The Witch Hunter Chapter 9 - Bandits, a vocaloid fanfic

A/N: First of all, I'm really sorry. Turns out I wasn't able to update before my school starts. But here it is, an 8k+ chapter. I had a bit of an writer's block so sorry again for the delay. But anyways, here we have dear Lenny in action!

Len eyed the candle lanterns illuminating the dark area of the cave they were in, placed on either side for equal light. The cave led to a long tunnel, also illuminated by the same lanterns to see its path. Before him, Jun waited drenched from head to toe. The small cave was hidden by a short waterfall, acting as their door and shield. It was a smart idea. Obvious, but smart. It irked Len the slightest, knowing that these bandits were just hiding beneath their nose. Nonetheless, he kept his cool. He and Jun ―together with two more men guarding Len on either side― were the only ones yet who have entered the cave, waiting for the others. Len dropped his gaze on Jun, surveying his surroundings instead and imprinting every detail in his mind when he saw the taller blonde rubbed his temples in an attempt to control his patience.

Len knew the reason why they were waiting for so long; everybody does. For half an hour, Rin had been a nuisance. At first, Len really couldn't blame her. Those four men tasked to keep an eye on her insisted on carrying the petite girl over their shoulders like a sack of potatoes. Each and every one of them had a broken nose and a bruised eye. All from her kneeing them straight in the face. One had attempted to carry her a different way; putting his arms behind her knees and behind her shoulders. He was walking before her, and he didn't really watch long enough to see what happened. But that man had ended up worse than the others. She wasn't exactly silent as well, spatting colorful words with a snarl when one even tried to touch her. By then, Jun had snapped, stopping to yell at the witch. Len saw the usual smug smirk plastered on her face from all those injured men. She dropped it though, whether from Jun's fierce glare or from his warning glance, Len didn't know. It only took a few minutes before she opened her big mouth again. This time, spewing insults after questions and her teasing altogether. She had refused to cooperate. That much was obvious. But she was wasting time and with Jun's rather short temper ―surprisingly shorter than Len's― he was yelling every damn second that Len lost the chance to ask. Interrogate.

Shaking his head to rid of the wet fringe blocking his eyes, the others finally went through the waterfall, immediately coming out wet. The short waterfall was found near a creek deep in the woods, and definitely far from where he and Rin were before. Back then, in his tired state, all Len wanted was to never stop to reach the village. He was more than ready to crash on the cheapest inn and the nearest bed. Now, his body was tense. Alert and on guard.

Len wouldn't say that he was entirely sure, but the theory of Rin behind all this may be possibility. She was gone the whole day yesterday; still, Len couldn't be sure. These Bandits may be a minor problem before, but their increase in numbers gradually made them as one of Crypton's major problems. Serving under the Witches' rule, their objective is to eliminate their enemies: Hunters. And free all captive witches if they are to cross one. For what in return; no one knows. The reason why would they go against their own race; no one knows either.

This, was a perfect chance to know.

"Cold!"

Blinking out of his stupor, Len lifted his hooded gaze just in time to see Rin wrung her drenched sleeves with a huff. The last two jumped in after Rin, ending Jun's wait much to his relief. The heated glare from the man didn't go unnoticed by Rin as she returned it with fervor. Despite his assumptions, Len could see the genuine confusion and anger in Jun. Their job was to help Rin, a witch. If Rin did called for them, then why would he be confused? Unless, it would be part of an act. But Rin already had a chance of freedom. Why would she come back, Len was still baffled.

"Choose a better door, prick."

Swallowing his sigh, Len didn't have the energy to bother as Rin spat another insult to Jun. That, however, is one of the flaw to Len's theory. Rin seems to have taken a dislike already to Jun (and vice-versa) when they shouldn't. Aren't they on the same side?

"Shut it, witch."

"Choose a better comeback, as well."

The walk on the long tunnel was silent. Len's clothes clung on him in their drenched state, chilling his skin. The slight warmth from the candle lanterns offered little, but it was better than nothing. Rin stuck close to them, occasionally rubbing off the grime stuck in between her toes. The earth was rather dump, probably due to being in the lower area and the fact that it is near water, and under it.

"How long?" he didn't need to elaborate.

"There." Jun nudged his head towards the opening by the end of the tunnel, walking just in front of Len.

Narrowing his eyes, Len prepared himself. It wasn't long before the group reached the opening, with Jun and Len leading. The first thing Len caught was the long stairs built on the side, each step steep and uneven with no railing to hold. A silent gasp wheezed past Len, jade eyes widening as it took in the dome-like structure of the hidden post of the bandits. It was certainly extensive, with enough candle lanterns to brighten the area on every shack Len could see from his position.

"Our base." Jun grinned, smug. "And your new home, Hunter." he cackled, jogging down the stairs with a grin. The comment brought a frown on Len, but he followed wordlessly. This hidden site must have been here for a long time, with the way these guys are accustomed with the imperfections. Len was slow, careful with his footing with the narrow steps. It was a long flight, and Len fidgets with his bound wrists. The second Jun had ushered them to move back then, rough hands quickly tied a thick rope on him, tearing the flesh underneath. He made a small struggle, but didn't cause much trouble unlike someone else.

