Heyy guys c:
Thinking of changing my pen-name to something more anime related. So be on the lookout for a change!
First of all THANK YOU SO MUCH for the reviews! It made me feel warm and fluffeh ;w;. Many thanks to Rin Owen, Chibisensei110787, HikariKanata and hatelife for being the first to give me their opinion ^^~
Oh- and I edited the first chapter. I realized I had so many spelling mistakes I wanted to cry QnQ. Sorry, guys!
Disclaimer: I don't own Vocaloid, sadly TT^TT.
The crisp, white frost lay in a blanket over the country fields, freezing the ground to rock-hard clumps that hurt farmers' feet when they walked on them. I watched them from the garden wall; the frown I commonly had etched on my face. I wondered how they managed to feed their families, to get enough money to pay the taxes. I sighed, a fog-like mist escaping from my mouth. When I was younger, this used to amuse me greatly, and I'd leap around, puffing out huge gasps- pretending my breath against the cold air was the smoke of a dragon's fire.
My fingers found my hair, and I absent-mindedly smoothed at the blonde strands. It's been five months since August, the time the Sheriff's son cut off my hair. Punishment, they called it, for mingling with the poor.
Pathetic.
For some reason, after that I didn't want to let it grow again. It seemed more like me, and less like a good little girl brought up by stubborn and prejudice folk. A sign I didn't care of their opinions, because my hair wasn't long and "pretty". It shows I lost my long hair for doing a good deed, and it should be displayed as a trophy rather than a disgrace.
"You're a very... different girl, aren't you?"
"Nobody likes that about me."
"Nah,"
His voice reached my mind before I could return to my dreams of battling for equality; causing my cheeks, which were already pink from the cold, to redden more.
"Normal's boring."
I secretly smiled, pulling my pale silk scarf over my face. It was only to myself that I admitted the mischievous blonde boy was part of the reason I kept my hair short.
Tugging my cloak round my shoulders, I turned on my heel to return to the warmth of the house. When I turned the doorknob, I found that everybody seemed to be rushing, cleaning this, cleaning that, scrubbing the floors, washing the windows, dusting the mantel and polishing the tables. My eyebrows shot up, surprised and disturbed by this corruption.
"Everything looks fine." I called out to the butler, who was trying to calm the shrieking maids who desperately flung their cloths and brushes at even the smallest specks of dirt. He gave me a tired look, jumping as one of the cooks bumped into him, carrying a huge roasted boar.
"Your mother wants everything spotless." He explained, making me roll my eyes. There is definately something wrong with her. "The sheriff's son is coming to dine with us."
I choked on nothing but air, keeling over and coughing. "Th-the sheriff's son?" I stuttered out, remembering his cold, different coloured eyes. My arms went round my shoulders protectively, giving myself a little comfort. "Why?"
"He asked for you." He said, rubbing his forehead with two fingers. "Your mother thinks it's best."
"Oh, mother this, mother that..." I huffed, swiftly marching up the stairs to my bed chambers. I flung open the door; face red with irritation as I slumped down on my goose feather quilt. I sighed loudly, releasing the clips from my fringe, brushing my bangs over my eyes like a blindfold. I no longer wanted to see the stupidity of this world. After a few minutes, I felt my mind completely clear and a smile lit my face. It didn't last long, sadly.
"Rin!" Her banshee screech snapped me out of my thoughts just as I began to enjoy them. I buried my face in my pillow, trying to block out my mother's voice. "Best dress today! And you will be wearing a corset, too!"
"Why don't you just drag me behind a chariot..." I muttered to myself, slipping out of bed and opening my wardrobe. Picking a long, deep green dress, I lifted it over my head and pulled it over my torso; making sure my sleeves covered the entire span of my arms. Showing skin around people I didn't know well was something I hated doing.
This was by far one of my favourite dresses. The sash around my waist gave the illusion I was wearing a corset, even though I wasn't. It was soft, light, and basic. Pulling on some black gloves, I proceeded out of my chambers to the ground floor. When I arrived, the sheriff's son was already there- my mother rambling on about family history and what an honour it was to have his company. Rolling my eyes behind her back, I held my arms in front of me and lightly cleared my throat.
They both looked at me, and the sheriff's son smiled. "Utatane Piko." He said, taking my hand and kissing it. I forced myself not to grimace, and smiled politely.
"It's nice to make your acquaintance."
Mother seemed satisfied with my response and ushered us to the dinner table. The cloth lain on it was a fine, deep blue velvet, decorated with silver plates, goblets and candles. I took a seat at the side in one if the dark wooden chairs, laying my hands on my lap. As we ate the pork, boiled vegetables and seeded bread with quality cheese, I noticed the sounds of footsteps; they tapped outside quickly and out of beat, as if they were echoing one another. It sounded like a group of people were running around outside. My mother didn't seem to notice- she just talked to Utatane, giggling like a love-struck teenager. I mentally snorted at her idiotic behaviour.
