Chapter 21

Stiffly Len sat up in an enormous bed. His entire body protested the motion, but he refused to lay back down. His joints ached like an old man and he stretched carefully to loosen his sore body. When he was only mildly uncomfortable, he tested the extent of his receding pain by taking a deep breath. Len smoothed his shirt and uneven fabric brushed against his fingers. He breathed through the discomfort as he eased his shirt off. The shirt he pulled off wasn't the one he'd been wearing, but underneath his bandages were snug and firm: professionally done. He could've easily wrapped them himself, but he knew few others who could.

Still as he glanced around the room, he couldn't recall returning to the Megurine's. Briefly he remembered coming back with Miku, and then going for Rin when he'd discovered she hadn't been with the others. Exhausting himself, his running becoming tripping, as he searched for Rin. Upon finding her he'd carried Rin the distance back. Len flexed his fingers remembering the pain transitioning into numbness. He inferenced he'd pressed his limits, and everyone had carried him inside then sought medical help.

A smile graced Len's face as he stood. He'd successfully gotten the girls back to safety. Such actions didn't suit him, but he'd done them. Something stirred inside him at the thought. In the bathroom he stared into the mirror, and brushed aside his bangs, but the mysterious feeling wasn't written on his pale face. He shifted and his lips thinned into a firm line. He'd received nothing in exchange except the current state of his body. He should've been angry. He paced the bathroom, but the urge to shout at the girls for their irresponsibility failed to arise. His whole body ached with stiffness, but he was light.

With an exasperated sigh, he hunted for a band to tie his hair with. The feathery brush of his tresses against his neck and shoulder blades elicited swears from him; especially when he caught glimpses of himself in the mirror. With his hair down he looked alarmingly akin to his older brother Rinto. His face charming and trustworthy like a bishounen male from a manga. Not needing any more stalkers than he already had, Len tied his hair with a short elastic, and returned to the ponytail he was comfortable with.

Len surveyed his body after tossing his bandages aside. A few minuscule bruises lingered but for the most part other cuts and scrapes were too tiny to see. With a hard jerk of the lock, Len locked the bathroom door and stripped for a shower. The wash of water chilled him before it warmed up. He placed his hands flat against the tile and watched the water trickle down the drain. The heat of the water allowed him a release of tension and his body reveled and welcomed the distraction. Next to him on the boxy shower shelf were a few simple shampoos, conditioners and soaps. Len scrubbed and rinsed, then repeated the same process until the water chilled him.

Finally he stepped out, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around his lower body, feeling rejuvenated. He grabbed a second towel and dried his hair. Fog on the mirror skewed his visage as he strode past. The humid air playing heavily on his lungs. His shoulders screamed as he tugged his suitcase from under the his bed. His clothes were bland shades of blue in the night light, but he considered the possibility of going for a swim or walk. His gaze fell enviously on the the clear pathways outside his window. It would benefit him to keep moving otherwise the stiffness would return mercilessly.

He crossed to the window and sucked in the cool breeze till he was overwhelmed with a sweet aroma. The scent of cookies filled his nostrils. That's when he saw the cookies and the glass of milk. His stomach growled in need. For a few seconds Len was confused. Who in their right mind would leave cookies randomly next to someone's bed? He was the only one in the room and it didn't make sense anyone would make anything for him. However, he was hungry and didn't dwell on the issue for long. Soon he was sitting on his bed, a cookie in hand, and sipping milk. Len grimaced at the ridiculousness.

What delinquent eats cookies and drinks milk? It's not that he didn't like them, actually they were quite moist and delicious. He'd forgotten how delectable homemade food was. The last time he'd indulged in food made by someone else he'd still lived at home. His mother used to bring him treats while he'd studied. The memory brought a smile to his face and momentarily he considered visiting his family. However, that was all the idea became, because he recalled his brother's headlocks, his sister's habit of tripping him and slapping him on the back. His smile soured. Len stood up out of bed, quickly went to use the bathroom, and returned in search of some boxers. The door eased open behind him but kept assembling his clothes.

Once he had, he tossed those too onto the bed and glanced back to see who had entered.

His blue eyes locked with startled teal ones. It was Miku in makeshift pyjamas. Her face a vivid scarlet.

"Wha—What are you doing you pervert!" Miku cried, whipping the nearest thing she saw at him. A pen slapped ineffectively against Len's arm.

