A/N: And here it is! As promised! Gosh, even I'm excited! Although, I am a bit sad. All the my other chapters had like 300 or 400 something views. But then the last one only got like, 60 something... I'm a bit dissapointed... then again, it's my fault for it taking too long to update. But now I'm on a roll! BRING IT!
I DON'T OWN VOCALOID. JUST THIS CRAZY PLOT.
Len hooked his left thumb in his pocket, fingers tapping in rhythm as he held up a telephone right to his ear, listening and waiting in patience as it rung. He eyed the cord in boredom, following every swirl and slowly inching towards the dial pad. He sighed, his foot tapping along with his fingers, his patience quickly running out. He had gone out casual this morning, with a dark green loose tank and shorts and sporting a pair of sturdy sandals, the weather seeming a bit too hot for his liking.
South Crypton is a total contrast to the rest of the country. The weather hot and bordering to scorching whilst the higher parts of Crypton is mild and cool. And Len never really like heat. And now, as a trickle of sweat went down to his cheek, Len wanted to go back to his air conditioned room he had rent for the day.
Clicking his tongue, Len was about to give up on his call after waiting for three minutes when a voice suddenly – and finally – answered him.
"Hello?"
Len sighed, relief washing through him. "Gumi. It's me, Len."
In her room, Gumi blinked, in the middle of packing her things and continuing her search when a maid suddenly came in to her room, saying about someone calling and asking for her down on the main phone downstairs. She had asked for her to send it to her line, with the maid nodding in approval. Soon, the phone in her room had been ringing for minutes now. Only, she had ignored the ringing of the phone in favor of fixing her twin guns.
She sighed, now regretful for having Len wait. He's patient, but it always runs out when it comes to her.
"How did you know where I was?" Gumi asked.
Len rested his weighted on his right foot. "I sent a letter to Dell three days ago. I just got his reply on where you are now." Len waved an opened envelope in his other free hand, even though his green-haired friend couldn't see it.
He left the part that he had asked Dell to track her. One of their pins' ability when something happens or, as an emergency. Then again, she probably know that he had asked.
He heard Gumi sighed. "Alright. And what do you want? I was about to head out." She whined.
"I wasn't planning to stay long. I'm paying for this call." Len rolled his eyes, he could just see her pouting and cocking her hips to the side.
"Ok, so what?" Gumi grumbled.
Len ignored the tone in her voice, chewing on his bottom lip, a scowl making its way on his face.
"Gumi, how is everyone?" he asked, unable to hide the bad feeling he had. Fuji was on the very tip of Crypton, and the civilization is quite under-developed. The technology yet to reach and adapt here from the capital. And news get here late. Sometimes reaching five days or a week for any important news to get here.
"Well, I'm fine. No activities so far… Miku sent a letter two days ago saying she'll have to go to the next village when the witch moved to the next. Mikuo's close to Miku, and she said he's fine. There's rumors that Gakupo is has already engaged his target, but I'm not sure. The others , I don't know yet…" Gumi listed.
Len nodded, waiting for her to continue. Gumi, along with Miku, always kept tabs on everyone, making it their jobs to watch for everyone and know everyone's well-being. And he wasn't about to call Miku. The girl tend to tease him on every chance she got, serious situation or no.
"But, yesterday, Aoi village is all the talk…" Len frowned at her tone. He started scanning his brain on who was in Aoi. "The village was burned. Half of it."
Len went rigid. "…Casted?"
"Seems so. It was obvious that it's been casted by a witch. It lasted for about five hours, according to the news. One-fourth of the population died."
Len cursed, clenching his fist, the envelope crumpling in his grip.
Gumi sighed, her heart feeling heavy.
"Kaito…"
"Kaito…"
"What of him?" Len went alert. So he was the one assigned in Aoi.
"He's fine. But, he's on the hospital there. Staying there for awhile, I heard. His back and arms were burnt. He's injured too, on his back. I don't know the full details. But he would have to start all over again. The witch he was chasing already crossed three villages. All having some accidents too. Nothing serious, no one dead, but it's making everyone panic,"
Gumi pursed her lips in thought. "It's going to be tough for him."
Len clenched his teeth, glaring at nothing in particular.
"I see…"
"Len?"