Five steps left and two behind Len, Rin growled at the hand pushing her shoulder. She was already pissed with her drenched form —ripping off the soaked white ribbon and slapping it straight on the face of a random guy. She was getting tired from their assaults, and her confusion regarding Len's decision is still swarming in her mind. For all she knew, he's making assumptions in that thick brain of his about how she called for this weirdos.

"Stop pushing me." Rin growled. He did, gulping in fright.

"Jun!" dozen pairs of eyes went towards the oncoming man, his arms wide open with a big grin showing off sharp canines. Sharp, brown eyes gleamed with satisfaction upon seeing the arrival of the group.

Jun offered a smirk, but Len was able to decipher the slight slump of his shoulders, and the slight stutter of anxiety present in his eyes.

"Al," Jun greeted. "Got some gifts for you."

Al rolled his eyes, clapping a large hand on Jun's shoulder. Rin was amazed with his height, easily towering Jun with his massive size, with the latter reaching just below his shoulders. And Len was shorter than Jun, and she was shorter than Len. He's big; Big Al.

"Of course you do." Al chuckled. He nodded at the other man behind Jun, silently praising them for their cooperation.

"Huh?" Al arched a brow, eyes narrowing in suspicion as he observed the five men at the back, lowering their heads in shame when his eyes landed on them.

"What the hell happened to your faces?" he barked.

They didn't answer. Jun chewed on his bottom lip, tapping his fingers on his waist to ease his anxiety, calming the wild rhythm of his heart.

"Well?" Al snorted.

Clearing his throat, Jun offered a short explanation. "The witch was the one behind their injuries, Boss."

Len stored his title in his mind, at the same time Jun shrunk under Al's scorching glare.

"Don't fuck with me, Jun," he leaned down, snarling at Jun's pale face. "Tell me you're joking if you don't want your sorry ass fried."

Gulping, Jun answered. "S-She did."

"He's right."

Two pairs of eyes —one livid, the other thankful— snapped towards the dripping form of Rin. She watched with a certain amount of disinterest at the display, yet a hint of annoyance was there when her eyes challenged Al, not caring at all with their height difference.

"I kneed their pathetic faces."

The tension increased when Al stalked towards Rin, his face darkening. Rin didn't react when he stopped before her, the useless idiots leaving her side to stay away from Al. She didn't react when she have to tilt her head up when he looked down on her. And she didn't react when the man yanked her up on her collar with one hand, raising her from the ground and to his height.

He growled, attempting to intimidate the witch. Rin beg to differ; just because he's massive in size and her powers is restrained doesn't really make a difference.

"Anger her," Len spoke.

Rin glanced to her side, noting Len's blank stare on the hand on her collar.

"Anger her, and you're dead." Len added. "You may be a giant ass shit, but she's a witch." Len's tone dropped, meeting the angry brown orbs with his own. "Don't; if you value you life."

A wry grin made its way on Rin, feeling pride swell in her chest. Ironic, a Hunter agreeing with a witch.

"The human's right."

Al seemed to contemplate of his situation. Staring at Rin's mocking blue eyes with distrust. He worked under her kind. All of them should know that. So why? Narrowing his eyes, he thought he saw a hint of gold flash in those sapphire eyes. Blinking, Al searched for it again.

It was gone. Gone as soon as he saw it. But, it could be his mind playing tricks at him.

Rin stared at him.

If it wasn't for his keen eyes, Len wouldn't have been able to see the hint of recognization flicker in Al. His shoulders tensed ever so slightly, before he dropped Rin carelessly.

He knows her. Len narrowed his eyes.

"Jun," Al called.

"Y-Yes?"

Jun thought for a moment, that Al seemed to have cooled down when he saw the upward tilt of his dry lips. But then his arm stretched, hands gripping Jun's neck in a tight choke.

"Useless." Al muttered. "You brought an Elite here, stupid. And the Pumpkin too."

Panic sparked through Len as well as shock. Rin's face was never seen before, and her identity wasn't even shown when Dell made the news. How did he know?

How did he know he's an Elite?

"W-What...?" Jun gasped. "H-He had...no... p-pin..!" —Jun struggled to catch his breath— "A-And... we didn'...t...know..!"

Al released Jun, letting the man gasp for air. Ignoring him, he met Len's confused eyes.

"Everyone in Yamaha knows Kagamine Len." he said, smirking at Len's sharp intake of breath.

"Wha—"

"Put 'em in a cell." Al waved them off.

Len struggled, gritting his teeth. "Wait a minute!"

Who is he? Everyone in Yamaha? Was he a Hunter? Thoughts and theories ran through Len's mind in a whirl, and he was thirsty for answers. Pulling his arm again, Len called for the brunette.

"WAIT!"

"Who are they?" asked Jun later, gingerly rubbing a hand on his bruised neck as he sat on a poorly made wooden chair with the legs crook. A towel was offered to him before and was draped over his damp head, his clothes changed for a cleaner pair. His eyes shot questions at Al, who was barking orders around their main cabin.