"You're the one that came in here without knocking," Len said irritably. "I just showered."

"Doesn't mean you should walk around naked," Miku protested, covering her eyes.

"I have a towel on don't I? That not good enough?"

"That's— "

"What do you want?"

"No, I uh . . . " Miku stared at the ground. Unable to meet Len's gaze while he wasn't dressed. Fabric shifted against fabric as he sifting through clothes. "You're awake in here. I wanted to check on you."

"Well, you have. Satisfied?"

"Right, but uh . . ."

"If there's nothing else the door's right behind you." When Miku neither spoke nor left, Len shoved his shirt into his suitcase and it swayed dangerously near the edge. "What do you want, Miku?"

"I wanted to chat for a bit," she squeaked. When Len did not reply she added, "I can go if you want."

She kept her gaze focused on the floor to still her trembling hands. Then upon her next breath lifted her gaze. Len sat leisurely on his bed. His fingers combing through his fringe. She tracked the movement to discipline her wandering eyes.

"Well, you're already in here," he stated. "You seem keen on staying."

"No, it's not, well," Miku's stammers faded to a mumble. "You showered so..."

"And?"

Miku's eyes darted around the room, but her traitorous gaze returned to the towel mere seconds after leaving it. Her jaw worked a few times, but she couldn't concentrate with Len's nearly naked form in front of her. He diligently combed his hair and made no movements for his clothing. She blushed furiously and finally turned around. Her gaze hard on the door.

"Put some clothes on you flasher!" She went rigid when warm breath brushed past her neck like fingers.

"You shouldn't turn your back to anyone. That's common delinquent knowledge," Len said. Miku jolted and stepped back onto his foot.

"You sh-shouldn't do things like that!" She swung for a punch but Len caught her fist. He scowled at her harsher than he'd meant and Miku flinched.

"No need to freak out. I was only educating you." Miku jerked her hand away from his.

"Dolt!" She swung again. Len dodged her blow, and Miku's momentum sent her stumbling forward. She crashed to the floor. Len stepped out of her reach. Wary of her next strike.

"My towel might fall, you know." Her whole face lit up with blistering red though Len couldn't see. "Seems you're well enough to abuse the injured." Miku stood and straightened her clothes. Her lips caught between her teeth but her gaze didn't leave the floor as Len changed.

"Sorry."

"I'd say it's fine, but it's not."

"I'm sorry," Her voice quavered.

The tears came unexpectedly, but Miku couldn't look at Len. Recently she'd been crying often. Len had told her before he didn't want her to cry in front of him. He had changed.

Before he'd loved to make girls cry. He'd mercilessly turned down confessions when he hadn't avoided female contact altogether. Shutting himself out. Locking himself away. His face constantly buried in books as he'd ignored his surroundings. She recalled with deep sorrow the transition in his eyes from cold to dull. He still caused trouble, but never concerned himself with anyone. Yet, Miku knew the center of his world never changed. The center of Len was Len. No matter what happened to him his philosophy never changed. She'd been attracted to his blunt and irritable, yet kind nature. Like now. Except now, Len was more...open. He was allowing people in and taking notice of his surroundings.

Back in elementary Miku had been alone, teased and picked on. She rarely drew her mind back to times without Luka, with the except of Len. He'd saved her from everyone, from herself. She'd believed so heavily in fairytales from the stories her mother had read to her. She hadn't come from the wealthiest family but they'd been fair off enough. She'd wanted a prince with frayed edges they could work on together, and she'd gotten her wish when she'd met Len. Len with his complexities had impacted her and changed everything there was to learn about Miku Hatsune; she loved him.

"Hey?" The sudden noise stunned Miku for a second. Len was staring at her as he pulled on his shirt. Other than that, he was fully dressed. Her head snapped up. Had he changed in front of her and she'd missed it? His eyes examined her.

"Well, you seem fine. And here I was bothering to worry if you were alright or not."

"You were worried about me?" Len scratched his head, he had a puzzled look on his face. In the end he shrugged. "I'm more concerned about you, Len."

"Don't be, I've had worse."

"Is that supposed to be reassuring?" Len smirked and she was weak.

"It was an attempt."

Miku smiled and shook her head. Her nerves forgotten

"How do you feel?" She asked.

