A/N: NOT THE LAST CHAPTER. AGAIN. XD Sorry, guys, I feel like I'm trolling you all with this. But I promise that without a doubt next chapter will be the last chapter. When I was writing this, the "last chapter" was going on ten pages 10 point font in a word document and I wasn't eve

Chapter 9: When Hope Fails

Earl Kagamine smiled as the first carriages pulled in front of the mansion as he stood atop the steps, looking down on them. The future of the Kagamine family was seeming nothing but bright. Not only were they joining with a Duke's family, but gaining ground with some of the higher nobles of the Kagami family rather than just the lowly Shions. Perhaps in the future they could be next to the King? Earl Kagamine amused himself with that idea as he saw Baron Shion, Earl Kagami, Kaito, and Rin step out from inside the carriages that loomed. At last Earl Kagamine decided to descend the steps, thinking of himself was some sort of god lowering himself from the sky.

"So good of you to join me this afternoon."

"Has Duke Hatsune arrived yet?" Baron Shion inquired, glancing nervously around himself.

Just before Earl Kagamine could respond, as if on cue, another carriage rolled into sight. All turned around to look, only to see Duke Hatsune step out of the carriage by himself. His expression looked wary and somewhat irritated, eyelids swollen and lips pursed.

"Good day, Duke Hatsune." Earl Kagamine smiled, "Where is your daughter this afternoon?"

"That girl is simply impossible," Duke Hatsune started, "No matter the circumstances, she will not leave her room. What stubborn creatures women are." He glanced at Rin for a brief moment and then turned to give Earl Kagamine an obligatory smile despite his exhausted expression.

Rin narrowed her eyes at the man, catching his small gesture and holding back her tongue. Even before she could speak her mind, Earl Kagamine had interjected.

"Shall we go in for tea, then? It is waiting for us in the drawing room."

Without awaiting their approval and anxious to bring them into his home, Earl Kagamine began to ascend the steps, feeling like he was ascending to a throne. He listened eagerly to the footsteps behind him and even more intently listened as they entered the main hall. The man grinned to himself when he heard whispers of approval, particularly from his former enemy, Earl Kagami.

Earl Kagamine ushered his guests into the drawing room, pleased that his servants had set out the finest china with the aroma of his strongest tea wafting in the air. Why they had seated themselves, the nobles cautiously glanced at each other with no words being spoken between them. All except for Earl Kagamine, who had already taken a sip of his tea. He surveyed the room once more and turned to a passing servant with pursed lips.

"Where is my son?"

"I believe he is still in his chamber, My Lord."

"Then go get him and bring him here." Earl Kagamine had spoken through clenched teeth, speaking lowly but fiercely accenting the beginnings of his words.

With that, the servant scurried out of the room and hurried down the hall, making his way to Len's chamber.

Len Kagamne had seen the carriages stop in front of the mansion and he had seen his father greet his guests. He had been watching silently from his chamber window that whole time. He was trembling a little with slightly quicker breathing than usual, but the truth was that he was carefully sorting out his words in his mind. He had come at a standstill however, so even when his father had brought in his guests, he still remained at the window. He had continued to stand there a little while longer before jumping at the sound of rapping on his door.

He turned to find a flustered servant peering inside.

"Your father wishes for your presence in the drawing room for tea."

With a creak from his stiff bones, Len hesitantly bent his knees and began moving forward. It almost did not feel as if he was moving his legs by himself, but it seemed that he was being pushed forward by some other power. As he followed the servant through the halls, he raised his head and breathed in deeply. He continued to search his mind, but it was to no avail. Len was dragged out from within his mind when the voice of his father came into hearing range.

"How are the wedding arrangements with your son, Baron Shion?"

Still no words had come to Len's mind, and he was drawing ever closer.

"They are coming along nicely. All is progressing well. It is at a steady pace."

Nothing...

"Perhaps I should start wedding arrangements for my son. Don't you think so too, Len?"

Len was frozen underneath the door frame in chilling eye contact with his father. A brief moment then turned into an agonizingly long instant. Staring at those very familiar, cold blue eyes, Len felt a bead of sweat linger on his temple. He then surveyed the rest of the room, listening to and feeling his heart thrash around in his chest. His eyes crossed that of the other nobles, finding their piercing gazes all on him. He quickly passed over Kaito, not being able to stand the expression on his face that remained from the previous night.

