Ok first off, just to clear this up for later chapters; anything that I put in italics is when Rin and Len are speaking through telepathy. Also I have skipped ahead 2 years so now Akane and Len are now both 16 years old.

Akane's POV

~She and Len are now both 16~

I walked down a small dirt path, heading away from my house. I had only seen my brother (Kaito) six times in the past two years. I told him that I was now training every day with Len. Currently, Kaito was away delivering messages.

'Len is probably already warming up' I thought. I pick up my pace and jog down into the valley where Len and I spar for training. Sure enough, Len was already swinging his sword around methodically. I carefully snuck up on him and at the last second I whipped out my daggers and blocked the attack as he spun around with a downward slashing motion to finish his rhythmic sword dance. He leapt back, grinning in an attempt to hide his surprise. I snickered quietly and lunged, going in for another attack saying, "Good morning Len."

"Your late," he grumbled.

The two of us commence training, both exchanging teasing remarks here and there and occasionally giving out bits of advice about stance, the effectiveness of a type of swing when in a certain position, etc. This went on for three hours with short 15 minute breaks in between each hour.

Finally, we both flopped down on the grass, panting and sweaty. Eventually I sat up and crawled over to Len. I picked up his bleeding hand. He had been clumsy, so as I was about to hit him with the flat of my blade, he tried to dodge but was too slow and it resulted in him receiving a cut. It wasn't too deep but never the less, I grabbed a water canister and cleaned the wound then pulled off one of my long stockings and used it as a bandage.

"Are you alright? This is the best I can do right now so we should head back to your place so we can apply disinfectant to it." I ask worriedly.

"Thanks Akane-san. I'm fine" he replied flexing his injured hand. My eyebrow twitched in annoyance.

"I can't believe you still call me 'Akane-san' even after it has been two years!" I huffed. I had been bugging him to call me 'Akane-chan' for a while but he insisted that I deserved respect which made me roll my eyes every time he mentioned it.

In truth, Len was my only friend, and yet, I couldn't ask for anyone better. We had both learned a lot about each other these past few years and I knew he didn't hang out with anyone else.

One time, I remember heading to town to deliver goods with him and I was pretty much attacked by a huge group of fan-girls…. At the time I was a little shocked but afterwards I teased a red-faced Len about it.

As time went on, I grew to like Len more and more and eventually I thought 'I...I'm in love with him.' I didn't tell Len, but I didn't deny the feeling either. I know that being in love is not something that I can prevent and it isn't something I can force. So once I was in love, well, there was really nothing I could do except let the feeling keep growing.

I looked at Len waiting for him to answer. A small smile played across his lips and I looked at him curiously. I closed my eyes with a sigh. Suddenly I felt my back pressed against the grass and a shadow looming over my head. I felt his hands on either side of my head and I my eyes snapped open; my gaze was met by those beautiful blue liquid crystals that I thought I might drown in if I wasn't careful. And drown I did. His soft lips pressed against my own and my eyes widened as his closed. He broke the kiss just long enough to murmur in a sensual tone, "I think I love you Akane...chan." My eyes widened further and then closed slowly as I sank into another kiss. My chest exploded with happiness and I gave a small smile. His tongue brushed my bottom lip pleading for entrance. I parted my lips, melting into the kiss as he slowly explored every millimeter of my mouth. Our tongues waltzed to a slow sensual song playing inside my soul. Eventually we pulled away from each other, panting slightly.

Then I smiled and whispered "I know I love you Len." Hearing this, he kissed me again, more passionately than before and I could feel him smiling brightly. It didn't last as long but I enjoyed it anyway. How could I not enjoy it; this is what I had been longing for, for a while. We both sat up and he pulled my into his lap, wrapped his strong arms around me and kissed the top of my head. 'He smells nice' I thought, resting my head against his well-toned chest. For once, I felt safe; completely and utterly safe.

After a while, he sighed and said "We should head back for lunch or mother will worry." He slid me off his lap and helped me up. On the way home, he continued to hold my hand, which made me smile.

Once we arrived, he let go and walked in with me close behind. I assisted Haruka-san with lunch and talked joyfully about various things. Haruka-san noticed my, and Len's change in attitude and also noticed how Len addressed me as 'Akane-chan' now.

After dinner as Haruka and I washed dishes as Len showered, she implored seriously, "So, what happened?" I blushed deeply and tried to focus on the plate I was drying.

"I'm afraid I don't know what you are talking about" I replied, smiling nervously.

She raised an eyebrow and responded "You don't have to hide it. You've been acting incredibly happy and suddenly Len-kun comes home calling you 'Akane-chan'."

I blush harder and confess "I'm sorry. I didn't see it coming and if you don't approve, then we can pretend it never happened."