Al paused, glancing over his shoulder to stare at Jun, momentarily catching the black imprints of his fingers on his neck. He had no remorse nor guilt, but he did felt stupid for harming one of his useful men; despite his ego and idiocy showing up in the wrong times. A hand raked through dark brown locks, slicked back in style.

"Is that kid really that Kagamine guy you mentioned before?" Jun added.

Sighing, Al answered, "Yes, he is."

Jun snorted. "Pretty young and small compared to his reputation."

Al shot a warning glare at Jun. "That boy is strong. And pretty damn smart too. A prodigy, really." he said. "You really shouldn't underestimate others, Jun."

"Then how come we got him?" Jun challenged.

Al laughed; a deep, mocking laugh. "Don't be cocky, Jun. He probably went with you willingly. See and understand more about us. Besides, don't think I didn't saw how your men limped around like a wussy. They were battered up good," Al smirked. "And all because of a 'pretty young and small boy'."

Jun lowered his head in shame, a bubble of anger surging within him from having someone beat him. He was an Elite, but that was a petty excuse for Jun. It was only a title, right? Nothing more. Blinking, Jun brought his gaze back on Al, remembering something.

"What about the witch?"

"Hm?" Al hummed, arching a brow at Jun.

"She doesn't want our help. And she fought alongside the kid." Jun's tone changed from monotone to perplexed, as if fitting a wrong puzzle piece in place. "She had those Energy Restraint cuffs, but she fought well even with those! She's a fucking bitch too!" Jun growled, eyes narrowing in a glare as an image of that smug smirk pop in his mind. "Just who the hell is she!?"

"Oh," Al mumbled. "She's important. That's all."

Lowering his gaze, Jun accepted the cup of water from his comrade, nodding in thanks. The fresh water soothes his throbbing throat as he gulped it all, sighing in relief.

"Jun," the man called, patting his pockets as he waited for the cup. "Have you seen the key?"

Rin paced around her cell, the ground cold and damp under her feet. The shackles clasped around her ankles dragged against the ground as she walk, restraining her freedom up to just a two feet radius. Unfortunately, they have no key for her cuffs. Then again, Al had ordered her to be restrained as well. When they were shoved into the deepest and the darkest place of the underground hideout, Rin had seen enough. These people had built in shacks after shacks, each having a person assigned to keep all their valuables, clothes and weapons in it. The others were cabins for them to rest.

All of their stuffs and weapons, were weapons of a Hunters. Stolen, obviously.

Beside her, it had affected Len greatly.

Thick, metal bars separated her cell to his, with the cold black stones digging on Len's back as he sat on the cold floor. His eyes followed Rin as she paced around her cell, mindlessly dragging her feet in boredom. Both his wrists and ankles were shackled, having the same chain length as Rin's and nailed against the wall. He was pissed; slumping against the wall to even his heavy breathing. The second his cell was locked, Len had been ready to explode.

He saw everything; his breath caught as if hit in the gut when he saw all those weapons with the Yamaha insignia proudly showing off its title. But it was tainted now, used by treacherous humans who didn't deserve to wield those weapons. He saw a group of the same people training. Most important of all, he saw the whole map of Crypton in one shack ―the biggest one in what Len assumed to be the main 'shack'― with all their hideouts labelled and where.

That was what he was looking for.

Len's nose tickled, pushing his tongue on the roof of his mouth to stiffle his sneeze just in time. He gritted his teeth from the force of his sneeze, grumbling as he raised a drenched sleeve to wipe his nose. The cold nipped his skin with his still drenched clothes clinging to his body. His hair was matted and he knew that getting it out of its ponytail will be a quite a job later on.

"Bless you."

Basked under the soft glow of a candle lantern, Rin stood staring at him, twisting her lips when she heard the faint sneeze from Len. Humans sneeze, and others would always say that phrase. Again, another confusing culture of their race.

Snapping his eyes towards her, Len met her bewildered stare. For a moment, Len appreciated the shadows dancing on her skin by the light. Before, Len had convinced himself to think of her ribbon as horns of the devil. She certainly is one. Now —though matted hair and drenched clothes, Len remembered their first encounter. She looks nothing but an innocent villager, granted with that mischievous glint in those sky colored eyes.

"Don't do that."

Confused, Rin raised one eyebrow in question. "Do what?"

"Say things —human things." Len stated, returning his gaze on his shackled wrists. It twinged with pain, but his whole body was numb with the cold that he easily overlooked the pain of his torn skin.

Rin didn't reply, remaining quiet and never dropping her stare. Her shackles clinked as her feet dragged it across the cell. Len chose not to acknowledge her presence beside him, just seperated by the metal bars of their cell. He inched farther away when she leaned her back against the bars, slidding to sit down.

Whatever reaction she had with his previous statement, she didn't show it.

"What are you planning?"

Turning his head ever so slightly, Len stared at her back, watching her shoulders curl as she breath.