"Seriously?" Len said, arching an eyebrow. "I'm great Miku. Nothing like uncomfortably stiff joints and aching muscles." He shot her a thumbs up with the utmost sarcasm. Miku hung her head.

"Sorry, dumb question." Len rolled his eyes and Miku glanced around the room. Her eyes wandered to an empty plate of cookies she'd previously left on Len's bedside table.

"You ate them?" She smiled.

"Ate what?"

"The cookies."

He nodded. "Well, how were they?"

"Mediocre. Not the best or the worst I've had."

"Well, you didn't have to eat them if you hated them so much." He froze at her tone. For a moment Len was perplexed as to why Miku was so suddenly angry. Girl had too many mood swings for her own good.

"I never said I hated them. They were at least enjoyable, since I haven't had homemade cookies in a while."

"At least," she scoffed before she turned away.

"Why? Did you make them?" Miku turned around so quickly Len stepped back. Her entire face was scarlet.

"I would never cook anything for you!" He would've believed her but her expression gave her away. He let the subject drop and headed for the door.

"Say, where's Rin? I gotta check on her."

Before Len was able to reach for the door handle, his shirt was tugged from behind. Glancing back, Miku was holding on.

"Rin is sleeping still. She doesn't wanna be disturbed," Miku said.

"Really?" Len stopped for a moment processing the thought. He fixed his gaze on Miku. She stared right back at him and finally she let go of his shirt. "I'm sure she'll make an exception for me. Besides, I wanna know her condition. She was running a fever."

Len reached for the doorknob again.

"Len!"

Once again he turned to look at Miku. "She's fine. The doctor said she didn't have a fever and was completely fine."

"That's odd because she was—"

"Right now, you need to focus on yourself and your problems. You're the one who was injured, not her. Luka's watching over her so I doubt you'll be let into the girls room."

Len was puzzled by the doctor's results. Rin had been boiling hot when he'd carried her earlier. So then why had Miku said she was completely fine? None of it made sense. It was impossible for someone to get so hot and not have a fever or an illness of some sort. Discomfort slid over his skin like a snake. His unflinching eyes settled on Miku. There was something he wasn't being told. Something hidden he couldn't seek out in Miku's eyes.

"Miku, I should still—"

"If you wanna help her get some rest and take care of yourself. She was deathly worried and it's what she wanted." Subconsciously, A smile tugged across his face at the thought of Rin being worried about him. He caught himself mid-smile and shook his head.

"Miku, I think I should see her." However, he wasn't so sure anymore.

"Trust me, Len. I wouldn't lie to you. Not about Rin." Len stood straighter, but he couldn't pin down Miku's game, yet didn't sense any deception. He choose to trust her. Lying about Rin's condition served no purpose. So he sighed.

"You'll see her in the morning," Miku offered.

"True," Len said.

"Right?" Miku's hand enveloped his as she led him back to his bed. "So rest, okay?"

He watched Miku for a long time before he relented and climbed into bed. Miku leaned in to fix his pillows so it was more comfortable, but she frowned when Len gazed out the window instead of checking her out. It was several minutes before she leaned away and only then did Len seem to remember she was in the room.

"Aren't you gonna go?" Len asked. He heavily implied they no longer had any business. She blushed slightly and came to sit next to him.

"Um, actually I'm supposed to stay here with you tonight." Len groaned.

"What?" he started, "Who decided—"

"Mikuo and Kaito are sleeping on the couch tonight, Luka's orders. I have to watch over you..."

"When was this established?"

"When you were sleeping. I'm sure you're still a little sleepy." Len gazed at the ceiling.

"To some degree, but you're sleeping where exactly?" Miku avoided his gaze.

"Here, if it's not a bother."

"Sure..." Len's voice faded as he considered the issue. "I'm sure Mikuo wouldn't mind if you used his bed." Miku glanced at him as if she was going to say something more for a second time, but she reconsidered and her mouth became a thin line.

"Thanks," she said, getting into the bed right of Len's.

Len rolled over and closed his eyes. The room was peaceful until Miku began to shuffle and kick at her bed sheets. She began to thrash around but Len shut his eyes tighter. He groaned mentally when she swore softly under her breath, and he gritted his teeth. The bed next to him creaked under pressure, and Len slowly opened his eyes. He swore he would not roll over and yell at Miku, so he forced his eyes closed again. She kept moving, and he was on the very of snapping when she settled. After a few minutes he swore he heard her doze off. Silence seeped in-between them and soon enough Len was asleep again.