The door slammed opened suddenly and several people ran in, feet thumping against the varnished wooden floor. A girl with long, golden hair and legs almost as extensive swung her blade at me; however natural instinct and years of self-training motivated me to slide out of my chair and duck. Her sword slammed into the leather back of my seat, splitting it with a vicious ripping sound. Amber eyes locked into my own blue ones, and once again she raised her weapon.
Piko moved in front of me, his own war axe held out towards the rogue. I scowled. "I can handle myself."
Surprised, he turned round and glanced at me. Holding my glare into his bright, blue and green eyes, I didn't notice we had more company until another sword swung at Piko's head. He darted away and whirled around to face the handsome boy I'd met after my punishment. His hair had somewhat darkened in the Winter weather, but his eyes remained the same forget-me-not blue. He seemed to have some sort of gang- two boys stood by each door, one with dark blue hair and a long, white coat, the other in what looked like traditional japanese clothing and long, lilac hair. Both were equally tall, attractive, and very aggressive. Another younger male stood in the corner, twirling a dagger in fancy styles around his hands: a few of his fingers were bandaged, meaning he had probably been unsuccessfully practising this act earlier. He wore a black patch over his eye, and my thoughts twisted into wondering whether he was blind, or had entirely lost it. My mother was shrieking, blonde ringlets flying around her head that was powdered a blinding shade of white to cover up the dark red spots she has from trying out absurd beauty products. Piko's eyes darkened.
"You." He snarled, slashing his axe towards the mischievous blonde boy. He dodged with somewhat ease, spinning his sword in his hand.
"Your timing's terrible." He sang with a smirk. "You get your lousiness from your father, Utatane."
A roar escaped the Sheriff's son's lips and he made a deadly jab at his opponent, who blocked his weapon with his own.
"I wonder..." The blue eyes of the blonde boy sparkled. "Is this another one of your selfish little friends' house? Now how much wealth could be hidden here...?" He kicked Piko away and swiftly pulled off the bow strapped to his back, drawing an arrow. "Enough to feed several poor families for the whole Winter, perhaps?"
I couldn't help but turn a little pink at his comment. Handsome,skilled and generous? What is he, a fallen Angel?
Cursing at myself for becoming so love-stricken, I quickly thought back to the matter at hand. These people were robbing my house to give food to the poor.
And I was going to help them.
Slowly, I tapped the arm of the gold-haired girl who attacked me earlier. She hissed and tried to skid away from me, but I pressed my key into her hand. It unlocks a chest in my room, where I keep my useless gold and silver pieces. "Take everything." I muttered quietly, while Piko still had his eyes away. She glanced at me, then the key in her palm. A tiny smile spread on her face, and as she turned to tiptoe up the stairs her hand brushed against my arm in thanks.
I watched Piko dual the boy for a few minutes, and as the blonde boy was winning, I watched his fighting techniques. He didn't lash out blindly like Utatane did; he'd dodge, duck and defend, blocking this and that- and when he rarely struck the Sherrif's son, he'd hit him with the side of his sword. It seemed this young man had no intention of killing him.
He knocked Piko down and was suddenly at my feet, hoisting me over his shoulder. My eyes widened as he carried me up the stairs, his gang at toe; laughing at the shrieks of my mother and the roars of Piko. "What are you doing?" I breathed, yet there was relief in my tone.
"That's what I do, isn't it?" He grinned. "Steal from the rich and give to the poor- and rescue damsels in distress."
I smirked, jumping off him and putting my hands on my hips. "Thanks, but this damsel can rescue herself." Forcing the door open, I gave him an ironic bow. "After you."
"Y'know, you look great out in the forest."
I blushed at the blonde boy's comment as we walked through a clearing of trees and sunlight. But I wasn't going to kid myself.
"Do you say that to all the girls you bring out here?"
"Oh, she's good." The tall, older teenager with blue hair laughed loudly, and I turned to face them.
"I need to catch the names of all you outlaws."
"How charming." The girl smirked.
"Hey, I didn't say there was a problem with you being outlaws." I smiled teasingly. "I'm Rin."
"Gakupo." A man in his early twenties waved and pushed his lilac hair from his face. "That's Oliver, he's the youngest here. And the most annoying."
"Hey-!" Oliver hit him with the back of his dagger and grumbled.
"I'm Kaito." Said the blue-eyed man with a grin.
"And I'm Neru." Neru wrapped an arm round my shoulders and squeezed them. "We'll get along great~" she sang, then pointed at the blonde boy. "Of course, you know Len."
Len.
Ahhh, my heart's melting again.
Gulping down a shy stutter, I smiled.
"It's nice to meet you all."