I do not own Vampire Knight, so I disclaim.

Chapter 13

Rima.

"Who was that?" Was the first thing I heard from Ichiru and Ruka. Cousins, really.

"Eh? Ruka? Since when were you back?" I asked while placing the box that the guy-with-an-imaginary-friend handed me.

"Just a while ago." She gave two bags to Ichiru and ordered him to put them in the den, which he did, slumping. "So, who was that and what is this?" She asked again.

I shrugged. "Cake, I think." I carefully opened the box.

"Okay. It's a cake. Who gave you that though? I've never seen that guy before."

"He's the owner of the modelling company I'm working at or someone..."

"And? He's what, courting you or something?" She pried.

"Looks like it."

"You're not sure?"

"We're engaged. So this is just a minor gesture, it's not that big of a deal." I said, and closed the box.

"GAAAAH?" Now, it's the two of them.

"I understand that shock look on your face, Ichiru... But, yours, Ruka is quite exaggerated."

She shrugged. "I can't help it. This happened so fast."

"D-does Aunt and Uncle know?" Ichiru stuttered.

"Yeah. This was an arranged marriage. No biggie."

"And you're okay with it?" Ichiru asked.

"Of course. There's no point in declining anyway. I'll get married whenever the right time comes. This was how fate decided it, so be it." I put the box inside the fridge and smiled. "It's shortcake. What time should we leave?"

They looked at each other and nodded. "Should we wait for your parents?" They looked at me.

"Nah. The three of us should be there earlier."

Ruka.

We laid our comforters on the soft grass. Ichiru built the anti-insects net around the perimeter. Rima was gathering sticks for the bonfire, while I set up the food.

I opened the box of cake, put it on platter and stuck 34 candles on it. And just before I could go out the gate from our house a while ago, Nana packed most of the pasta for us. She knows the ritual that we do in this time of the year.

I got out the jug of juice from the basket and put it in the middle of the table.

"Is this enough?" Rima asked, handing me a bouquet of dandelions.

"The dandelions or the food?"

She shrugged. "Both?"

"I think the food is enough, if your parents are also coming over, I don't think it would be."

"I'll text mum to bring more from the fridge."

"That would be nice. Also, I think the dandelions are enough, do we a vase or something to put those in?"

"We won't need them, the breeze is near."

"Oh, yeah, you're right."

"Hey! Hey!C'mon now, you hear the water?" Ichiru yelled from his area.

"Yeah, yeah" Rima distributed the daffodils to me and to Ichiru. We ran towards the wall nearest the deepest part of the dam.

We took off our slippers and walked steadily into the somewhat shallow water before the deep. We stood side by side. Rima on the middle, while I, on her right and Ichiru on her left. We closed our eyes and chanted:

"O tan jobi o medeto
O tan jobi o medeto
O tan jobi o medeto
O tan jobi o medeto

As the little daffodils danced around the air, with those are our wishes...

Ko toshi wah ii toshi mi nadu
Koh toshi wah sugoi
Ko toshi wah ii toshi mi nadu
nazeh kato utoh nazeh ka
nazeh kato utoh nazeh ka
tomodachi da

hopes and dreams...

O tan jobi o medeto
O tan jobi o medeto
O tan jobi o medeto
O tan jobi o medeto"

for the once dynamic twins...

We sang it together, like we always do ever since that time and day...

..when Ren, one of the youngest gangsters in MD,

...Rima's twin-brother,

...Ichiru's best bud,

...my first kiss,

Was summoned on a fight with another boy of 2 years older...

Was unfairly stabbed to death, because of a closed fight ...

Was thrown and drowned here into the water with panic, by the assailant...

Was found dead after two hours by a worker on the reservoir...

Was the reason Rima would love to kill her date of birth,

The reason she was strength herself,

The reason she craved for revenge,

And the reason why we are crying right at this moment.

He was a good friend, a good brother and a good son. Why must the good die young?

Why must Ren be so good to die in suffering?

Why did he have to leave us so early?

"Ren..." I was the first to talk. "Do you still remember our pinky promise? You know, the one after you accidentally kissed me... Well, you promised that I am your first and will be your last kiss, and that I should promise the same, you know what? I think I probably can...

Ren, I'm doing great in my combats, did you see them? Also, I've improved on motor-crossing, but Rima's still better than me, though...

Ren, this summer, Dad is planning on having a vacation across Europe, but Ichiru's not coming with us... ask him why... and please watch over Rima while I'm gone, okay? I miss you, Ren. Happy Birthday..."

Rima.

Ruka smiled after greeting and looked at Ichiru, who was staring up at the sky, and was obviously tearing up...

"Dude, I met a hot chick named Shizuka, a doctor, a lot older than me. Once you've met her, I'm sure you'll regret leaving us this early...

Also, I really think I'm a lot better-looking than you, there's this kid, Shizuka's sister, who's dead serious in being obsessed with me... Anyway, can you tell God to give her a life, 'cause she's irritating as hell, no offense though.

And Bro, Happy Birthday. This may sound gay, but I miss you and our laughs..." He bent his head down. "Life's not the same without you..."

After a little moment of silence.

"I guess it's my turn then..."

They both nodded at me in encouragement.

"Hey." I stared at the water. "I miss you. You know how much... When you left, you took away my better half... But, I still try to live for you, for mum, for dad... like what you always want me to...

Remember the times how we laugh about death and dying, the consequences we face and accept as kkangpaes... I never thought how serious those words that you told me... until you left... Ren, I know you saw how broken I was, but I tried to fix myself... for mum and dad. I'm getting married, I don't know when, how or to whom, but I will get married... how I wish you could meet him and tell me funny jokes on how stupid he does things for me...

Ren, I am striving to become a better kkangpae than you...

And... Ren, I'm sorry..." I cried.

"I'm sorry for not being with you that night. I'm sorry if I was too excited on readying for the party and didn't notice you left for a private battle... I'm sorry if up until now I can't find the culprit..." I bent my head and sobbed. "I-I'm sorry, Ren.. I really, truly am sorry... I love you, Ren... Happy Birthday...

...to us."

END. (of chapter)

A/N: So, whaddya think? Gimme reviews.

Sincerely, DrScribblesDoodleyy xx