"I'll contact you soon, Gumi." Len sighed, lowering the phone.
"Wha –? Wait!"
Len ignored her, putting down the phone and leaving his pay on the counter before leaving to his room, his strides rigid and tense.
He frowned. Kaito was a friend. Everyone was a friend. But it was Gumi who loved them all and treated them as a family.
She got hurt when that goofy idiot got hurt.
Gumi pouted, putting the phone back. Sighing, she slung her duffle bag over her shoulder. Donning a black skirt with her belt holding her twin guns on both sides, she zipped up the black leather jacket designed to shield her body like a bullet proof – only stronger. She strapped her AR-15 riffle on her back, already familiar to its weight. Knee-high, leather boots hid her neck knives, although she rarely ever use it. Knives were Meiko's play toy. Her crow pin shone in pride on her skirt, hanging on her belt loop. Reaching on top of her head, she pulled down her black spy goggles to her eyes, adjusting them to her liking and pulling out strands of hair getting in the way. Black lens hid her eyes from the public.
When she was ready and done, she went down the lobby to pay the kind lady for the room before she went on her way, immediately working her legs to a sprint. People merely moved out of her way as she goes, already used to Hunters moving here and there with their big guns and weapons. The last thing they wanted is to get involved with their battles. Besides, no one dares to get in the way with an Elite's job.
Gumi smirked, reaching the woods in mere seconds. Her field of expertise were always of handling guns and her speed. She take pride for being the fastest, maybe a second faster than Len. Then again, Len's the expert in everything. She snorted.
She smiled, when her goggles detected particles left by her witch on the trees. It was faint, but there. And it was leading towards the mountain.
'Mountains? Typical.' Gumi smiled. Witches dig mountains. But then again, this is a Rogue. It's probably going through there to cross to the next village.
She frowned.
Len dropped the money on the counter, a sour expression on his face. A middle-aged man with brown hair jumped from his seat, almost ripping the newspaper he had. He stared confused at the money, blinking when he finally notcied the teen standing before the counter.
"Uh…" the man cleared his throat. Standing straight and smiling down at the shorter male. "Already checking out?"
"Yes." Len nodded, ridding the sour expression on his face. He gave a small smile to the man.
The man nodded, taking the money and counting. "200 Jewels exact," he nodded with a smile. "Thank you, I hope you enjoyed your stay."
Len smiled, his eyes softening. "Thank you, Tsubaki-san." He adjusted the strap of his duffle bag on his shoulder. His cloak gone for the moment; a white, sleeveless turtleneck and black pants with sandals instead of his standard elevator boots. He had taken a shower before heading out in hopes of cooling himself from the heat. Not a minute later and he was already sweating like a pig.
"Well, you haven't even stayed for 24 hours yet you're going already. You must be very busy!" The man, Tsubaki, grinned in appreciation, brown eyes catching sight of the pin currently on his bag. When the boy had came in last night, the pin held his cloak. The heat must be getting to him if he had discarded his cloak. People from the main city always have a hard time coping here with the heat.
"Yes. I have to go." Len said, offering a small, careless wave before turning and walking out of the inn.
"Be careful!" the man shouted.
Len smirked. That man was falling off his chair sleeping when he walked in last night, surprised and awed when Len asked for a room for the night. He had been chatty and excited as he guided him to a vacant room, even introducing himself in a very friendly way, although Len had never given him his name.
He sighed, staring at the bright blue sky in distaste.
"Too hot…" he grumbled. "Oh well,"
Len walked, eager to continue his search yet lazy at the same time. He couldn't concentrate with the sun glaring down on him. When he finally reached Fuji almost a week ago – in three days, earlier than usual - Len had been tracking nonstop all over the place. Fuji has the biggest territory in South Crypton, and his leads led him all around Fuji in days. He stopped in whatever motels he could find during the night, only renting a room for the night then going off after breakfast. He had thought about just camping somewhere to save his money but, then again, he should be careful for the Rogue. And he would die to sleep out in the heat. At least they had the rooms in every motel air-conditioned.
Len frowned, digging in his pocket and pulling out the form containing his mission. He scanned the informations again.
