DISCLAIMER: I do not own Vocaloid. Or their songs.

Note: This was inspired by the song "Dreamy Cherry Blossoms" by Hitoshizuku-P. (SHE IS A GODDESS. And Mothy and Jin are gods. Listen to their songs, and you'll understand.) I already had the basic idea, and after listening to the song I got motivated to actually start writing.

To my reviewers: Thank you so much! I was so excited that I started writing the next chapter the next day. Then I remembered homework. So I've been alternating between writing and homework. It's not a very good way to save time, or to get more sleep. But whatever.

Enjoy. :)

Monday, 1-2-400

Second Day: High Hopes

I was awoken by the sound of Luka's voice.

"My Lady Rin Majesty," she said loudly.

Groaning, I unwillingly sat up. Luka only addressed me that way if one of Father's servants was nearby.

"Leon," she whispered in my ear.

I stood up and stumbled as the gray morning light flickered and dimmed.

"Shall I receive it?" she asked worriedly.

"I'm fine."

It was a lazy morning. A layer of gray clouds kept the sunlight from reaching the ground, and the air was humid.

Yawning, I slid open the door and walked through the trees a few hundred meters to the front of my property, where a giant metal gate stood between my land and the gravel road that led south. This was the only way anyone could get in or out – unless, apparently, someone was to climb over the wall. Someone like Len.

The messenger was waiting on the other side of the gate. Seeing me, he smirked.

"Lady Rin Majesty," he greeted me, bowing deeply and mockingly. "Lady Lapis Majesty sends her regards and an invitation to her approaching wedding." He reached between the bars of the gate and held out a thin envelope. "She hopes that you will do her the honor of attending."

"Please tell her that it would be my pleasure," I quietly replied, taking the envelope.

"His Royal Majesty would like you to know that your lessons will resume on the 9th."

I nodded absently, unable to take my eyes off of the invitation.

"In addition, he has agreed to allow you to participate in the Moonflower Parade this year. That is all."

"Thanks, Leon." I raised my head and weakly lifted a corner of my mouth.

"What follows are my own words," he said, his voice losing its arrogance as he switched back to his natural sound. "You didn't understand all the way. He's not just considerin'. He's agreed. You're goin' for sure this year."

My spirits immediately rose.

"Thank you, Sir Leon," Luka said, bowing, "from both of us."

He winked. "Enjoy the holiday, Lady Rin Majesty. G'day, Miss Luka."

He quickly mounted his horse and rode off. His sandy hair was bleached silver under the dull morning light. It contrasted pleasantly with the horse's ebony coat.

"I like him," I told Luka, beaming.

"He is kind," Luka agreed. "He is the only messenger that bothers to speak to you, I believe."

"Yes."

"Though he always seems to look down on us," she noted, her eyes still gazing at his retreating figure. "Or pity us."

"He respects you," I corrected her, pleased to see that her cheeks colored slightly.

A curious voice broke in, "Wouldn't that make him a bad messenger? A messenger that uses his journeys for socializing isn't a very good one."

I froze. That voice sounded unpleasantly familiar. . . . But he couldn't be here, right?

"An intruder," Luka hissed, breaking out of her trance. She placed a hand on my arm and spun me towards the gate.

A moment later, while I was still trying to orient myself, a loud thwack marked the meeting of a knife with wood.

"Ow! Hey, Rin, you didn't tell me that your servant was – dammit, this thing's stuck on!"

"Who are you?" Luka asked loudly. "Why are you here?"

"Luka, stop," I commanded.

I opened my eyes and suddenly found that I was unable to breathe.

He was stunning. I hadn't seen him clearly last night, but now that I could . . . he was stunning.

"My Lady," Luka whispered, just as shocked.

I nodded mutely.

He had all the marks of a foreigner: a head of silky blonde hair, thin lips, a petite nose, and gently sloping eyebrows. Only his cerulean eyes showed his mixed heritage. He wore a loose white vest and black shorts, both adorned with yellow stripes; and tall white boots. His slender neck was graced with a black and green collar, from which hung a small clef symbol pendant. Translucent black coverings covered his forearms and lower legs, and a shimmering yellow ribbon was wrapped around his thick belt at his right hip.

"Wow," Len exhaled, staring at me. "You look-"

"You look like my mother," I blurted out. "In an alien's clothing. And with blue eyes."

His lower lip stuck out slightly. "Well, you look like me."

"I look like my mother."

"You're saying I look like a woman?"

"Yes."

