable of hiding her worry. Sadly, that was something Kaito didn't realize until she passed away. The same happened with his father, he learned years after he passed away that he loved him and his sister. That he was sick worried when she disappeared but he couldn't show it, he couldn't let the feelings get over him. And Kaito hated that.

Kaito wanted to be a kind gentle king. Lily couldn't agree more, but helping just one family was overdoing it. At least, she could take it as a payment of a debt.

Lily sighed as she stood up again. Not liking some things about your partner isn't anything bad, right? It means that you still love him even with his flaws. Well, the only thing I have to do is to try and put myself in his place so I can understand him. It doesn't seem that bad! She took a rake and asked Leon what more she could do.

Day 5

"Here!" Miki gave a towel to Gakupo to wipe his sweat off. She turned to the other woman but stopped mid-away seeing she had already a towel and sensing that aura that made everyone stay away from her room.

Luka has decided to come out from her refuge citing she was going to lose practice. Still, she just came to the training field when Gakupo was teaching something, she grabbed him and threw him to the ground. No one reacted, over all, when she pointed at him with his sword, with the metal one. Miki, afraid, run to them to stop her when Gakupo indicated with her hand not to. He got up and unsheathe his own sword, comprehending at the moment what she wanted.

Luka didn't seem to be in good mood because she didn't hold herself back, always going for sensitive points. The first two strikes, Noble Calm Protector managed to avoid them, however, the third was going for his heart when Miki threw a little rock to Luka distracting her. The woman turned a little annoyed. Miki put his best angry superior motherly face and pointed the wooden swords puffing her cheeks. The pink-haired woman rolled her eyes and continued with her fight only to get thrown another rock. She looked at Miki, the older already preparing more stones for if she needed them.

Luka frowned and groaned but withdrew her sword and caught one made of wooden. She didn't gave the other one to Gakupo, preferring to attack him instead even when he was going to have the advantage with a metal sword. She lost the battle, mostly because the wooden sword had been cut by Gakupo's.

The female servant walked away with nothing more to say.

"What was that?" Miki asked.

Gakupo frowned but then looked at her. "You're right, what was that? How could you throw some stones in the middle of a battle! Did you even think how dangerous could that be? Something bad might have happened! You could have injured Luka seriously! Don't ever do that again!"

Miki's eyes widened, even more, she felt hurt. She knew it was dangerous but she had made sure the stones weren't sharp, and she has done it so Gakupo didn't get wounded. She didn't expect the man to defend Luka over her, not when they all knew the strange way the woman has been acting since the last days. She felt her eyes watering so she apologized and got away from that place the quickest possible.

Gakupo frowned seeing her back, not understanding.

The red-haired girl looked behind to make sure she was far away enough for anyone to see her when she collided with something hard. The knock rebounded through her and she was going to fall when she was caught by someone who took her by her arm. "Watch out!" She looked up, green hair. "You know, be more careful from now-" The other maid was going to lecture her but stopped.

Suddenly, Miki's eyes began to water and she hugged the other servant tightly, nuzzling her face on her chest. "Whoa! Wa-Wait! H-Hey! It's nothing, 'kay? I don't mind, I'm alright! W-Why are you crying!" Gumi lift her hands as to say she was completely innocent. Yesterday Miku and now Miki, what was happening with the world? She rubbed her head and let herself be hugged. She thought she would let the woman do whatever she wanted, after all, she didn't have anything better to do. And it isn't like as if she were going to release me... Good heavens, why does it have to happen everything to me? Which God did I anger over there?

-O- -O- -O-

Luka stretched herself as she went to the infirmary. She has been cut by Gakupo during the duel, although it wasn't a big wound, it's just that it bled a little too much for her like. Luckily, it wasn't staining her clothes.

She sighed. Actually, she really didn't know about what have had come over her. It was one of those times you feel like doing something, no questions asked, and you just do it. It was probably the result of being locked in one's room for four days or so.

It was strange. Once she went out of her room she didn't feel like going back... That remembered her, she had to return the papers to Miku. Even if she liked the idea of keeping them, they weren't hers. She has held them inside her pocket since Teto gave them back to her. She knew she had no idea what she was going to say or how was she going to return them. She was even more scared about Miku's response to her.