"What do you mean?" Len asked.

Rin snorted, rolling her eyes. "Don't play dumb. You went with them on purpose." Rin snapped, a scowl surfacing in her features, though Len could not see. "What I'm concerned with is, how are you planning to escape this," ―she flailed her arms, gesturing towards their captivity― "hellhole."

The cold whispers of silence was what answered her, at first. Len hesitated, his tongue pushing itself to just answer, but his mind battled not to. Turning the tables, Len snatched the role as the interrogator.

"He knows you. That Al." his fist clenched at his name. "Do you know him?" Snapping jade eyes at her, he watched as Rin shifted, turning so he could see the side of her profile. She tucked her knees to her chest, arms lazily placed over her knees. She met his accusing gaze evenly, betraying none. The darkness of the room made her eyes gleam, a piercing jewel illuminated by the small light. He remembered that splitting second when he saw her irises changed; the blue of the sky for a moment then the next, a dangerous gold. She was a witch; inside and out.

"No, I don't." she answered.

Bullshit. He wanted to say. Len didn't believe it, but her blank gaze had spurred doubts in his brain. She could know him; she couldn't. The fact that she was thrown here in a cell as well had satisfied Len that she has nothing to do with them, and them with her. But he saw Al. He saw the briefest flash of recognition when his eyes widened; he saw the shock of fear trembled his arms in the slightest way.

Before Len had a chance to reply, the faint sound of whistling reached his ears, announcing the arrival of someone to check up on them. Rin didn't react the way Len did, already anticipating for the oncoming guard. Instead, she watched Len on the corner of her eyes, observing and complimenting in her mind.

The guard came into view, whistling a tune and pointedly ignoring the two as he stationed himself on a metal stool.

"Hey," Rin grinned. "How's it going?"

The guard scoffed, pursing his lips in disbelief as he scanned the carefree air the witch gives. "Are you really the Pumpkin, or Boss is just mistaken?" he muttered to himself. She was small, and very quite petite. Her sunny blonde hair and blue eyes certainly didn't belong to a dangerous witch.

Rin heard him though. Soon, her grin gradually turned into an irritated pout. "That's not my name."

The guard only had a chance to scoff before he was thrown haphazardly unconscious on the floor. Towering over the fallen man, Len gingerly rubbed his knuckles, glaring at the pathetic sight.

"Nice punch." Rin mused. A small tilt upwards was present on her lips, catching the sight of the unfastened shackles left on the cell floor. His cell floor.

"When did you steal the key, by the way?" Rin questioned, watching Len stretched one arm to grasp the keys from the unconscious man's belt. Once he got it, he made his way to unlock his door, sighing as it swung open.

Stepping out of his cell, Len crouched beside the fallen guard, eyeing in approval of the two pistols in its respective holsters. Unclasping the belt, Len removed it from the man, wrapping it around his waist instead with a small click in place. Len didn't waste any more time, quickly unlocking the cell that held Rin with a quick turn of the key.

"Here," Len muttered, weakly tossing the single key for her shackles. Doing a quick glance before he went, he added. "I'll be right back."

Rin payed him no mind, staring solely on the silver key laying on the ground. She waved him off, not really caring whether he waited for her or not. Crawling towards the key, Rin extended one arm to reach it.

With a snap of her legs, the shackles around her ankles tightened their hold, restraining her from going any further. It took Rin a second to progress the information, then another to sink in her situation. However, she couldn't ―in her life―accept it. Fingers twitched in growing annoyance, just near to grabbing the key and finally freeing herself. If it wasn't for the restraints.

He purposely threw it far enough for me not to reach it, so I couldn't escape. Again. For the second time, Rin found herself outwitted with the human. A clear, obvious trick one at that. Yet, despite the bubbling exasperation in her hopeless situation, Rin was impressed.

"Why that cheater."

It was when Jun found himself in the middle of a meeting ―with Al leading as their proclaimed leader, talking mindlessly about meeting a witch― that they were interrupted by the alarm bell; a single bell stationed near the cells rung by anyone to alert of a threatening danger. As soon as it rung, Jun immediately came to life, awakened from nearly sleeping again in their meetings. He had deemed them useless and a waste of time. After all, all those vixens seemed to only want to meet their leader: Al.

"Boss!" someone cried. "It's that Kagamine!"

Growling, Al slammed his fists on the wooden table. It shook under his palms, threatening to crack once again but Al paid no heed. His eyes shot towards the alert frame of Jun, gritting his teeth in anger. Blaming the boy is irresponsible for his part as well as futile. But he brought an Elite; one that should have never been brought here nor see this place. Worst of all, he brought the right Elite, out of all of them. True, all are strong and smart in their own, but that Kagamine have always been a problem.

"CAPTURE HIM!" Al barked, shooing all his men, watching them scamper away and shakily complying to his wishes. Pathetic. "DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY, YOU DUMB ASSHOLES!" Al stormed towards his shed, pushing past running men as he went his way. But before doing so, he snatched the arm of a running Jun, halting him to his actions.