Miku hadn't had this dream in a while. Recently though, it constantly plagued her thoughts. It was a memory she cherished more than anything. Back then lots of boys had been constantly teasing her. Persistently tormenting her, making everyday harder than the last. She'd learned to try and ignore it. Attempted her best to block them out, until one day they'd taken it too far.

"Hey Miku, Miku, why don't you ever say anything to us?" One orange haired boy called, another joined in.

"Yeah? Why don't you say something already, freak." The thin bar connecting the chair and the desk kept her chair from falling over from the boy's kick.

"What's wrong with your hair?" A grey haired boy asked. He began playing with one of her pigtails and even then she concentrated hard to ignore them. She trained her eyes on reading a book her mother had given her. Another picture book about princes and princesses. The last memento she'd received from her mom before she'd passed away from illness.

"Haha, what garbage are you bringing to school now?" A green haired boy asked, he yanked the book out from under her and she reacted.

"Hey, give it back, okay," she pleaded. "I haven't done anything to you guys so leave me alone."

"Aww? Are you gonna cry?" A black haired boy mocked, he shoved her into another boy who held her back. Miku cast a glance at some of the girls in her class, but they avoided her gaze: a few ducked out of the class. Cowards, she'd thought and cursed them to oblivion.

"Look at this junk!" The green haired boy yelled to the others. The green haired boy crudely stretched the spine of the book to show the others, except the boy holding her.

"What is this?" One chuckled crumpling one of the pages as he held it.

"Haha, right? She's still pathetically reading picture books at this age." One tugged the book open further.

"And about princes and crap? Who actually believes any of that?"

"St...stop!" Miku had screamed, sick of watching them handle her book so roughly: of the bullying.

"Shut up already, Miku, nobody wants to hear you."

She elbowed the boy holding her and was released to rush for her book. The boy with grey hair took the book and deliberately ripped it down the middle. The boys around him gasped. Miku fell to her knees. They'd only ripped it once, but in her mind, the scene replayed over and over again.

"Oops," the boy snorted, the others behind him snickered. "Wasn't my fault Miku." A series of comments followed with the other boys agreeing how it was her fault. "You're the one who shouted and rushed over here. I was startled." The grey haired boy stated innocently.

"Exactly, you only have yourself to blame Miku." The green haired boy smirked. "You can have it back now."

He snatched the book from the grey haired boy and tossed the book at her. The pages took flight. Every last one floating down to the floor around her. The boy with orange hair gestured to it.

"Look. At least it became pretty confetti." The boys snickered. "Wanna play soccer guys?" he asked afterwards and soon the boys were gone. The girls silently followed them out of the classroom. Each of them glanced at Miku but none stopped to help.

Only when she was alone did Miku allowed tears to flow down her cheeks. Each tear slid and slipped down her face to land on the same page. She wiped at them and picked each page up considerately. Time passed like cold molasses. She loathed the guys in her class. Yet, faith blossomed like an orange in her chest. One day, if she was lucky enough – like her mother had said – she'd meet her prince. He wouldn't be perfect, but he'd be hers and that's what she needed.

"Hey? You okay?" A disarming voice asked Miku.

She looked up to meet eyes with a rebellious looking boy with blonde hair. His uniform was unruly and improper: another delinquent. Though this one looked the part instead of the other kempt, condescending boys. She immediately chose to ignore him too. Boys had already caused her enough trauma and grief for the day. Though she remained cleaning up the papers before he stepped on any, he remained tacitly in front of her. She jumped when her hands scraped his. The blonde was next to her neatly assisting her. Her mom had always said to be polite, even to her enemies.

"Thanks," she grumbled, not happy in the slightest to be saying so.

"Well, I don't have anything else to do. Walking by you seems absurd. You're cute though, so it's not so bad." The comment had caught Miku off guard. She'd been called a lot of names but never cute. Her cheeks heated. She watched his hands as he assembled his pages in the correct order. That's when her tears came.

"Even if we do pick it up, it's still broken." Miku didn't want to cry in front of the stranger but tears rolled down her cheeks regardless. He sighed irritably.

"Aw geez, don't start crying. What will that solve?"