It has been so real, happened so fast, affected her so much... She would been crushed if Miku were to deny everything. Of course, if she denied it because she didn't remember Luka wouldn't mind. After all, she was acting so out of herself; or so out of the usual self she showed. In the end, she came to realize that the tealette hid many more things than she has expected. She knew that Miku, being a mercenary and an assassin, had to be secretive and mysterious wanting it or not, but there were things that were not related to her job. Her nickname itself proved that whatever past she had was beneath the origin of that name, and therefore, it justified that her position, her rank, wasn't the main reason for her to act like that.

Or perhaps, she was thinking too much. Perhaps, she was looking for something it didn't exist in first place. Perhaps, she wanted to give some credit to the now insane woman. Whatever was the reason, the lack of answer did not do but bring her more and more headaches.

She reached the infirmary and opened the door. The first thing she saw (or she wanted to see) was Miku, sitting on the bed with a black cloth on her hands., looking at it intensely, lengthening it as if she were measuring it.

"Miku..." She whispered unconsciously.

"Mmhh? Do you need something? The doctor is out, smoking, and the nurse has gone to the bathroom." Then, the pinkette noticed the woman she saved days ago, the spy Lily hired, Yowane Haku, sitting next to the tealette, on the same bed.

"Ah...N-Nothing special... J-Just some bandages..." She replied a little perplexed at the spy being friends and sitting next to the woman who had shot at her. The eyes of the assassin turned to her, staring at her menacingly, clearly displeased by her presence.

... Okay, I retreat my memories of her and the full moon, she hates me, Luka thought as she searched for the bandages in the cupboards.

"Miku-chan here is inspecting this fabric that has been brought this morning. She wants to put it on the dress over there, in my bed." Haku talked trying to break the tension. Miku groaned and the white-haired woman giggled and rubbed her head. Luka gazed at the bed, there was a black long dress which covered all the body: black long-sleeves, chest and shoulders covered by black, the front of the skirt reached the ground but the back was even longer as if it were a tail... The servant sweat-dropped. Isn't that..., a mourning dress? Or maybe, a puritanical black wedding dress? "The scissors, needles and threads on the table are to alter it." The older added sensing Luka's thoughts.

Then, the tealette huffed. She didn't like too see her Haku-nee talking with that, so she keep that menacing look on her. The latter gave the pinkette and apologizing smile.

The woman approached both girls and put out the papers Teto brought her. She held them to Miku, doing so, she showed the cut on her clothes and a little of blood staining that zone. The girl looked at her questioningly. "These are yours." The knight explained.

The girl took the carefully and opened one paper to read. Her eyes widened in confusion and she tilted her head while gazing at Luka. She stayed like that for a few seconds until she blushed and handed them back. "You can keep them." She whispered softly with red cheeks, the wound didn't let her talk louder.

The pink-haired woman could still see a hint of discomposure in her but accepted the offer nonetheless. She noticed Miku was now playing with her fingers and pressing her lips puffing her red cheeks as she did so. "Why a black dress?" She let the matter go and asked to Haku while she put off her jacket and her shirt to treat the cut on her arm. She thought it was alright, being between women. She also noticed she had a red mark of a hit on her waist.

When she looked at the pair of girls to hear the answer, she realized Miku getting redder and redder, her eyes going from gazing at her to look at whatever was possible only to come back to the same place, Luka's body. The servant could also hear some whimpers as the tealette tried to control her eyes. It made her smirk.

"I don't know. Maybe because she is a mercenary." Haku replied casually as she took note of what was happening between the two women.

Luka was suddenly taken aback. How could the woman speak so easily about... Did she really heard right? She couldn't deny it, the woman has been there and has seen the betrayal of princess Miku but... "Wait... Why are you acting so friendly when she has shot you?"

The spy smiled and put her arms around Miku's neck to hug her. "It's only normal. As her caretaker and adopted older sister I have to raise her and give her all my love." Haku knew she could trust in Luka so there was no reason to lie to her. "Even when she tries to shot me or kill me."

The warrior took some steps forward. "What?" Haku giggled innocently, but it was unknown if it was because the confusion she created in Luka's mind or because the growing nervousness of her little sister when Luka got nearer with only her trousers and a bra covering her body.