"You're mean."

I smiled at that. "It's not bad. You are very attractive. Your hair and eyes are darker – manlier, I suppose."

He blushed endearingly. "And you are . . . very pale. But cute."

"You know him, My Lady?" Luka politely enquired.

"Somewhat."

She lowered her arm and bowed to Len, contritely saying, "I apologize, sir. I did not realize that you were an acquaintance of My Lady."

"It's fine – just fine," he muttered, tugging at a corner of his shorts, which was pinned to a wooden post with one of Luka's knives.

He pulled at the knife, holding his breath until his face reddened. Luka and I watched, amused.

After a moment, he let go and despondently tugged at the cloth.

"Can you get me off of this thing?"

Luka swiftly pulled the knife out of the post and slid it into its sheath, a piece of rope tied around her thigh. Len stared at her.

"Luka is trained to protect me," I explained. "She has other weapons. Don't try to sneak up on her. The key word here is 'try.'"

"I'll remember that. Although," he added, "I'm a pretty good fighter myself."

"If you harm My Lady," Luka said calmly, "I will destroy you."

"No offense intended," he yielded, raising his hands up in a gesture of surrender.

"None taken," she replied coolly. "It is simply a warning."

"You have a loyal dog, Rin." Len grinned at me and pointed at Luka.

"Call me Saku."

"Shall I destroy him, My Lady?"

"I'm not that easy to kill."

"For My Lady, I will-"

"There's no need," I hastily interjected.

Luka slowly and deliberately shut her mouth and stared at the ground. A pit of dread began churning in my stomach.

Turning to Len, I asked, "Why and how are you here?"

"I was bored."

"You were lost."

"I kept walking, and somehow I ended up here. You've got a big place. It's pretty lonely."

"You could have gotten lost again."

He shrugged. "I didn't really think that far."

"I will take you back now."

"Back where?"

"The wall. Luka – my clothes."

Luka inclined her head and headed back towards the house. Len followed me to the backyard.

We passed by Mama's flowers and the piano before arriving next to his violin, which was resting in a small depression between some tree roots.

"Pretty," he commented, motioning towards Mama's flowers as he picked up his violin.

"Yes."

"Does the piano work?"

"Yes."

"Can you play?"

"Yes."

"Can you play now?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Not in the mood. I am going to change my clothes. Wait here."

Shrugging, he leaned against a tree and began tuning his violin.

I dragged my feet, bracing myself for the coming onslaught. Sure enough, the moment I entered my room, Luka closed the door, frowned, and began peppering me with questions.

"Who is he?" she asked.

I slipped Lapis's wedding invitation under one of my pillows and replied, "A boy I met yesterday. My clothes?"

She handed over the kimono and continued, "How did he get here?"

I slid off my nightgown.

"He said he climbed over the wall."

"Impossible. With a violin?"

"Yes."

"What do you think of him?"

"He is a good violin player," I said cautiously, pulling on a thin white dress.

"What else?"

"He is friendly. I don't believe that he means to harm us."

"You are too naïve. What is his family name?"

"I don't know."

"Why did he come here? The citizens know to avoid this place. No good citizen should be here."

I wrapped the kimono around my body without speaking or looking at her. She contritely lowered her head.

"I apologize, My Lady," she said.

"There's no need. You are right. No good citizen should be here. I will send him away."

"Will he speak of us? The boy knows the truth."

"I trust him. Help me tie." I held out the obi sash. Luka grudgingly complied.

"You have known him for a day, I believe."

"He seems friendly."

"His appearance begs to differ."

"His appearance is fine."

"My Lady . . ."

"I know what you're thinking, Luka. This has nothing to do with my mother."

"I did not mention your mother," she said, stepping away and surveying my attire.

"You were thinking it."

"My Lady, you were thinking it, I believe."

Angry, I brushed past her and headed towards the door.

"My Lady!"

"Leave me be, Luka. I will take him to the wall, let him leave, and we will never see or hear of him again. You should be happy with that."

I sounded bitter again. Luka opened her mouth but made no sound.

Feeling guilty, I pushed open the door and stepped onto the porch. At that moment, Len decided to begin playing the violin again.

It was the song from last night, just faster and less melancholy. Gathering all my willpower, I managed to keep my mouth shut.

I turned towards Luka and lifted a corner of my mouth. "See? He's good."

Her eyes narrowed, but she merely nodded.

"Len!" I called out, stepping down from the porch. "Time to go."