"But—"

"Gimme," he'd said, holding his hand out to her. Miku hesitated for a second but finally handed over the rest of the book. Feeling she could trust him. He stood up and in no time he had a stapler and tape. She watched his makeshift work at fixing the book.

"Here," The boy offered when he was done, Miku took the book. "It's not brand new, but I think it'll hold if you'd still like to read it. Seems like your favorite book." Shyly Miku nodded. He'd stood up and helped her up as well. His hands had been soft and warm in a much different way than hers. The tears didn't stop. Never before had she experienced such kindness. His steady hand patted her head.

"You cry a lot. How annoying," he said jokingly. Miku rubbed at her tears.

"Sorry, I'm not usually like this." The stranger sighed loudly.

"Girls like you are hopeless. What are you gonna do when you get older, huh? What if you're in a fight? Why not get stronger instead of crying? That way you can defend yourself and you won't have to cry." Miku noticed him staring at her through his fringe.

"Do we have a deal?"

Miku nodded and he smiled a smile that made her stomach flutter and instantly she was rather nervous. He turned and started walking away. Waving his goodbye as he walked. His bag thrown over his shoulder. It was the last of him she saw that school day and she'd forgotten to get his name. On the walk home the same group of boys persistently followed her. Finally deciding to block her path when she didn't respond to them. Again she was shoved into another boy who this time held her hands behind her.

"Stop!" Miku yelled and this time she stepped on the boy's foot and shoved him to the ground, protecting herself. The situation escalated and she was pinned unable to hold her own against 6 boys. They tugged at her hair and kicked at her legs: and she'd taken it. She'd screamed and shrieked, but they had not let up. She'd been so afraid, and alone. Nobody would protect her. The girls in her class silently looked the other way like cowards. Not wanting to get involved, not wanting to be the boys next target. The boy with the grey hair had delivered a sharp slap to her cheek and Miku had slumped to the ground. But she had not cried.

"What's wrong with you? Aren't you gonna cry for us?" Miku bit her lip and breathed in.

"No," she'd firmly said.

"Really now?" Boys behind him grabbed her bag and started going through it. They cut it up with some scissors from the grey haired boy's knapsack and broken everything else. Miku had watched the destruction, but had not shed a single tear.

"How about now?" he'd asked. Miku stared ahead of her defiantely.

"If I keep holding on someday my prince will—"

"Nobody like that exists!" The grey haired boy had shouted.

"I found something nice," An orange haired boy called behind him. He held up the same story book Miku had gotten fixed earlier. The boy with the grey hair shot a snarky smile.

"You bothered to fix that crap?" he asked, then smiled slyly. "Rip it up again, this time to shreds." Her split second of weakness had been what it took for him to assure this was the trigger. That second of fear, of weakness she'd shown in her eyes.

Again Miku was forced to watch as they ripped the book again. Tearing out the pages, shredding the pictures in halves. Shredding her memories, her memento of her mother. And it had finally dawned on her.

Nobody like a prince exists in this universe. The world wasn't so nice as to allow her such a luxury. It had taken her mother, it had broken her father, and now she. The world was loaded with bitterness. A cold, uninviting, glacial bitterness that attacked everyone. But was especially cruel to her. Yet, if even one miracle would happen to her...wouldn't it be nice?

The boy holding her hoisted her up and when the grey haired boy still saw no tears, he grew enraged. Her eyes had been so blank then, but she'd seen the punch coming. She'd closed her eyes waiting for the pain; but she received none. The cry of pain reached her first..

"Oi, oi,...can't I enjoy a walk home in peace?" She'd known that voice and upon opening her eyes it had been the boy with the unkempt uniform and blonde hair. He was forcefully bending the grey haired boy's hand backward. Not enough to break it, but almost if he dared move. Miku saw him glare harshly and watched him bend the boy's hand back a bit more. The grey haired boy screamed.

"Honestly, it's cowardly for a bunch of boys to face one girl. She can't even defend herself, don't you think that's cowardly?" The blonde haired boy hadn't raised his voice, but his tone was a thousand times deadlier than any words that could've been yelled.

He looked to his left and on the ground saw the book only earlier he'd fixed.

"You gotta be kidding me. I took the time to fix that," The blonde complained.