And then Len's eyes fell on Rin. The sight of her was his haven in that hell, her beautiful expression and angelic form seemingly shining. Though his heart continued to beat rapidly with that unbearable pain that wrenched his stomach, Len couldn't deny that seeing her face was like glimpsing at freedom. He couldn't help but remember her words from the previous night, and then he let them melt into his mind. Rin's lips then curved into a small, encouraging smile. She believed in him, and he in her.

Len loved her. That was the truth. And he would say it straight and pure.

"No."

There was a horrifyingly empty pause.

"Pardon...?"

Len turned to face his father, whose face was riddled with disbelief. He rolled his lips in, terrified to continue, but he had to push forward.

"I am not marrying Miku."

"What in blazes are you saying?" There was a flare of anger in Earl Kagamine's voice.

"I'm..." Len breathed deeply and shifted his eyes to Rin, a slight blush crossing his face, "I'm in love... with Rin Kagami."

"I don't care about our dallying feelings and infatuations! You will uphold the Kagamine family honor and marry—"

"I've been having an affair with her for the past few months."

It was then that Len had heard the audible gasps. Earl Kagamine's face twisted with disgust and disbelief, his ferocious blue eyes glowering at his son. He opened his mouth to speak, but the anger the gripped him and held him in silence. Just then, Duke Hatsune had jumped to his feet.

"Kagamine! What is the meaning of this?"

"I would like to know as well!" Baron Shion interjected, "Does your son intend to destroy our families' history?"

"Do you intend to make my daughter a whore?" Earl Kagami burst, "She is already enough of a disgrace as it is—"

"Don't you dare speak of Rin like that!" Len snapped, nearly spitting at the mouth and tightly clenching his fists, "She is not your possession!"

Len had caught Rin's tender gaze just before feeling the sting of a strike flashes across his cheek. Disoriented, the floor spun for a bit, and just prior before Len could fully recover, another impact struck his body, this time sending him crashing down. His vision still shaken and head spinning, the carpet below him seemed to sway side to side. Then two blurs came into view, something Len could only presume to be feet standing before him. Rin's gasp ripped through the air just before the voice of Len's father had begun to thunder.

"What are you thinking?" He roared, "How dare you make such an embarrassment! In front of my guests, no less!"

Len spat out air when Earl Kagamine had thrust his foot into his stomach. Writhing, Len begun to crawl forward and bend his knees, trying to bring himself up. It was a vain effort however, for his father kicked him again.

"For Heaven's sake, stop it!" Rin screeched.

"Keep silent, whore!" Kaito snatched up Rin's wrist and had begun to twist it.

Hearing Rin's cry of pain was enough to bring Len to his feet. Staggering, he pushed himself toward Kaito, huffing in anger. He didn't care if Kaito took the role of his "friend," every fiber of Len's being wanted to break every finger on the hand that gripped Rin. Faltering as he drew closer, Len raised his arm to strike, only to have his hand caught in mid-air. First, Len stared down at Kaito's widened eyes before turning to his captor.

"You're destroying your birthright, your inheritance! You're defiling the Kagamine family honor!"

"I don't care about my birthright or my inheritance! I don't care for the blasted family honor!"

When Len's bellowing voice silenced, it had taken all other sounds in the room along with it. There was a complete and utter hush that followed. Len breathed deeply, his face red with fury and fright, staring back at his father. Earl Kagamine's lips curled back into a frown before staring off into some other direction. Len followed his gaze to find himself looking upon Kaito, who had risen to his feet. Kaito slowly walked toward Len until he stood right before him, glowering down on him. Len had flinched when the man had risen one hand, thinking he was going to strike, but instead he had used one hand to pull off a glove and threw it to the floor.

"I challenge you to a duel, Len Kagamine." His voice was very slow and quiet, but shaking with intense emotion, "Because unlike you, I will defend my family honor."