"Well, she doesn't want to expose such a scar to the people so I'm helping her. She can be very useless with these things and I'm very experienced in sewing." The white-haired woman smiled tenderly.

"... You haven't answered yet." Luka said almost pouting.

"What what? You haven't made a good question in first place." The servant face-palmed mentally at her own mistake. "Ne, tell me Megurine-san, wouldn't you like to help us tomorrow to make the dress?" The tealette panicked all at once at the idea. She turned to her old caretaker and her eyes told everything. "But Miku-chan, the more, the funnier, isn't it like that?"

The girl shook vehemently her head no. She pointed the door while looking at Luka with a face that say 'I don't want you here, get out of my life'. Luka really felt like she couldn't do anything more to change the mind of the woman so she declined the offer. Still, it was a little comical to realize the young tealette was doing incredible efforts not to blush or to divert her eyes from her body. However, she put on her clothes ready to leave. "I'm sorry, maybe I'll be too busy to..."

"It wasn't an offer." The older cut her quickly. "I want you to be here with me and Miku while we alter the dress. And you, Miku, grow up a little. We aren't going to do whatever you want just because it is you. So just smile and bear it." The woman ordered with authority. Miku pouted and hid under the sheets of the bed, moving the furthest away possible of Haku while trying not to fall from the bed and turning her back to her. Luka for her part was astonished to say the least. "Uh-oh... Ah, forgive me for that, Megurine-san. As I told you, I've met Miku-chan when she was only a child and I also took care of another one who was her best friend. For a moment I thought we were younger and she and her best friend were arguing with each other again so I just had to lecture you. N-Not that I think it's is bad that you decline to come tomorrow! But... Er.. Well... I mean, if you can't, don't feel forced..." The spy added shyly.

"Uh... E-Eto... I-If you insist so much... M-Maybe... I don't think I... I can't say... No..." Awkward atmosphere. "O-Okay... What time do you want me to be here?"

Haku put a big grin happy at this response. "I don't know.. Miku, what time would yo-? Huh? She's already sleeping." The woman commented when she put down a little the blanket. The tealette still held tightly the black cloth in her arms, as if it were a plush. Her breathing was even and she looked peacefully. "My, my, I told her to go to sleep, that she need to rest but she was all no saying she wanted to wait for the cloth. Good grief, what am I going to do with you?" She asked while tucking the mercenary in the bed.

Luka frowned. "Is she really sleeping? Are you sure? After you told her off is hard to believe that..."

"Na, she's probably still awake. You know, when you're tired you close your eyes and you can still hear the sounds but you aren't listening. She's like that if not, she would've replied to me seeing she has something against you being here."

At that, the pinkette flinched. Me being the cause she almost killed herself could be the reason?, inner Luka thought ironically. Sometimes she wondered if Haku was doing it on purpose or if she was really that..., exasperating. Knowing what she knew, she was like that. She sighed. "Well... Then, how about I come at 8 pm? I prefer it to be a little late, when I'm not doing anything..." Now that I started training again if I stop I'll be too lazy to begin again.

"It's okay with me." Haku replied with a smile.

"Then that settles it." She said and stood there waiting for a few minutes, looking at Haku caress Miku's face motherly. "... Tell me, what is your relationship with her? You... You told me you to have met her before, am I wrong?" She mumbled a little coyly. She didn't know why she felt like this, usually, when she wanted information she achieved it and it was all done, what did it make this time different?

"I thought you were never going to ask. What do you know about her past?"

"Mmh... That she was kidnapped when she was 6 and... That she has met her brother recently." Luka expressed surprised, she really didn't know anything about her past. She may have met many parts of the girl, but she wasn't aware of what had happened to her to become like this.

"As I expected, the same everyone knows... Well, to tell you the true, after she was kidnapped, some friend of mine managed to save her from those smugglers, at that time he was a knight, a servant of the King, just like you. My friend brought Miku and some others kids to our little village where I adopted this little girl as my sister. I'm sorry I can't tell you more but that's because those are Miku's tasks." And because I don't want to reveal more identities than necessary such as Dell-kun or Gumi-chan.