Pumpkin was far by the most silent Rogue. Len could count on his fingers the times she had showed herself in ten years. Yet she's the most famous and most wanted. She only have the Destruction of Tora and the Doku Spreading* as her major crimes, enough to cause problems until now. Her face was still unknown. Everything about that Witch is unknown.
Len frowned. Pumpkin is dangerous. But she had laid low for the past years that none can track her, leaving no trace of her existence or whatsoever whenever she showed up. Although now, for some miracle, they had captured a photo of her in action. A useless, blurry one at that that was placed on his mission form. The only lead he have of her appearance is her blonde hair.
Sighing, Len scowled. He had followed her trail, using a tracking device made by the 5th Division to see Magic Particles left by the witches' magic. Every Hunter has one, although Gumi had her weird goggles as one. The witch was clumsy on her trail. Len scoffed, years laying low and now she's leaving trail like Hansel and Gretel.
"This is giving me a headache…" Len grumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose. All the thinking with the heat is really annoying him.
Len paused.
Blinking, he scanned the area, seeing that he was already passed the village and was now walking down an empty road made in the middle of the woods for travelers. Not that it was surprising. He was leaving anyway, the trail going out of the village. And he was far too glad to be finally inching away from that scorching heat. He supposed that was good. But then he would have to go to the next village to follow it, and the weather would still be the same.
"Damn it." Len mumbled. He was still in Southern Crypton. And it's still hot. Rogues are always so frustrating, never really staying in one place like a regular witch.
Len shook his head to clear his thoughts, having enough already going on in his head. He walked faster, frowning all the while.
He should stay focused. He should only think of nothing but his mission. Nothing but that. He'll worry over Gumi when this is over. He'll worry about the heat when this is over. He'll worry over anything when everything is over.
"What the?" Len stopped, feeling his foot step on something. He glanced down.
He blinked, picking up the white piece of cloth now stained with his footprint. He held it up to his face. "What the heck is this?"
Len tensed when he felt eyes on him.
"Oh, sorry. That's mine."
Dell rubbed his temples, a deep groan resounding through his office as he leaned on his swivel chair.
Three days... three days of lack of sleep and he could practically feel his lifespan shorten. Three days before, the new recruits went on their first mission. And in those three days, he had sent out more Hunters out than usual, letting them deal with weaker and normal witches. Those creatures are getting more and more persistent, leaving Dell with more and more piles of work to do.
Not only that, but one of his Elites were hurt. And none of them, even the new ones, were making any fast progress yet. Sure, it has only been days since he sent them, but it would help to reassure him of their progress. Rogues are tough, he knew that. And his problems grew more as he have to worry about the villagers of Aoi.
"God..." Dell sighed. "So many problems, and only one me..." he grumbled, letting his eyes close for the moment. The light was blinding him. And he needed rest. Even just for a second.
Just as his breathing started to even, someone came knocking his door.
"Captain."
Dell snorted, sitting up in a flash. He cleared his throat.
"Come in."
Lieutenant Bruno let himself in, towering the captain with his height. He was lean, his uniform consisting of all black. His face was taut, with sharp, dark eyes and a strong jaw with sideburns adorning his face.
Dell sent him a questioning look. "State your business, Lt. Bruno."
"Captain, Lt. Yowane has favored me to inform you of Shion Kaito's progress." he bowed in respect.
Dell stood immediately. "What of his progress?" he asked, curious about his injured Elite.
Bruno looked at his captain in the eyes. "He has healed quickly, thanks to the delivery from the 4th Squad. He will continue his mission and travel to Megumi Village in the morning, where his target currently hides."
Dell nodded. So Kaito was back on the road. Bruno bowed again to signal his exit.
"What of Kagamine?" Dell asked, stopping the lieutenant from closing the door.
"We have yet to receive any news from him."
"This is yours?"
Len stared at the girl standing behind him, turning to fully face her properly. The piece of cloth still in his hand.
"Yes." she smiled.
Len narrowed his eyes. The girl was shorter, having a petite stature, standing with her hands relaxed on either sides of her, making Len wonder. Most girls, anyone really, would have back away and tense at the attention of a Hunter.