I lifted the sunflower off of the piano and began walking without looking back. Still playing, Len followed.

Good gods, I wanted to sing.

After a few minutes of battling with my desires, I said flatly, "Please stop playing."

He paused. "Why? Sing along."

"I can't. At least play something else."

Shrugging, he switched to a simple, sorrowful melody.

"Stop."

"Again?"

"I know this song as well. Play a song I don't know."

"So what if you know it?"

"I'll want to sing."

I closed my eyes and massaged my temples. Len swiftly began a series of sharp staccatos, followed by a few long, drawn-out notes.

"Why must you play songs that I know?"

He ignored my interruption.

"Len, please stop playing."

Loudly exhaling, he lifted his bow and said, "You're ruining the mood."

"There is no mood."

"Why don't you sing?"

"I can't."

"You were perfectly capable last night."

"I can't sing."

"Is it because you might start coughing?"

"Just stop talking!" I burst out. I whirled around to glare at him. "Don't play and don't talk. I cannot stand your noise one minute longer."

"Touchy, aren't we?"

"Do not speak as if you understand me!"

I stalked away, fuming.

Len obliviously stumbled after me, calling out, "'Flutter, Flutter' didn't work, and now 'Skeleton Life' is a problem! Those aren't even well-known! Is there a song you don't know?"

"If I didn't know it then I wouldn't know the name, would I?" I shouted back.

"I'll admit that 'Skeleton Life' might be pretty famous, but it's so recent! I thought you were some sort of old-timey person!"

"That's good! Just keep insulting me, why don't you?"

"Just sing less loudly, then!"

"Stop following me!"

"I have to get to the wall!"

"Just shut up and follow me!"

I stomped into Brook Meadow and knelt next to the water, dropping the sunflower next to me. My face, distorted by waves and ripples, frowned at me.

Glowering, I placed a hand on the water, destroying the image.

"Why're you so touchy?" Len grumbled, emerging from the forest. "You shouldn't try to limit others because of your own inability to do what you want to do."

"Sorry," I said flatly, staring at my wet hand. A stream of water snaked down my arm to my elbow, where it dripped onto my kimono.

Shaking his head, Len asked, "Are we going to start this thing?"

I nodded and picked up the sunflower, motioning for him to kneel beside me. Holding it above the water with both hands, I closed my eyes and prayed for its safe departure from my world.

When I opened my eyes, I saw that Len had mimicked my position and was mumbling something under his breath. I couldn't help but smile. What a strange boy.

"Open your eyes," I said.

He complied, just in time to see me set the sunflower in the water. It quickly flowed away, jostled by the waves and the faint breeze.

"Pretty," Len commented.

"Yes." I hesitated, and then added, "I really am sorry."

"Apology accepted. Is it really that bad?"

"No. You can play. I will . . . control my emotions."

"What's so bad about a few coughs?"

I merely shook my head and stood up.

"Fine then," he said sullenly. "I guess I'll just never know."

"Yes." Before he could reply, I stood up and asked, "Shall we go?"

Len dryly answered, "You're quite the reserved girl. Sure. Let's go."

As we walked out of the meadow, I cautioned him, "Do not speak of us to anyone."

"No one?"

"No one. Our security could be threatened."

"That's sucks, because I was planning to brag about my adventure with a few of my best friends and my parents."

"You would all be killed."

"As long as it's kept secret from the rest of the world, can't I tell some people?"

"No."

"Maybe I'll tell Al. . . ."

I turned towards him, prepared to scold him for being so thoughtless, when I saw that he was shaking with silent laughter.

"You're joking."

"Am I?" His smile widened.

In answer, I grinned wryly. "You are."

That was the last word either of us spoke that day.

I walked with Len all the way to the foot of the wall, and then watched in awe as he scrambled up the wall, moving more like an eight-legged spider than a young boy carrying a violin in one hand and a violin bow between his teeth.

At the top of the wall, he waved at me, leaning forward so far that I feared for his safety. I quickly waved back.

Then he disappeared over the edge, and I remained standing there, one hand pressed up against the stone, surrounded by fallen cherry blossom petals and wondering whether the little sunflower would make it outside.

After a moment, a songbird trilled. I quickly cleared my thoughts and began walking back home.

It was time for breakfast. I was getting hungry. And Luka was waiting.

Fear not! This is Rin X Len - so, naturally, Len will be back.

This chapter's not as good as the first one, in my opinion. But Chapter 3 will be much better. I promise!

Sweet dreams . . .