"Keep an eye on Pumpkin. We need her."

Confused and disappointed to miss some actions, Jun nodded reluctantly, pursing his lips to avoid questions spilling from his mouth.

Shoving him away, Al ushered him to do his job. "Go!"

While wielding a gun is not foreign to Len's experienced hands, he disliked using the weapon. It had spurred numerous disagreements and petty quarrels between him and Gumi, as she had took a deep favoritism on the weapons, he remembered. Nonetheless, he was always the one giving in first. He was skilled in that field, not exactly shooting all targets with ease like his green-haired friend but he was close. His distaste on guns was the only thing that had rendered him from improving and surpassing Gumi in her field of expertise. It was loud, and jerky; openly announcing himself and the fact that it brings attention with every trigger he makes. To Len, using a gun was also a bit cowardice. It had offended Gumi greatly, but it was his opinion. Using a gun enables you to fight long-range, and away from the enemy's harm. It lets you away from danger, and for that, you have the advantage. Len was adamant to fight fair and square no matter who, and so he stuck with the katana. It was what brought him and Gakupo together in a master-apprentice kind of relationship. The older man was far more skilled compared to him in terms of blades and swords of all kinds, and he had taught Len a thing or two. It was the reason he had grown the respect Gakupo, despite his petty and childish arguments with Kaito.

That was the reason why he had only opt to use the holstered guns on his sides for emergency only, relying most on his reflexes and hand-to-hand combat while without his blade. They were swarming around him now, but Len showed no sign of raising the white flag. He continued, counting the men fallen in his mind after every swift cut, jab, and kick to their body.

31, 32, 33, Len grunted when someone landed on his back, trusting his relfex as he elbowed the man on the ribs. 34.

He was out in the open now, far away from the cell where he left Rin. He just have to find where they hid his bag and weapons.

44, 45, 46, 47...50. Len delivered a spinning kick, easily evading the quick spin of a wooden bo-staff directed to his head. He cursed when they all seemed to be hounding on him, edging him to use the guns on his waists despite his stubborn decision not to.

54, 55, 56, 57, 58, Len twisted his torso, hitting another man with the base of his palm. Quickly crouching to his knee, Len swept the man literally off his feet, doing a quick uppercut when someone tried to take advantage of his stance.

59.

Len ran, finding a small opening between the mass of men pursuing him, shoving them away with his shoulder and punching them directly in the face. His knuckles were painted red with blood with his onslaughts of attacks. Len knew; it was definitely not his blood.

"Get him!" one roared, pointing a gun on the blonde head standing out like a sore thumb with the ponytail.

Hearing the sound of the safety being removed, Len quickly pulled his own ―stolen― gun, previous decisions be damned. It was now or never.

Not even hesitating to shoot, Len threw a quick glance on his target before firing the trigger in a loud bang. He was fast, and the man's own fault he was too slow. Len didn't kill him, shooting the man on his shoulder then another on the leg so he wouldn't get up—

60!—He'd be damned if he killed a human.

Quickly spinning on his heel, Len dove through the thin, wooden wall; crashing in and successfully breaking the whole wall into splinters. He scowled when his arms throbbed in slight pain, but he immediately pushed the thoughts out of his head when he saw his bag and his weapons hung on a hook. Acting quick, Len swept them all in his arms, tugging his bag open with one hand before dumping them all back in his duffle. Swinging it over his shoulder in tact, Len quickly grasped the lone sword on a nearby table, feeling his fingers brush the familiar rough and slightly tattered hilt of his katana. Breathing a soft sigh through his nose, Len felt calm with his katana.

"Finally." Snapping his eyes open with renewed vigor, Len unsheathed his katana, revealing the onyx dark blade in its glory. His cry—loud and determined—mingled with the dozens of dozens more.

Al was furious.

All of his gathered men; useless.

All of the stolen weapons; useless.

All of his top men; useless.

He was seething, gritting his teeth furiously as he watched the unconscious men splayed like rags on top of each other, some twitching to get up, others out dead in the world. Most were bleeding, spatting blood from the corner of their mouths and coating their lips with the metallic taste, and others had blood flowing from the side of their faces or staining their shirts with a dark spot. He didn't have to check twice to see that they were, fortunately, breathing. However damaged they are, they're still alive. Al wasn't expecting anything less form a Hunter anyway―all accustomed and eager for the fall of the witches, but never to their own race.

Humans. All are evil.

He, Al, is evil.

Just by staring at the scene, he knew that no one can stop the Elite. He had defeated almost all, and the others still standing are only yet to follow the others' fate. He wasn't stupid. But at this rate, that boy will escape, and bring that wretched witch with him to continue his job. No doubt, he'll also be the source of their problem soon.

Len have seen enough.

So while clenching the the rough texture of a grenade, Al had made his decision. He should have stuck with his original plan in killing the boy rather than throwing him in the cell. He was of no use, nothing but a trophy to brag against.

He had sent Jun to watch that witch. And he prayed in whoever is listening to him, that the idiot could at least succeed in that.