"No, don't worry. You've just answered my question. However, if it isn't so much trouble, could you tell me why did she decide to become a mercenary?" The woman couldn't stop herself. She needed to know.

"As life passes, things happen. Once you get to know her it's difficult to think she can kill someone with such coldness."

Luka frowned. "But who is the real Miku? You have to know! Why did she try to kill herself? What's behind her nickname? Why does she act like that?"

Haku looked at her in her eyes amazed and a little surprised at the fact that Luka confessed that Miku was committing suicide.. "I see... Now I understand why you're special... You've got the questions, but you aren't making them in the precise time. Time to time, Dawn's Lookout Knight, time to time." She advised her wisely. "Perhaps it's time for you to go." She added as she saw the doctor returning to the room. "I just hope you can save Miku from herself." Haku whispered softly when Luka closed the door behind her. Her face darkening as she thought of the confession Luka has made. Suicide... Why?

The pinkette turned, staring the piece of wood. What... What was that?

"Where has Leon gone?" Lily asked his husband. They were waiting near the path that connected the different towns and cities of her and his country. The servant had disappeared since this morning, after he talked to the King yesterday night. Kaito gave thanks to the peasants one more time and then, they agreed in waiting near the main path for the villagers to bring them their horses. There were people who wanted to ride them so the Royal Couple let them seeing that there were from kids to elderlies.

"He was going to check your kingdom to see how things are going." He replied casually.

"... Are we going to come back there?"

"No."

"Then, where are we going once they give us our horses? You know I've been sick till now." Lily was no fool, she has been poisoned by someone in the party. Although her husband didn't want her to worry, it made her feel useless when he didn't inform her about these things. Unfortunately, she had a feeling that those who were trying to murder her were her little cousins. They've hated her for years now and it was only normal for them to go and kill her without doubt. It was sad but when she returns she'll have to keep an eye on them, maybe she even ban them from the castle. She couldn't think of any other person capable of doing that, there was no way for someone to infiltrate in the castle without them knowing it, and, even so, her spy Yowane Haku would have advised her. She knew one of Death Messenger's murderess was there nonetheless she was incapable of pointing anyone: people always went in and out the castle, there was no way she could find him. Either way, she knew she had to be more careful from now on.

"I know, and I know I told you we were going to get you some medicines. We're going to go to my country. It's further than your own but if we went there, where would the fun of making an unnoticeable secret escape be?" He laughed and Lily couldn't help but let her lips go upwards. "No.. I'm being egoistic but I want to go there because I'm worried about my people." He sighed, changing the atmosphere. "You know we haven't been very good since my father's death and that's what he wanted to fix when he got betrayed." He clenched his teeth furiously. "Even more, I don't know how our wedding may affect internal politic and economic matters."

Lily hugged him. "I understand, if I were you, I would be worried too. We're in this together, Kaito, so I'm very grateful you are not pushing me away." She told him sincerely. Every time he did something alike, she fell more and more in love. These were the times she forgot why was she angry or miffed at him. If it was for Kaito, her cousins could wait.

"You know, after this, we have to really go to a honeymoon! Heck, we aren't going anywhere! I don't know what are we doing here in first place! I'm not sure anymore if we were going to a honeymoon or to a survival training!" They both laughed.

"I think we pass too much time with our warrior servants." Lily concluded between giggles.

Day 6

Rin sat next to her brother. They've finished training some time ago and were resting right now near a well.

"When Miku-san sees you she'll be very impressed at how much you've improved!" Len messed up her hair.

"Stop, Len!" She hit him jokingly. "Of course! Did you ever doubt my improving talents? Before this I had no inspiration or motives to learn to fight." She clarified.

"Wait, whenever you saw me you didn't feel like learning? I feel... I feel like I'm not enough!" He exclaimed loudly. "Come on! It isn't as if I were a bad fighter, is it? I can get better! I want to amaze you!"

"Wait, wait, wait! Hold on! I never said I didn't like you, silly boy." She poked his nose. "I liked it a lot whenever I see you train. I didn't feel like doing it myself because once I learn to fight and I get as strong as you, you wouldn't need to protect me. I want you to protect me and to be by my side, Len." She explained to him lovingly.