He bent the boy's hand back a little more and he fell to his knees. The blonde haired boy released his hand and hoisted him up by the arm. In one swift move he twisted the grey haired boy's arms behind his back and kicked him towards the rest of the boys forcefully. They fell like bowling pins. Miku found herself thinking of falling dominos. The blonde glanced back over his shoulder.

"Oi, guy there holding the girl," he started. Miku felt the boy flinch. "I'll give you a chance to peacefully walk away without any bruises or broken bones." In a flash the boy holding Miku was gone. He took off down the road, abandoning his accomplices to their fates.

"Now," The blonde turned back to the rest of the boys.

"Um!" Miku called. "What's your name?" He glanced back at her and smiled.

"Name's Len, Kagamine Len," Miku found herself blushing at the name. "I'd ask yours but I have some problems to deal with. Oh, close your eyes," he ordered and Miku did. The scuffs of violence rang out in the undersized neighborhood, but despite her curiosity, Miku kept her eyes closed. She didn't open them again until she his voice reached her.

"It's alright now," Len smiled, Miku found herself blushing again but he was oblivious to it. "How badly are you hurt?"

"I'll be fine," he laughed at her statement.

"Sounding tougher already. I'm proud of ya, crybaby. However, you're not going home like that. I'm sure your parents would freak out."

"No, my mother passed away and my dad—" Len held a hand up to her.

"I don't wanna hear your circumstances if you don't like to think about it." Immediately Miku looked away, wondering how he'd read her so easily. Len picked up her items and carried them in his hands.

"So, off we go then."

"What?" Miku asked, startled. The groans of the boys who'd tormented her was like a chorus from the dammed. Len kicked the nearest one on the ground.

"Follow me."

He'd taken her to his house and his parents had helped fix her up, as if they were pros in taking care of such injuries. She'd eaten dinner with them and been given a new bag even nicer than her last. His parents had kindly dropped her back off at home and explained what had happened to her father. Everyday after she tailed behind Len. Hanging out with him, laughing with him, and getting taught by him. His family was quirky, but she found herself falling in love with them. They had a playful atmosphere. They'd been a family she'd dreamed of countless times since her mother's passing.

Len's older brother Rinto was handsome, but Miku preferred Len over him. Rinto had enjoyed making jokes and teasing Len before he locked him in a headlock, tackled him or wrestled him. His older sister Lenka was gorgeous but, she too was a delinquent. She looked like an angel but was vulgar and tomboyish. Miku had quickly become to think of Lenka as her real sister. Often the two poured over homework because Len had already finished his; he didn't study either. She reveled in the chaotic family of parents who were supportive, but often heckled their children for being rowdy. His father often apologized for scuffs, while his mother enforced rules and controlled most of the household. They were a family Miku so badly wanted to be apart of. When her and Len had gone their separate ways for a while she'd detested every second of it. When she'd met Len again their relationship had suffered irreparable damage. They weren't as close as before and she'd rocked on her heels at the distance. As if he'd locked his heart away, so she hadn't approached. Miku loved him, still had been loving him for so long. A one light in a world full of darkness.

"I wonder how long you can keep up that act for?" Teto's voice invaded Miku's mind. She awoke feeling helpless. She stared up at the ceiling and the world around her fell away. It shrunk into one little ball as her mind settled on Rin. Rin who looked innocent enough, but that didn't change the fact Miku's chest exploded with pain. She fought to suppress her jealousy, but it sapped her energy, leaving her empty and bare. Stripped of what had rightfully been hers. Teto was present too, stalking, her voice ghostly. Miku was asleep again.

"Look at this gap? Isn't it wide? Do you think you compare?" Teto asked.

"I do!" Miku screamed in her mind. Teto laughed bitterly, as if removing a bad taste from her mouth.

"No, you don't, Miku. I feel your pain...I know your pain. You and I, we share a similar goal."

"No, I—"

"Then are you're still friends with Rin? Who's stealing your everything, who's taken my everything? Who will soon possess your everything if you don't stop her?" Teto smiled sickly. "I guess you're a masochist like that."

"No...I..."

"At first I was thinking, I could get rid of her but, that's foolish. It's not nearly enough for me or you. For our suffering."

"I don't wanna hurt anyone Teto."

"Well, aren't you pathetic then? Isn't it painful?" Miku bit her lip, but the pain wormed in and singed her. A smile eased onto Rin's face.