All there is left is the Elite Hunter. He had to be gone. Doesn't matter if in the process, Al will too. But he will damn make sure that Len will not breathe as soon as he throw the grenade. His men be damned as well. Useless freaks.

"Die." pulling his arm back, Al prepared himself to send it flying in the air. However, he let out a strangled cry, feeling his arm bent backwards and his bone snap into two.

"FUCK!" he growled. Al cradled his broken arm as he fell to his knees, biting on his tongue to stop himself from screaming. Eyes ablaze, he glared up to see whoever had the nerve to do that to him.

As if done naturally, his eyes met the aloof gaze of blue; mildly disinterested, yet angered with her hardened stare.

"Don't you dare." Rin stated, cocking her head as she looked down as he knelt. A ghost of that blasted smirk was there as Rin found amusement on the irony that she would be staring down at someone at his enormous size.

"How...?" Al growled.

Shrugging, Rin glanced at Len―completely oblivious to Al and busy with those insects whom had the nerve to challenge someone like him. She nearly chortled at the thought, but held herself. After all, he seemed to be getting tired with the others, no matter how invisible he is.

Despite the logical explanation that she should help him, Rin felt too lazy at the moment.

"Oh, you mean Jun?" Rin sent him a look. "Idiot's an idiot. But thank you for sending him. He helped me reached the key." Rin stretched her lips in a grin, thinking back when the blonde had accidentally kicked the key in her direction. She had been gleeful, and had acted quick as she unlocked her shackles and using Jun's stunned state as a moment to strike.

She happily left him shackled in her place, chuckling as she envisioned the man screaming from his lungs.

"Anyway," Rin sighed, stepping away from Al. "The two of us need to go."

Using one hand to raise himself, Al spat. "Return."

Rin stopped, rigid. When she looked back on his pathetic self, gone were her lazy aura, replaced with the sharp icy blue that stroke fear in Al. He cowered when she went back, crouching to his eye level.

"So you do know me." Rin mused, her tone different and light compared to her face. Calmly, her fingers brushed the fallen grenade next to her with a gentle caress, making the hairs on Al's arm stand as he tensed, freezing in his position.

Al glared at her, despite his trembling shoulders. While paying thorough attention on the grenade in her grip, Al sneered. "Come back."

The pin on the grenade was plucked away. Removed.

Al blanched, his mind immediately counting down the timer. The expression on Rin's face grew colder, and darker; a malicious smirk curling slowly on her lips as she mocked him.

"Oops." she said. "But you should know, I won't." Rin replied to his earlier command.

With the countdown in her mind, Rin dropped the grenade next to the big man, quickly spinning on her heel and headed towards the direction where the fighting was currently taking place.

"Come on!" Rin clutched the back of Len's shirt in a hurry, not caring whether he stumbled or not.

"What the hell!?" Len growled, ducking to avoid a hit. Rin mirrored his action, her face twsiting in irritation when these idiots didn't know when to stop.

Ignoring Len's protests, Rin tugged him with her; a difficult task considering her cuffed hands. Only Len can remove that; but she doubt he would ever will.

Her speed and his outmatched the others as they ran. Len didn't protest anymore as he saw the urgency in her steps. Whatever the danger was now, he'll accept her actions. Just this once.

The flight of stairs was a bitch. Rin gritted her teeth at its length, her feet thudding against the uneven steps taking two at the time, then three just as much she can with her short legs with Len as her shadow.

When they made it back to the tunnel, it was when Len realized that they were being followed. He barked Rin to get faster, but with her restrained powers and short legs, he could only follow as much. Groaning to himself, Len rolled his eyes, sucking up his protests as he wordlessly threw his arms around her middle.

"What—" Rin yelped as she was turned and twisted in Len's grasp, before she was harshly thrown over his shoulder. Her eyes were wide when Len started to move faster, his steps longer that hers considerably as he ran quickly in the dimly lit tunnel.

Rin clutched the back of Len's shirt, her ears picking up the shouts growing distant with each step. He was fast. Rin actually felt herself slumped with this realization.

Len is fast; faster when they fought.

Almost as she was.

Just almost though.

"There!" Len saw the forming cave in the distance, spotting the waterfall of a door in an instant as he ran faster.

He didn't know from whatever they were running from, but he served the men following after them as a good enough reason.

Len quickened his steps again, clutching Rin harder over her waist with both hands. His bag was heavy enough, and his sheathed katana on his waist tapped against his thigh every single step he took. With a goal in mind, he ignored them.

Len barged out of the waterfall in a jump. And not too soon, the sound of the grenade exploding reached Len and Rin's ear. It was loud, big enough to destroy that underground base and everyone in it, Rin mused. But the force behind the explosion caused the air to slap against Len's back, catapulting the two hard over the small creek and drenching themselves once again.

Len cried out when he was slammed against a large boulder, the rock digging against his shoulder. He lost grip on Rin when they were flying through the air in a millisecond, and she landed a bit far from him. Fortunately for her, she landed on her bottom without any boulders or stones to injure her when she fell. It was painful still though.