The boy blushed and looked away. He hated when his sister caught him off guard, it was odd knowing he was the composed one. He turned slowly, looking into her eyes. "You know I will always protect you, Rin. You're the person I most love in this world." He took one of her hands to kiss it. "I will never leave you alone. I swear it." Rin's cheeks reddened. He loved to be the only one capable of doing this, the only one allowed to see this part of his sister, the only one permitted to be next to her for the rest of their days and even later if possible.

"Clap. Clap. Clap. How beautiful." They both turned at the mocking voice.

"Mi...M-Minister Kasane, you again?" Len's voice was filled with venom.

"Huh? I come to see how are you two and you welcome me like this? The youth of these days~!" Teto complained dumbly. "Ne, ne, tell me, now that Miku-san is out of the way you've made up? Isn't it cute, two siblings fighting because of one person's fault and when that person is badly hurt none of you go to visit her. You aren't very good friends, are you?" The red-haired woman put a finger on her lips innocently.

"Why, yo-" Rin stood up and the boy had to grab her arm to control her.

"Tell me, Kagamines, have you really made up? Did you talk about this slowly? You know, avoiding the problem isn't going to solve anything. You have to know that more than anyone else, seeing you still haven't made up with your cousin. And I have to add, it isn't her Queen's fault but yours. It's crystal clear she has tried to approach you two but you keep on shoving her away. Good goodness, you are such kids." She commented while passing by them. "Don't forget to talk about the problem. In a few days, she'll be here again and you and Rin are going to fight again because you don't trust her." She told them not making the effort to look at their faces. "I don't mean you have to trust her, but don't let your sister be corrupted." She whispered as she stopped a short moment next to the blond boy so only he could hear.

Rin frowned. "What is her problem? And what problem is she talking about? We're siblings and we don't fight! Just who does she think she is?" While the girl complained, Len stood there thoughtfully. Even if he didn't like the woman, she was completely right. He didn't trust Miku, maybe as a person he did, but first was her job. Once she goes out of the infirmary, once she's here with them, Rin will change again, she will get obsessed with her. Did she had such a complex for Lily? It was that? Wasn't he enough? Couldn't she be satisfied with just him? If she had to choose between him and Miku or Lily, would she pick him? How strong were the feelings the girl held for him?

Len closed his eyes. He didn't want to think of it, he didn't want to admit it, nevertheless, the minister has managed to sow the fear in him.

"And she knows it, that's why she is doing it." Yokune Ruko commented out loud to nobody. She has seen the whole chat from a window upstairs though she couldn't hear anything, she imagined the things the woman had said because she has been observing her. After all, that's what she has been doing the past few days...

"I still don't understand what are you doing here." Someone told her from behind. It was Sukone Tei who was leaning on the wall arm crossed. "Shouldn't you be doing your work? I know it's very interesting to observe everyone but you have nothing to do with us. Just give us the weapons we need and that's that." The white-haired girl let out not caring about her feelings and getting straight to the point.

She didn't like it. The less persons involved the better. She knew Ruko was good friends with Miku, Gumi and Dell, over all with Miku. However, she was just a blacksmith, she didn't have to poke her nose into their matters. Whatever they wanted to do, whoever they wanted to break, it was none of her business.

"I prefer to know that my weapons are being used for the good." Retorted Ruko.

Tei chuckled. "For the good you say? Do you even know what is the good? Do I have to remember you're friends with murderess? Do I have to remember you're working for this land because it's the only way to get the medicines for your father's illness? Do I have to remember you only work for money, not for good actions?" No, the minister didn't like that girl. She was like a third wheel in a relationship.

"Tsk. Just what's with you? What do you have against me? What did I do to you for you to treat me like this?" Ruko snapped at the minister, not caring about her position. She was the daughter of a well-respected blacksmith. She wasn't going to allow some picky brat to tell her what to do just because 'that's that'.

"Go away. I hate scum like you." She said flatly and uninterested.

"Umm... Do I have to remember you come from scum like me? I know from where you are, Sukone Tei, that's not a good country and it will never be."

This hit a nerve, her eyes twitched and her hands clenched. "That's why I'm trying so hard." She replied, her look burning with flames of rage and impotence. She went away, hitting her with her shoulder as she passed by.