To my great surprise, Haruka-san laughed "What makes you think I wouldn't approve? If there is any girl that I would approve of then it would be you!" I looked up and couldn't prevent a smile from widening on my lips. She pulled me into a hug and gushed "Take care of my Len." I smiled harder (if possible) and nodded. "So, did he actually say he loves you or did you two just sit there snogging?" She grinned sheepishly and I turned away, covering my ferociously blushing face with my hands.

I made fake tears and whined "Haruka-saaaan..." She laughed as Len walked down in clean trousers with a towel around his bare shoulders exposing his nicely developed abs. That didn't help my blushing... He raised his eyebrows and chuckled "Mom, don't tease her." My eyes widen as I thought, 'How did he know I was being teased? Don't tell me he was listening to our conversation!' I sighed...

(Authors note: I apologize for the random time skips...but they are necessary so please bear with me.)

For the next two weeks, Len and I continued training all the while becoming closer and closer exchanging kisses on a regular basis. Each kiss was passionate and with true meaning; to me, it wasn't just puppy love.

Eventually Len started pulling me into his lap right in front of his mother, which embarrassed me at first but after a while I got used to it and I was content.

Len's mother gossiped happily with people at the market about her son and me, his wonderful new girlfriend. Eventually word got around to his fan-girls and... well, the next time Len and I went to the market I was mobbed by his fuming fans. Len had picked me up, bridal style, and sprinted back home.

I laughed hysterically afterwards and he ended up forbidding me from ever go to market with him again because he feared I'd be killed. Of course, I took it as a joke and laughed harder.

Queen Luka's POV

A servant from the dragon King's caverns had been sent to me. His message said that the current diva was very close to being ready to perform for the dragon and that a new girl should be selected and trained so that she would be ready to step up when the current diva collapsed. I thought for a while. Meiko would be a good choice. She would go willingly to make up for her past, but then again, Meiko was an essential part of my personal guard and plus, she was growing and the dragon king wishes for young girls. Meiko is already 22... However I do believe that my messenger Kaito has a younger sister and she would do just fine.

"Bring in Sir Kaito." I ordered the servant. He bowed and went out to retrieve Kaito.

Kaito's POV

I knelt before Queen Luka and asked "Luka-sama, you wished to ask a favor of me?"

She nodded thoughtfully and replied, "Yes. I want a personal maid and I believe that your younger sister is well suited for it. Tell me; is she good at singing and dancing? It would be much to my pleasure if she is." She explained to me that we would probably live within castle grounds and would be rewarded a rich life.

I looked up rather curiously and said, "Yes, she is. She enjoys singing and dancing very much. When would you like me to retrieve her, my Lady?

She did indeed seem pleased and continued on to say, "On horseback, it will be a two days journey home. Stay at your home for one day and rise the next morning to depart. At that rate, you should arrive back in five days." she dismissed me as I thought, 'I haven't seen Akane-chan in a while but I know she has a friend that lives not far from our home. I don't think that she will be pleased to hear this...'

~Two days later~

Two days later, my house was in sight. Night had long since fallen and Akane would probably already be asleep. When I arrived, I put my horse in the stable next to the pony I had been given that Akane would ride. I didn't bother going to wake my sister. She could see me in the morning; then I would tell her Luka-sama's orders.

Akane's POV

I awoke the next morning and got ready to head down to the training area. When I went down to prepare breakfast, I saw my brother standing there with an already made breakfast. He smiled and said "Hey, Akane-chan, I'm back."

I grinned happily and ran around the table to hug him saying, "Welcome home Onii-san!" He sat me down at the table and explained that he had some important news.

He murmured, "You're not going to like this but please hear me out." my brows creased with worry as he continued, "Queen Luka wishes for you to become her personal maid. She requested you especially because she has been informed that you love to sing and dance. We will live at the castle and be able to see each other much more often! We will be rewarded greatly with riches and a beautiful life style! We will be leaving tomorrow at dawn." he finished, looking excited.

I sat there frozen. Thoughts spun around in my mind, 'Why would she want me to be her personal maid? Why now? Why must we leave so soon? What about my life here? What if I don't want to? I practically already have a family right here. How am I going to tell Len? I can't defy the Queens orders!' As all of this ran through my mind, I stood up stiffly and mumbled, "Please excuse me for a while." I hurried out of the house, snatching up my daggers on the way out.

Training with Len did not go well. He stopped in the middle of it and sat down, patting the spot next to him. "Sit down and tell me what the matter is. You're not acting yourself." he said.

I sat and he wrapped his strong arms around my, resting his chin on the top of my head.

It was then that I realized just how much I would miss him. I fought back against the tears that threatened to spill over and was glad that Len couldn't see my flushed face. I gulped and wondered how he would react to the news. Then I whispered, "Actually, I have something to tell you..."