Len POV
We reached the edge of the village. Kaito motions for me to halt, and we slip off our horses in the shade of the trees. Kaito ties them, and then we head into town.
It is a dismal place, just as Rin had described. There are people about, occasionally conversing or arguing, but they all have a gleam of need in their eyes. I casually saunter around, copying Kaito as we drifted around the edge of the town.
Abruptly, Kaito whisks around to face me, eyes narrowed and arms ready for attack, but as a pair of arms slide around my waist, he stops in surprise. I immediately stiffen at the contact and twist to see Rin, her face buried in my back.
She removes her face to look up at me, her face neither apologetic nor sheepish. She has a stubborn, determined look, firmly planted in her mind, but her blue eyes revealed relief as they gazed intensely up at me.
For a moment I felt relief, as I always do when we are together again. And acknowledgement that she is unharmed, and close to me again, so I myself can protect her like no one else can. But that is quickly replaced with a hot jolt of anger.
"Rin!" I hiss, dragging her into an alley. "I told you you could not come!" she folds her arms across her chest defiantly. She is dressed in the same clothes as yesterday, and her hair is slightly mussed and windswept- surely a result from coming here directly from her bed and from riding a horse fast in pursuit. A smudge of dirt marks the pale skin on her soft cheek, and I must restrain myself from removing it tenderly.
"Stop leaving me behind." Rin retorts. Her eyes glance behind me, where Kaito has followed us protectively. He nods slightly in acknowledgment of Rin.
"Princess." He mumbles politely. She nods hastily back before returning her attention to me.
"Rin, it's not safe. Why don't you ever listen to me?" I bantered.
"Because I'm a free lady and can decide things for myself!" she storms quietly, as to not attract attention. "If you don't want me here, I'll investigate on my own!"
Slowly dragging my hands across my face to muffle my groans of frustration, I consider the options. Her stubbornness is unflappable, but if I send her back with Kaito ill not only be lost on my own but it will most likely cause a scene. I sigh and hold out my hand to my love, already regretting this.
She beams and takes my hand.
"You have to stay close at all times, understand?" I demand. She nods solemnly, but her eyes glow brightly, revealing her excitement.
"I mean it Rin…" I warn her, put she only nods dismissedly, pulling me forward.
"Wasting daylight!" She announces as we walk into the sunlight of the morning, with Kaito following us dutifully if not discreetly.
People are suspicious, not only of us, but of each other. True to her word, Rin does stick to my side, her small hand enclosed in mine as we wander the streets and eventually small stores.
We speak to the shopkeeper briefly, asking casually if he had heard any news concerning the famine and the prince. He denies knowledge with cold, guarded eyes. He looks over us curiously, and I draw Rin closer to me and we walk away to the other side of the room, disappearing behind shelves.
"Len, I know what I heard!" she whispers harshly, her blue eyes wide.
"Shhh I know, Rin. I think they just aren't going to say anything to outsiders." I reply. I spot Kaito, who appears to be absently looking at items on a shelf nearby. I turn to Rin.
"Did I hear you guys ask about the famine?" a voice interjects. I turn, keeping Rin behind my back cautiously to see a brown haired man at the end of the aisle. He is tall with cold gray eyes. Rin stiffens behind me at his voice, and starts to urgently poke me in the back. Ignoring her, I try and look normal and nod slowly.
"We come from the east village." I lie. "We had nothing there, so we came here because we need help and we heard…things." Rin digs her nails into my back warningly, so I quickly flash my eyes to Kaito. Out of the man's sight, he nods slowly, right hand brushing against his hip where he keeps a dagger.
The man smiles slightly and walks closer, dropping his voice. "Really? Because people around here are sort of in the same condition." He places his hands in his coat, flapping it out before relaxing his arms. His coat is brown like his hair with a flash of red on the inside.
"That's what we heard." I reply smoothly. I see the man's eyes flick to Rin, and I grab her from behind me, dragging her forward to my side.
"Me and my little sister here have more siblings at home that are hungry. I plan to do something about it." I meet his eyes carefully, and Rin leans into me ever so slightly.
The man meets my gaze, and after a moment nods. "Why don't we talk outside?" he suggests with a lithely wave of his hand. I nod.
As we follow him to the door, Rin puts her lips to my ear.
"He's the one I heard talking Len! We can't go with him!" she protests, her breath warm. I squeeze her reassuringly.
"Kaito is right behind us." I murmur. I really don't want to take Rin, but I see no good way out of it. Luckily, she looks up, flicking her bangs back casually, slipping into her role.
Outside, the man gestures us into an alley, where we are lead down twists and turns until he abruptly stops and turns to us. My heart beats fast, technically, it's two against one, but I really don't like this situation.
"Now I would never want to frighten you miss, but some things must be said." He announces. He holds out his hand to me. "I'm Meito, pleased to meet you, even under the circumstances." I take his hand, noting that this is a first. No one ever offers their hand to me because of rank. I decide it's not too bad, even if I don't want to touch this guy.
"I'm Lina, and this is Rene." Rin pipes up sweetly. He nods at her, and then turns his steely eyes to me.
"There is to be an uprising against the selfish prince, and you two came just in time." Chills run up and down my spine, and I feel Rin's hand clench mine slightly harder. I glance at her quickly; by her face you would never know.
"Oh really?" She asks. "Is it dangerous?" she adds in a small voice, very unusual for her.
He smiles at her in a condescending way. "Oh course not. In out, the men will take care of the big stuff." She beams at him brightly, as if his words were reassuring, even though I'm pretty sure they are our death sentence, and the words turn my stomach. I ponder what the odds are if I take Rin and just run for it.