Ruko sighed. She knew she was right, and she knew the woman haven't liked hearing that, but she also knew she couldn't hate a woman like her who has suffered in that land. From what Miku has told her (by the way, very subjective since she was very optimistic) it was difficult to live there. There was no drinkable water and they couldn't grow any plants or raise any animals.

However, she didn't like to know, she hated knowing. Only when you knew, you learn the powerlessness of being unable to act, because it wasn't your matters, because you have no rights, you have no qualities, you don't have any say in that. The more she find out the less she wanted to hear. It was a sad existence, living like that...

A vein throbbed on Gumi's head, her face transforming in one of exasperation and anger. She was carrying a basket with clothes on it to hang out the washing. It was in these times when she prayed for someone to create something so they could stop washing by hands, it was such a pain!

Nonetheless, at the moment that wasn't her main problem (which it has been a few minutes ago) but a certain red-haired girl bouncing behind her and following her. "Please, Miki... Enlighten me, why are you pursuing me?" She tried to ask the most calm possible -that is clenching the basket, grinding her teeth and almost groaning-.

"Pursuing? You make me look like if I were a bad guy or something!" Silence. One minute without a sound until Gumi talked again.

"And well?"

"Well what?" Even if the green-haired woman wasn't looking her way, she could sense the movement of the ahoge of the girl making an interrogation mark. How the hell does she do that?

"Why are you... Going the same way as me and watching me so careful?" Gumi tried to sound the kindest possible.

"That? I wanted to make sure you didn't tell anybody I like Gakupo-san" She replied as a matter of fact.

The mercenary stopped. "Only for that?" She turned and the woman nodded. "FOR THAT?" She repeated again and let the basket fall.

"Yes, that's what I said."

"Oh my goodness! REALLY? But you are SO OBVIOUS! It's more, I swear everyone in the castle but him know it! If you were following me for such a stupid reason I-I... I..!" Gumi tried to say something, her mind overwhelmed by the fact she has been putting up with this woman just for... Just for... That? Honest? She hated to be stared at!

"Eh? Was it that noticeable? How odd. Gakupo hasn't found out yet." Miki said thougthfully.

"What I find odd it's him not realizing it! He's such an idiot!" Gumi commented shouting, channeling her fury into him to avoid doing something to the woman. "I hate idiots!"

"Uh... Ah." Was the only thing Miki could say at her sudden outburst.

"That reminds me," She banged her hand with her fist. "where are my goggles?! Until now, I've been a good maid so give them back!"

Miki frowned not connecting the relation between Gakupo being an idiot and her not returning her goggles. "Well... I have them with me... I could give them to you..." Gumi's face lit up. "... but I've heard you haven't been as good as you proclaim. You've been seen sneaking into my room, you can't do that~." Miki changed her tone to tease her. "I'm your superior and you have to show respect!"

"T-That's not my fault!" The green-haired servant flushed knowing she has been caught. "Y-You had them for almost a week! Of course I grew impatient! I didn't do it on the first or second day!" She tried to defend herself.

"Because Miku-san was injured. Don't you think I didn't notice the look you gave me when I took them." Miki replied.

"Uh... Huh? Wait! If you noticed my face why did you still have them? By my face you should have known those are important for me!" The maid grew more flustered by the second, now a servant shorter than her that she has just met was teasing her? What's wrong with the world?

"Well, this way you're more motivated to work! It has been demonstrated!" Miki said as a matter of fact. Blank face. "So work hard to earn them and, in three more days, if you work good you'll paid all the debts you have! The service this castle offer you aren't cheap you know! Okay, I'll take my leave!"

The green-haired maid stared at her until she was gone. "... What debts?... Eh! Wait! Give me back my goggles!" The red-haired spin to take out her tongue at her and ran away again. "Just... What's wrong with that woman?"

Important! I knew I said this was going to be the second part, but actually it ended up being so long I decided to "split" this part in two more so insted of 2 chapters 9, there will be 3... The third part is more or less done and chapter 10 is being done. It is being a difficult chapter to write so it will take long.

I'm really grateful to the people who reviwes and read my story even when I haven't updated in such a long time so thanks!