With the adrenaline dying down, Len panted. "What was that?" his eyes searched Rin, feeling the pounding in his ears loud compared to the peaceful silence of the outside.

Rin was breathless, noticeably less than he was, but still panting. Her muscles still pulsed with the run's thrill, her blood rushing in her veins and flushing her skin pink. Lifting her shaking hands out of the water, Rin concluded the new sensations rushing within her. She had never been this breathless; not with her powers. But with it restrained completely by thick, wet cuffs around her wrists, she was experiencing 'new'.

"A grenade." Rin gasped out.

Len sat up in a flash. "What?"

Rin explained in one word, stopping Len's further suspicion of her. "Al."

When the night claimed its time, the crescent of the moon grinned down from its place above; granting the dark time with its light and company. Though shy, the stars twinkled by their place next to the moon, providing of the little light they could as well. Through the sound of silence, most nocturnal animals did their prey; with the echoing hooting of an owl heard from a distance as it sailed through the dark. The night was calming at its best, yet highly dangerous. It was one of the reasons why Len initiated to stop for the night, his muscles aching from the walking for setting whatever distance they could away from the hidden cave behind the waterfall and the hideout within. The day had been far eventful, and the aftermath left Len aching, throbbing, thirsty, and tired. The wind had long since dried his shirt, but left him cold and shivering until he finally made the bonfire for the night. His hair, free and out of its rubber, was matted and sticking to all directions like a bird's nest. He couldn't find it in himself to fix it though, opting to shower in an inn the first thing tomorrow. Before they were taken, Len was sure that they would've reached the village half an hour, given their pace back then. Doing the math now, he was sure that they could reach it in five hours―or less if they quicken their pace.

Ridding his damp shirt, Len threw it over a low branch nearby, using the bright glow of the fire to see. He made sure that it was spread neatly and evenly, leaving it to hang over the night to dry. Rubbing a hand over his face with a small sigh, Len allowed his eye lids to fall, resting his tired eyes for a second. Though tired beyond reason, Len's mind wouldn't rest. His day had been a very eventful incident, and with the adrenaline long had been died down, he was more than ready to drop and sleep. His captive and his job were what had prevented him from doing just that; tense and alert even after everything.

But what really kept him from resting was the heavy feeling in his chest. Bandits or no, they were still humans; people. Maybe deceived, or possessed a valid reason as to why they have to betray their own kind, and despite a problem to Hunters like him, Len still couldn't shake off all the deaths in one day, in one time, and in one go. That Al the leader may have been the one who threw the grenade, but it still left a heavy height on Len's shoulder, along with probably the near hundred of people in it. He was Hunter, not a killer. He fights and captures witches, leaving the elimination part to the Yamaha Base II―the Yamaha base of the North in Reyn. His job was risky, dangerous, and his chances of dying is always high every time he ventures with his rank. But he had never stained his hands. Not until now.

Len had planned an in-an-out scenario, expecting for a quick and silent escape once he had gotten all the information he needed. That Al person was clearly a Hunter, or was a Hunter. Whoever he was or how he knew him, Len doesn't know. But maybe he was the reason for all the disappearance of Hunters every year. He knew how they act and work, and how they move. Logically, he could bring them down because he knew them first-handed. He was one of them once. Why he went away, Len doesn't know. And his mind was thirsting for answers. Answers for himself, and for Dell. And the person who could answer those is dead, along with his lackeys. It was a burden that Len couldn't just shake off, because he was responsible for their deaths.

"You didn't kill them."

Throwing a discreet glance over his shoulder, Len studied Rin's feature; slumped near towards the fire yet sat as far away from him as possible. Not that Len minded. In fact, he would've encourage her to do just that. He couldn't though, for the sake of his job itself and everything else. However, the change was clear in the witch's mood. Like a dark cloud looming over her hunched form. Though matted hair and drenched—slowly drying—kimono, she paid no heed to her appearance. Len wasn't even concerned; witches can never get cold. But still, maybe it was just his imagination, or the way the shadow dance through her features, but there was a certain hollowness in her eyes that wasn't there before. Guarded, but there.

"It was a grenade that killed them," she muttered just for him to hear. "Not you."

Shrugging, Rin gave a brief glance to Len, her face blank yet her tone oddly laced with solemn sincerity, despite the next words that fell from her mouth. "You like you're gonna shit yourself," she added. "Thought you should know."

Len didn't answer, just staring even when she dropped her gaze back to the fire. Her words were odd, yet had surprisingly removed the weight of his chest, even just a little. An incident like that couldn't be forgotten in just hours, nor days, or months. No, it would take time. But she had turned his attention back to her again. And she is probably the reason for all his questions. Len was by no means concerned about her welfare for now, but his curiosity was there; scattered all over about different things and about everything. Usually, Rin would be jumping at any given chance to belittle him, which is technically every second. Now, she was distant ever since they started trudging back through the thick woods in their shivering bodies. Her sudden change of attitude was startling, leaving Len wondering.