It did not surprise Len that Kaito had thrown off the mask of his best friend—most likely for good. And for the first time, he knew he was looking upon Kaito's true face and had heard his true voice. Len briefly glanced at Rin before finding himself locked in Kaito's ever cold stare. Len narrowed his eyes in return, throwing away all the memories of boyhood that they had shared together and facing the truth that had been lurking just beneath the surface.

Not a moment later, Len found himself removing the coat he wore from his shoulders and strapping on a scabbard to his waist. He glanced across the way to catch a glimpse of Kaito, who very roughly did the same. Len found it ironic that they would be dueling in the place where they had usually come for sport. He recalled those days, remembering the feeling of light-heartedness and blithe. But with his father and the other nobles glowering at him with Kaito's ill aura lurking just beyond the way, he noticed the feeling that remained was suffocating. Len couldn't help but notice that Rin seemed to be caged in with the way her father stood next to her, gripping her arm rather tightly. As Len looked at Earl Kagami's face, an urge to tear him came over him. But if he were to win this duel...

"This is your only chance, boy." Earl Kagamine spat the last word with distaste, "I hope you know the gravity of this situation."

"I do know, contrary to your belief, father." Len responded with just as much venom.

That is, he knew that this duel meant whether or not he and Rin would be able to escape their cage.

Just before Len's father could reprimand him for his tone of voice, Kaito called from across the room, "Come forward, Len Kagamine."

Grasping the hilt of his rapier tightly, Len began to put one foot in front of the other, making his way across the floor. In the silent air, the clicks of their boots was the only thing that was audible in that stiff room. Len glanced at Rin once more, studying her expression. Her eyebrows were arched and her lips were parted as if she was about to say something. Len could evidently see the worry in her eyes and that she didn't mean for things to go in this direction. However, only then did Len soften his gaze when he looked on her face. Very soon, he told himself, very soon they would be able to escape this prison—even if it meant throwing his life on the line in this duel. If it meant seeing her smile, Len would face any foe.

"Look at me!"

Kaito had torn Len's gaze away from Rin with his voice, roaring and menacing. Len did jump for a moment, startled from the sudden tear within the silence, but he quickly gained back his composure as he took a deep breath. Kaito was trembling with emotion at this point, shakily drawing his rapier from the scabbard. Len followed suit, keeping his eyes on Kaito. For a long moment, the two were locked in a heated gaze, still and motionless with their rapiers catching the gleam of afternoon light that came through the windows.

Len's heart jumped when he saw a flash of the afternoon light as Kaito came rushing toward him, rapier brandished high. The blade about to fall down on him, Len quickly raised his own sword to block the blow. Kaito's face was now closer to him and he could see every detail of the newly revealed face. It was twisted with anger, contempt, jealousy and every other emotion of animosity. Len sneered at the horrible countenance that he wore, and thrust his body forward to push Kaito back. The blades met immediately after, however, when Kaito threw his sword down on Len once more. From there, a symphony of metal scraping against metal sang throughout the hall.

"Why do you take everything from me?"

Len groaned and shifted to the side, evading Kaito's blow. He then thrust his rapier towards Kaito, taking the offense momentarily. However the sheer force of Kaito's blade put him at a halt.

"What are you talking about?" Len screamed back.

Kaito cried out, pushing Len back then coming at him once more. Violently whipping his head about, he made clash after clash, pushing Len farther back towards the wall.

"You claim more status! You claim more praise! You claim more wealth!" The strikes of his sword seemed to synchronize with his words, the clashes gradually getting louder and more fierce.

Breathing a little harder, Len now found his back against cold stone. Kaito loomed closer, blade against blade, and eyes glowering with incredible, seething hate. With his teeth gritted and wrathful countenance, he hissed under his breath,

"Then you take the woman I loved from me..."

"Rin...?" Len managed to groan out.

"No!" Kaito snapped, shaking, "The woman you were betrothed to... Miku!" Even though Len widened his eyes in response, he found himself not deeply surprised. He felt another twinge of pain as Kaito thrust again, feeling the impact of the wall once more. The two swords rattled against each other as Kaito continued to shake with fury, his eyes flaring with more intensity.

"You haven't the slightest idea how much it pained me every time I saw that the man at Miku's side was you... that the one that was going to take her hand in marriage was you. And even with that, I know that you didn't love her!"