"See?" Teto said. "She's mocking us."

"Stop Teto." But Miku multiplied. She screamed as hundreds of copies of herself surrounded her in a ring. They shouted derogatory terms.

"All Rin does is take and take some more," Teto argued

"She doesn't!"

"She does!" Teto screamed. Her voice echoed. "After she takes your world too do you think she'll even look at you? She'll mock you by hurting Len and then throwing him away afterwards. Is that what you want?" Teto asked.

"No," Miku admitted weakly.

"Such anger, hatred, sadness, jealousy, selfishness and desires alike," Teto started. "Wield them as weapons."

"Before you said it was sickening didn't you?" Miku asked, weakly she started to stand.

"I did," Teto admitted. "Because there are vengeful ways to use such feelings. Like bringing down the cause of them. It's useless to kill them though." Teto's voice faded and came back stronger. "No, you crush that person. If you can't crush everything they hold dear, take it from them. And then crush it once it's yours. You take more and more until they have nothing left and they beg for death from your hands. If they can't be killed, you crush them and take what's rightfully yours. Understand Miku?" Teto asked.

Miku stood straight and tall and walked right over to Rin. Rin crumbled in front of her. A smile crossed her face and Miku woke staring at the ceiling. She slipped out of bed and poked Len. He woke slowly and his voice was slightly raspy.

"Miku? Is there something wrong?" Len asked, Miku gazed down at him. The gleam in her eyes was hidden by the moonlight.

"Len . . .earlier I didn't say it, but I want to share this bed with you." Len attempted to straighten but his body protested. He let out a silent swear. Miku was excited by his sudden jolt and ignored his pain; she'd finally gotten through to him.

"Miku," Len said, but she didn't wait for his answer and crawled on top of him. He leaned away instead of immediately pushing her as he recalled the state of his arms. Her gaze was intense as if wanting to permanently drill her existence into him. Len looked away. His eyes desperately searched for a way out.

"Miku, that's—Stop," Len said. Miku's face became a blank mask.

She hesitated before she said in a soft voice. "Am I not good enough for you?" The words caught Len off guard and he found his eyes were locked on Miku's. He could no longer look away.

"Is that what this is about?" Len said incredulously.

"Rin's in here often..." Miku allowed her voice to trail with implication. Len's temperature rose significantly.

"We're not doing anything like that," Len choked. Yet his face was so flustered Miku looked back at him skeptically.

"Every night she's in here. I assumed . . ."

"No! Lord no!" Len hollered. "She feels uneasy sleeping by herself,"

"She does or you do?"

"What do I have to be afraid of?"

"I'm fragile too, Len..." Miku whined. This close he witnessed the enthralling dilation of her pupils.

"Miku, what on earth are you talking about?"

"Why is she so close to you?"

"We're childhood friends," Len lied.

"So are we."

"Enough of this, Miku. Go to bed," Len gritted attempting to end the conversation. He rolled over but Miku was quicker and pinned him. He could've easily overpowered her but his mind skewed at the idea of purposely pinning her beneath him.

"You're not avoiding my questions," she commanded. "Do you love her?" He tried being silent but Miku did not let up. She was waiting for his answer. He attempted neutrality.

"I care for her." She leaned harder into him.

"That's not a yes or a no, Len."

He averted his face and said quickly. "I care for her, but it's not love. . ." When he looked at Miku again she was grinning like a mad woman.

"Did I say something amusing?" Len asked, Miku's smile faded.

"No, I couldn't hear you. Could you say that again?" Len sighed but he saw his out.

"I said, it's not love but I care about her." Again Miku's smile came back and before Len could process anything else Miku had his hand in hers. She placed it on her waist and slowly started moving it in motions. He tried to close his mind to the sensation of up and down.

"M-Miku?" Len gasped.

"How many questions are you gonna ask?"

His thoughts slipped away from him like mist when she bent down and blew warm breath past his neck. Len shivered.

"What part of sharing a bed don't you get?"

Len swallowed hard and breathed deeply before he tried to speak again. Miku was still moving his hands over her waist and it was incredibly hard to focus.

"I-I" Despite his preparations Len still stuttered. "I don't think that's—"

"Ah, no more questions, Len. I won't answer anymore." Miku placed one finger over Len's lips to silence him and despite his willpower he gave into Miku's command.