Al knew her, though she obviously doesn't know him. But Len saw him; he saw the the fear etched beneath those narrowed eyes when he recognized her, he saw the brief stagger and freezing in his arm when he set her down.

Then there was the matter of her trust. Len was sure as the earth is round that he did not trust Rin not even one bit. But her surrendering had been suspicious at most, yet he didn't really bother nor care. All he cared about was finishing his job and ridding her off the face of earth for good. But now he's questioning himself again; who is she? She had the brief taste of freedom from her so-called 'fun' from playing hide and seek with him, one-sidedly. He was on the edge of accepting his fate of doing it all over again had she not come back. She did, and willingly so.

And earlier today, she saved him. It wasn't the most heroic kind of saving, nor was it touching the least. But the fact that she did was there. She could've ran away on her own, but she dragged him in the most obvious and clumsy way just to get out in a hurry. Even if she just clumsily charged with her shoulders while awkwardly dragging him with cuffed wrists, and even if he did have to lose those behind him because she wasn't exactly helping him fight; just drag. It wasn't an overly heroic way, but she did. He didn't even know there was a bomb, but he went with her nonetheless.

Wordlessly walking before the bonfire and across from Rin, Len carefully sat on the ground, hissing through his teeth when his thighs throbbed in protest. He embraced the pain, biting the inside of his cheek as he picked a stick to poke around the fire.

"What was that?"

Len brought his gaze up, meeting Rin's perplexed stare.

"What was what?" he questioned back.

Rin's eyes narrowed in the slightest, pursing her lips in thought. She heard him wince, even if he thought she didn't. What happened today was none of her concern regradless to him, but she felt like an idiot for not even sensing an ambush like that. With or without the cuffs, her senses remained the same. She had been sloppy with her guard, and she kicks herself for that. But now she vowed not to do so again. She heard him wince ever so clearly because she was listening. Because unlike Len who was damp for his first experience killing humans—not exactly but he seems to think so—Rin was tired of it.

"Don't play dumb with me," she rolled her eyes, willing her sass to come back. "When you fought back there, you were good. Better. Excellent, even,"—she narrowed her eyes—"You weren't like that when we fought. You were sloppy. What the hell?" Rin snapped with a frown.

Mirroring Rin's frown, Len searched her eyes. She was irked, whether an impact to her pride or just plain baffled he didn't know. So he answered in the most honest and blunt way.

"I was angry." he said, dropping his gaze back on the flames.

Rin pushed. "Just that?"

Len snapped, shooting her a glare. "Livid."

That left Rin wordless, unconsciously eyeing the way the light made his eyes a rich, fiery emerald than a dark jade when he's mad.

Len clenched his hand around the stick poking the fire, dropping his eyes again for the last time.

She confused him. She annoyed him. Yet he was certain that even Luka, the one who is expert is reading people the most, couldn't decipher that same hollowness in her eyes flicker again. Again, maybe it was just the shadows dancing over her features, but he saw it.

He didn't know her anymore.

A/N: and that's a wrap. Sorry again for the delay, and I'm just announcing in advance that updates by now would be slow. Because school. You know the drill... But next chapter features our Rookies! Yep, they're finally back. So stay tuned (sounds like a commercial but nah.)

Clockwork Marionette - You can read online manga. Like, mangapanda, mangafox, etc. But anyways, the next issue won't be up 'til August *cries*. But yes, shoes do have lives *looks at my shoe creepily*. Why did I write shoes?

Damn You Len - your username is quite fitting for Len here XD. And I really picture Luka like Erza so, yeah, I agree. She is cool... I worship her. hehe. And no, I haven't really dropped Rin's reason yet but, I've been giving hints... Not exactly obvious, but just between the lines. Hehehe... Thank you again for the compliment!

BloddyPuppet - Nah, Rin ish noh goddesshhh... Hehe. But yes, Tei is eating human hearts. Not exactly cannibalism cuz she's of different race. But yes. It fits hers though, for me XD

Rikasa - hahahaha! That was a talent *joke*. But yes, sorry about THAT. It was necessary for the creepiness. Hehe. Rin will eventually get used to Len. Slowly, but surely. SnK is AWESOME IN EVERYTHING! The anime was good too, But I stick to manga. p.s, your name reminds me of Mikasa every damn time now.

mirrors02 - I like Rinny's a tease. She's just a ball of sunshine *sarcasm*. Lol, I guess your shipper side would like this too (I hope). But yes, I am late for SnK. BUT NO REGRETS. I don't really think it lost its plotline. I mean, it wasn't even in the climax part yet. Just building up the suspense for now... But yes, it's still awesome.

MysteriousSpottedOwl14 - it's alright if you don't really like SnK. Everyone is entitled for their own reasons. But damn, 15 times? Thank you SO MUCH! I'm glad you like it, and Rin and Len's relationship too.

Lolly101 - the next would be the Rookies's turn... Everyone is having battles.

Vocaloid X Otaku Nekomimi - Sorry if I didn't last weekend (or was it last last weekend?) I had a bit of writer's block and I'm glad you like the chapter. And me too, I want to rip our teachers for giving homework on the first day.