"You're right! I didn't love her! And she didn't love me! So there was no reason to continue on with her!" Len threw Kaito back with all his might, "And I could say the same thing to you. Do you have any idea how agonizing it was seeing the woman of my life being dragged around some half-wit parties and being openly demeaned by you? If you didn't love her, then why didn't you try to find another way?"

"Ah, everything is about you, isn't it, you self-centered imbecile!" Kaito uttered in a mocking way, "I walk the path that's been given to me. I honor my father and my family name. And now you've taken that as well! You've taken my family honor and smeared it by making my fiance into some third-rate whore!"

Something pricked the back of Len's head and he seemed to move with as a reflex. His arm swung, his sword flying through the air, flying toward Kaito. His opponent had drew back just in time, but Kaito felt a sting streak across his cheek.

"You're trapped in your delusion of this pathetic world! Do you intend to be a slave to it forever?"

Kaito traced a finger along the wound that oozed blood on his cheek. Then with his eyes glazing over, he shot a glance at Len and threw himself forward with more force than ever before.

"I'm not like you!" He put a second hand on his sword, thrusting it down even harder, "I won't lose to you!"

Rin's heart pounded faster and faster as she watched the two men in front of her thrash at each other relentlessly. Unlike the men around her, anguish gripped her heart terribly as she saw the man she loved strained his face. Whenever an expression of pain covered his countenance, she fought to hold back a gasp. She wished to cradle his head, soothing him from the affliction he now faced. Her anxieties only worsened however, when she saw that Len was growing more and more exhausted. His thin body breaking, Len was barely holding back against Kaito now. Heavy breaths were passing his lips as he moved, barely dodging Kaito's attacks. Then suddenly—

Rin shrieked, silencing the room.

Len stopped, his breath halting.

Feeling a tightness suddenly take him, Len shakily and slowly looked down at himself to find the tip of Kaito's rapier piercing him. It dug deeper and deeper into the side of his stomach. With each inch that went into him, the more that something lurched up through his throat. A strange shock gripped Len as he began to slowly register what had happened. Another inch went into him and he began to heave something. Then all at once, the blade was relinquished and Len collapsed on the floor, curling up and writhing, gripping his wound.

"LEN!" Rin's voice wailed.

"I don't think that was a fatal wound." Kaito said, slowly smirking, "Shall I finish you off? So-called 'friend.' Then once I'm done with you, I will make sure the 'woman of your life' gets a good lashing and a beating so she knows her proper place."

Len quickly grapsed the fabric of Kaito's clothing with a bloody hand, "No...!"

Blood dripped from his mouth and fell onto the floor, but Len took it no mind as he lifted his head toward Kaito. His eyes desperately pleaded for something, tears forming in their corners.

"You can kill me or do whatever you like. Just... just..." Len heaved for air, "Just spare Rin from a lashing! Don't harm her!"

"And why should I overlook punishment?" Kaito kicked Len's hand away as if a disgusting insect had landed on him.

Len grapsed Kaito again, however, "You can't harm her!"

"And why not?"

Len realized what he was saying at that moment and hesitated, "She's...she's..."

"I'm bearing his child..." Rin interjected, her voice heavily shaking with tears in her eyes, "And we've sworn to protect it."

Several exclaims of disgust were expressed throughout the room, but Kaito merely narrowed his eyes at her. Len looked at Rin, defeated and heavy with pleading eyes. He could see, in the corner of his eye, Earl Kagamine shoot a menacing glare at him and Earl Kagami slightly back away in deep distaste.

"Rin, no..."

"Len... it's all right."

Contrary to her words, Len knew that she was deeply frightened. The tears in her eyes were becoming more and more. Just before she spoke, her bottom lip violently quivered.

"Please, Kaito..." Rin wept, "Please for my sake and my child's sake, don't take Len's life."

"Hold your tongue, woman!" Duke Hatsune spat, "A wretch like that who ruins my household deserves the worst punishment!"

"Wait!" Kaito's voice silenced the room, quenching the heated babbling ringing through the air, "Death is too good for him. If he dies, then he would have lived a life where he had everything and I had nothing."