Short tresses of golden blonde hair reached just the base of her neck, some strand curling to her chin. Her fringe were swept on one side, held by two pins, with some strands falling to her eyes. She wore regular clothing, a plain beige dress reaching her kness with short sleeves. A white sash was tied around her waist in a ribbon on her back, showing off soft curves of her lithe form. Azure eyes stared at him, clearly as blue as the sky itself. Her pale skin complimented her eyes, and her lips curled into a soft smile.
Len would admit that she does rival Miku's beauty, if she was not so suspicious.
"I see..." Len replied. He held his arm out, the cloth on his palm. "Here."
The girl smiled, taking long and confident strides to reach him. She held on his stare, refusing to back down. When she reached him, she took her cloth, taking the chance on caressing her fingers against him for a millisecond. Her smile twisted into a smirk when Len stiffened, giving her a warning glare.
It didn't affect her.
"Alright," Len stepped back, uncomfortable with the girl stepping close to him. "You got it back. Sorry for ruining it," he glanced at the dark footprint on the cloth, not really feeling sorry.
"I'm off." Len turned, intent on losing the girl when she said something that made him pause.
"Oh my, you're a Witch Hunter!"
Len turned his head to glare at her, seeing her smile stretch into a grin. Len glanced down on his other hand, seeing that he was still holding his mission.
Len nodded.
"Well, that's tough. They're faster than you, you know?" she said, scratching her cheek with a finger.
Len scowled, making out the mocking tone in her voice. "I can do it."
The girl shrugged. "Well, yeah. But You'll die facing a Rogue."
Len cursed. She had probably peeked on his paper when she had gotten closer.
"I won't."
She shrugged again. "Still. A Witch will only play with you."
Len frowned, turning to look at the road ahead of him. She's starting to annoy him.
Len walked, taking ten steps before he asked a question.
"What do you know of witches?"
"Well..." she trailed, her head tilted to the side.
Her smile darkened.
"What if... I am one?"
Her eyes widened in shock, not even getting the chance to blink when Len was suddenly in front of her, his free hand around her neck. He glared down at her, his expression twisting into rage.
"Look, woman," he growled, his voice low. The girl snapped out of her shock, returning the smile on her face. "You better avoid joking around. I'm tired dealing with crap."
He tightened his grip for emphasis, his breathing ragged with anger and annoyance.
"Oh..."
Len blinked, seeing the girl relax under his grip.
She grinned, staring up on him. "Well, I'm not joking."
Len paled when her eyes flashed gold her power nearly engulfing him and shaking him to the core. His knees buckled, cursing as he jumped back, setting a distance between him and her. He brought his palm up to his face, watching it shake in tremors. He suddenly felt tired, feeling drained and spent. He glared when the girl scoffed.
"Well, you deserve that for letting your guard down."
Len brought his gaze on her, tensing in surprise when her clothing changed, with her arms crossed over her chest and a dissapointed look on her face. He frowned.
The witch raised a brow, feline-like, golden eyes sent shivers down his spine. She was paler than her human disguise, donning a loose, rich peach kimono with slits exposing her shoulder, with the sleeves too long that it touched the ground. Intricate patterns of Cherry blossoms added to the touch. The kimono ended on her mid-thighs, with a a golden obi wrapped around her waist twisted into a morning glory knot on the back. A white obijime is added as a decoration with her obi, knotted into a small ribbon on the front. Her legs were exposed and her feet left bare. The thin cloth she retrieved from Len was tied securely on top of her head as a ribbon.
"You litte..." Len growled, making the witch arched her brows in amusement, a small smirk curling her lips.
"Finally showing yourself..." Len panted, arching his back before bringing his right hnad just below his chin while his other stayed lowered to his side. "Pumpkin."
She blinked, her face blank. She observed his stance, actually wanting to know why he think he could take her with just his bare hands. She narrowed her eyes when she saw him shaking.
Her power alone was already making him weak.
"That's not my name, human." she drawled.
"I don't care!" Len yelled, clenching his fists. He charged first, his anger getting the best of him. He went, bringing his leg up to kick her side.
The witch was momentarily shocked, dodging by the last second. He's faster than he looks.
For a human.
Smirking, She took entertainment in seeing his confused stare when she merely stood on his suspended leg.
"My real name's Rin."
A/N: Thank you guys! Lots of love from me! Up next, a fight...
(*) it's nothing special. "Doku" is poison in japanese.