"Sounds like a plan that will set things in motion." I say, steadying my voice. He nods slyly.
"The prince and his little princess ward have been corrupting the country from the outside in. people need things just like you." I nod, holding back my exploding anger. I try to loosen my death grip on Rin's hand when I feel her tug on it, uncomfortable.
"You two in?" he asks smoothly. I nod, and stretch my lips into what hopes to be a smile. Apparently I succeed, because he slaps me on the back comradely.
"Great. Meet on the square in two hours." We say our goodbyes, Rin and I as tense as boards, and as soon as he is out of sight I turn the opposite way and start walking. The sun has started to descend from the sky, turning it gold and peach. I drag Rin away from the village to where our horses are, and she says nothing. Kaito slips out of the shadows and joins us.
"Sir, shall I alert the troops?" I grit my teeth.
"No." I manage. We approach the horses, still picketed in the dark shade of the trees. They stop their grazing when we approach, and I halt and turn, grabbing my twin.
"Rin." I whisper, before crushing my lips to hers. Kaito, if surprised, shows no notice of it and slips away closer to the horses.
"Len? What are-" she starts.
"Don't worry about it." I interrupt, my hands still clenching her soft arms. I crush her to me, and her hands come around and she lays her head down to my chest.
"What Len?" she prompts. I close my eyes as the pain and realization wash over me. I bring a hand up to her hair and gently smooth it to feel its silkiness.
"You must go now Rin." I whisper tenderly. She tenses, then pushes herself away, struggling against my hold.
"What?" she gasps. "You said-!"
"That was before." I say sadly, stroking her panicked face gently. "Now you must go with Kaito and flee the country. The border is not far from here." She bangs on my chest with her fists, angry.
"No! I won't!" She refuses. I kiss the top of her head, lingering there for a moment.
"I'll join you when I can. But I have to try and fix this." I say. I look up. "Kaito."
He comes forward, having heard the conversation. "I'm sorry princess." He murmurs as he takes her from me. As soon as she realizes it, she starts thrashing around like mad.
"NO! Len! Stop!" She scratches and bucks wildly, tears streaming down her face as she reaches out for me, just as she did before. I catch her hand briefly, and she holds onto me tight as Kaito puts her on a horse.
"You can't do this!" She sobs angrily, her eyes furious beneath the tears. "I won't let you do this!" she threatens as I kiss her hand.
"I must." I stress. She shakes her head frantically, her golden hair swinging madly. I cover my mouth to stifle the emotion that is attempting to break through as my heart sinks.
"Take her away." I instruct. "At least to the border. Find refuge with this." I pass him the emergency bag of coins which he accepts gravely. Rin sobs into the horse's mane. I look at Kaito instead of her as to not break.
"I will sir. And protect her with my life." I nod to the loyal solider and take a last look at my love, my throat choked. I let go of her hand and she begins to scream loudly. The heels of my boots press into the grass as I walk away, knowing I won't be able to watch them depart without calling her back.
"LEN!" She screams, her voice echoing across the empty field as the hooves strike the ground.
I don't turn around, just keep walking back to the village, but each step gets harder until I fall to the ground, like a tree without life. I bury my head in my hands.
"Oh Rin…" I choke out. How could I have done such a thing? She was everything… and I may not ever see her again. My precious Rin…
At least it will be for the best. It has to be. It has to be. I must keep her safe, no matter what it takes.
I walk back to the village somberly, vowing to stop this revolt before is begins.
A/N
I know it's been forever, I wouldn't blame you guys if you hate my guts! I would! But I sincerly apologize, I had no intention of waiting so long! But I got terrible writers block and just got off track... I am so sorry! 2 months is a long time... TAT
The next chapter is already half written and will be the last, and I promise to post it within two weeks or less! Please forgive me!
Maximum Phantomhive~ Aw we all love the twincest! Yea, twincest for the win! Or just Kagaminecest! XD And thank you~ Thats so cool you've got a twin! Bet you guys talk telpathically like my brothers ;D
Red528~ XD yes, it was! I'm sorry!
Eukari-KIip~ Thank you! Oh yea, Rin would have his head! (story of Evil, too soon TAT) Aww fan girl giggles! I love those XD It was no problem! I'm glad I could help.
Hmm, you are quite perceptive. But who can say how it shall end? *Runs off mysteriously*
I'm sorry! I promise to continue writing other stuff! D:
Rilliane l'Austriche~ No! I almost always do happy endings, its' a bad habit TAT Thank you!
Lunag6~ I don't know! I'm sorry! But I am planning on a new RinxLen story that I will begin after this one!
Saa-San~ Don't worry about it! Any review is precious~
Forever? I wonder if I could write an interesting never-ending story... XD might be something to try!
They will be together! I know it ;D An execution, and I would die sobbing because it would remind me of Story of Evil TAT
You are spot on ;D you guys are always guessing right!
Aw thank you! I already have begun planning the next...
Vocaloid302~ They are simply soliders from another country, who are under orders to kill them so they other country can take over.
TeamKagamineForever~ Aww thank you! You are so sweet TAT Ditto with the twincest ;) I promise to write faster this time! And he will try...
Clavemien Nigram Rosa~ Thank you!
TheSapphireRose~ Aw thank you! Heehee, another recruit... just kidding! Thank you so much, you are so kind TAT
The next will be out soon guys! Thank you so much for paitence, and for being supportive! I am very lucky and thankful. I hope you will all forgive me for my blunder!