Len narrowed his eyes in suspicion at Kaito's change of mind, knowing that this was not a change of heart. Breathing heavily and blood streaming down his chin, he struggled to look at Kaito to find an answer in his expression. Kaito thought for a moment, extending the agonizing silence of the room. Then slowly something changed on his face as he bent his knees to kneel in front of Len. Kaito took a fist full of Len's clothing so that they looked at each other eye to eye.

"I want you to live," Kaito began, "Live with the knowledge that I now bear higher status, that the woman you love so dearly is my bride, and that your child that she bears in her womb will become mine."

Kaito relinquished his hand from Len, straightened his knees to stand, and turned toward Baron Shion.

"Father, I will still marry Rin as you have arranged and I ask that she be spared from punishment for the sake of her unborn child." Kaito glanced at Len, "I want this man to suffer."

Baron Shion stared back at Kaito for a moment, narrowing his eyes in deep thought. Then turning his head to Earl Kagami next to him, he said,

"Is this a fitting price?"

Earl Kagami heaved a heavy sigh, glanced at Rin then glared at Len, "Just as Duke Hatsune, I believe that a man like this who ruins my household should deserve the worst punishment. And if this leaves him in ultimate suffering, then so be it."

"Father—" Rin whimpered when Earl Kagami had slapped her across the cheek with the back of his hand.

"You should remain silent like a woman should!"

Before Rin could retaliate, all eyes fell on Earl Kagamine as he walked forward toward Len. Len, still clenching his wound and breathing heavily, coughed something up before he hesitantly looked up at his father. His blue eyes were pleading as he stared up into the familiar gaze that he had grown up with all his life. Earl Kagamine glowered down at his son, briefly remembering the time when those blue eyes would look up to him—pure young, and obedient—a young boy that seemed to aspire for the stars. Yet here he was now—grown, pathetic, and tainted. Earl Kagamine gazed at Len as if he would a distusting insect, furrowing his eyebrows with contempt.

"You're an embarrassment to me and this house," He began, "Len Kagamine, you are hereby stripped of your title as my heir and are forthwith banished from this family. Leave immediately—someone like you doesn't deserve to be my son. Remember that I can take away everything from you just as I had given it."

"No!" Rin rushed forward and fell to Len's side, cradling him in her arms, "You can't do this!"

"You have no say in what happens in my house."

Rin's tears freely flowed now, her eyes puffed up and red, "But he's... he's hurt! He'll die if he stays like this!"

"Rin..." Len whispered.

At the sound of his voice, Rin immediately turned toward Len, sharply inhaling from her sobs and cries. He gazed at her very tenderly, tracing a finger along her cheek. Then his hand moved to the back of her head and he took her lips gently. The tears from Rin's eyes only fell faster as she felt this brief moment of warmth.

But a force had ripped her apart from him and Rin suddenly found herself in Kaito's grasp.

"That is quite enough," Kaito began, "But my lord Kagamine, she does prove a point. If he stays like that, bleeding for who knows how long, he will eventually die and that would take away the point of his punishment."

"Very well," Earl Kagamine replied, "His wounds will be treated, but that is the last service I will grant him."

With that Earl Kagamine nodded off in some direction and some very flustered servants came over to lift the bleeding Len from the floor. Rin struggled in Kaito's arms, trying to break free and take Len once more. But the grasp that held her was too strong. As she watched Len grow weaker and weaker from his gaping wound, being carried away out of the room, Rin continued to weep bitterly. She wiped a small trace of blood from her lips, remembering his kiss and longing for it once more.

The pain in Len's side was excruciating, but he had lost the energy to scream long before. He felt his arms dangle toward the ground, limp and loose as he was being carried away. Once Rin's cries fell upon his ears, something pricked his heart. Len wanted to break free from the servants' grasp and run to her. He longed to take her in his arms and tell her that everything would be all right and that he loved her more than anything. However his body wouldn't move, no matter how much will he possessed. Then little by little after he coughed up some red substance, Len felt himself nodding off into darkness.

A/N: Was that any good? Did this chapter have the impact on you that I hope it did? Anyway, I'd really like your thoughts on this, since I'm curious. So please review! NEXT CHAPTER IS THE LAST CHAPTER. I PROMISE FOR REAL. XD (There's not much else that can happen anyway, so I'm really telling the truth.)