JAPAN REVIEWS :
Bubble Smoosher 's question (from chap. 3 I forgot. sorry): "What's boyfriend/girlfriend in japanese?"
-Weird question. The thing is, it's the same in Japanese. You just have to sound it out. Like 'Boifurendo' in 'Boyfriend'. And 'Garufurendo' in 'Girlfriend'. You have to write it in Katakana though, foreign words are written in Katakana in Japan. Although, sometimes, "Kanojou" is also a term for girlfriend. :) hope this helps.
Clockwork Marionette 's question : "Explain how the Japanese school system works"
-Well, probably what everyone wanted to know. It's similar to the American system. Only, it starts in April and ends in March the following year. It's separated in 3 terms, then having a two-weeks vacation after every term, although they still have homeworks in their vacations. The first one ends in mid July, the second starting from early September (after their summer vacation) to December. Then, fianlly, January-March. There are 6 yrs. of Elem. School (Shougakkou), 3 yrs. of Junior H.S (Chuugakkou) and another 3 yrs. for High School, or Senior H.S (Koutogakkou). Though most just called it just "High school".
After graduating in Junior H.S however, you can choose whether or not you can continue High School or you can just find a job. In Elem. School, only one teacher teaches all the subject, and usually the class is up to 6 hrs. Some school even have a schedule of Monday-Saturday. Depends really on the school. Junior H.S is Grade 7-9. And different teachers teach for different subjects. Although the students only remain in one section and the teachers are the one who goes to their next assigned room/section. Students can choose whether they want to continue to university/college (Daigaku).
Their uniform is called "Seifuku". And they have lunch in their classroom or wherever. Schools have shoe-lockers to put in their shoes every morning when they come in, only allowing an indoor-shoes to help the place stay clean. They exchanged it again when they go home. :) I hope this helps. Just ask more if what you're seeking isn't here.
QuirkyAwesome 's question: "What's Tanabata?"
-Tanabata is a festival in Japan celebrated every July 7. Although we have discussions that in other parts of Japan, they celebrate it in August 7. There are a bunch of stories and folklores around it. But they all have the same concept, it's about two lovers who were seperated in the Milky Way and only meet once every year on the 7th day of the 7th month. People write wishes on a strip of paper (Tanzaku) and hang them on bamboo trees so your wish will come true.
It's about a Princess named Orihime who weave beautiful clothes to her father, Tentei. She likes to work by the bank of Amanogawa (Milky Way [it's a river, don't fret]). Although since she's always busy, she's kinda sad that she couldn't meet or fall in love with anyone. So her father arranged her to meet Hikoboshi, a cow herder who works on the other side of the river. When they fell in love and got married, they stopped working. Orihime stopped her weaving and Hikoboshi let his cows wonder everywhere (god, talk about lazy [me]). With Orihime's father angry, he seperated the two. Although he consented and let the two meet once a year on the 7th day of the 7th month because Orihime begged him (She cried.)
A flock of magpies serves as their bridge because there was no bridge to reach each other. And so, every year is like that. There's a saying that when it rains that day, the magpies can't come so they have to wait for the next year...
Talk about cliche. Well. That's the most famous story behind Tanabata, but there are A LOT of other versions for it. Our school follows a different version, but this is the most talk-about story between our discussions and such. And the most famous one. :) Hope this helps.
www - that.. is actually a good idea. Wow! maybe you can do it, though... Cuz, I actually have plans already XD ! And I'm not gonna stray from it. But it was a good idea. Thank you. And who knows, maybe your story would be better than mine. And thank you for the review :)
Clockwork Marionette - I love you cuz I love marionettes! XD! And you sent 2 reviews! Thank you for that... Lol, thanks if you think it's a "heaven-sent" story! YOU MADE MY HEART FLUTTER I LOVE YOU MAN! I hope I answered your question just fine :) Tell me what you think of Rinny now.
hatelife - YES! I did! I can't believe you waited! My god, I'm so sorry! I love you! I won't do that again, promise.
iloveLENRIN - Thank you! I'm so glad you understand and you LOVE my story! Thank you so SO much!
Bubble Smoosher - I'm sorry about Kaito. But don't worry!
QuirkyAwesome - here it is! I hope you love it!