Hello everyone~!

I got a couple of reviews since I updated, and I just want to say that it means the world to me. I didn't write this to get popularity, so even though compared to others I don't get much feedback I am glad that we're all rejoicing over RinxLen!

KAGAMINE WILL DOMINATE~!

I've not been very, eh... Happy recently. So thanks for the support, you guys make me feel a lot better.

PM me if you wanna be friends~

I'm always up for RinxLen roleplaying -wiggles eyebrows-

Sooo, I'll reply to my reviews c:

Synchronocity Girl

I agree, 100%. It's just so sad that these bad things happen in history and today, but hey, that helps us learn from them! ^w^ I'm really glad you're enjoying the story, I promise that I will put as much effort as possible into all future chapters!

Aika Hanami

Oh my Talos, it means so much to me that you left a review. Thank you, it makes me feel so appreciated that me of all people is the one you decide to compliment.

Lalala

Eeeeeep, thanks so much, I'm ecstatic that you like this! I'll try to make my updates longer and finished faster, arigatou!

On to the story~

Rin's POV

"Okay."

Len sat next to me on a fallen tree trunk. We'd set up camp in a small clearing by the river, which, for me, was like a healing process. The sound of running water mixed with the crackling fire like a song, it washed away the tension from Piko's hungry gaze, my mother's ignorant words, the Sheriff's sly smile. Kaito and Gakupo had thought about taking me back to my mother, yet Len pointed out that I might be useful to them. He'd asked if I agreed with the tax rate and I said no. He asked if I had or wanted any allegiance with the Sheriff and I said no again. I told them completely honestly that all I wanted was to end the suffering of the kingdom.

The men hesitated, but Neru wrapped an arm around me and grinned, insisting that I was going to stay.

Pushing away the flashback, I focused my attention on the blonde boy who threw another branch on the growing fire. "How much do you know about the Sheriff?"

"Not much..." I mumbled. "I've only been in the castle a few times. I don't know anything about his personal life." I exhaled deeply, hands shaking. Now I was scared- this information was crucial. The Sheriff would have Len's head if he knew. "But I know that the taxes aren't going to the right people." His eyes widened with interest, so I pressed on. "I've heard my mother talk with the Ladies of the kingdom. I-"

I bit my lip hard. I felt like a coward; normally I would do anything to help end the suffering of these people. Why was I so scared?

Len's arm wrapped around my shoulders and pulled me close to his chest. I went pink as he stroked my hair and I started praying that his sleeping gang wouldn't wake up. I exhaled deeply.

"I've only heard bits and pieces. Prince Leon-" Len's face went sour. I didn't blame him. "Utatane and the Sheriff. The King... An army built around treason."

Len's eyebrows furrowed, putting the pieces together. The King was a stern but fair-willed man, who had recently left the country to fight in the war. His son had taken over, and unlike his father, he was cruel and tainted with greed. Len's sighed shakily as he figured out the truth.

Len's POV

He was building an army. The Sheriff and Prince Leon are forging a mass of mercenaries to take over the country.

Well, I'd like to see them try. I'd watched them knock people down for years and I no longer wanted to see anyone hurt like this.

I looked over at Rin, who had her eyes shut. Her hair was still short, like it was when I last saw her, but a little more grooming and neater trims meant her locks shone and ended at her shoulders. Okay, sure. It was obvious her body hadn't, eh... Developed. She was flat. Everywhere. Definitely not the most Goddess-looking girl I'd mingled with, but none of them could ever have such a cocky and adventurous personality.

It was only up this close that I realised how long her eyelashes were. She was looking back at me now, head tilted, blue eyes curious.

I was gonna like having her around.

She smiled at me and looked at her lap, her fingers were enlaced and her expression was shy. Dammit, she was adorable. "Hey, Rin?" I asked, and she looked at me once more.

"Mhm?"

"Why is it you want to help us? Well..." I hesitated, "Specifically me."

"Len, I don't really understand what you mean." She laughed, a musical and mischievous giggle. "Your beliefs are just. You want to help people. You're not judgemental and you give people courage and faith in themselves." She smirked. "Not to mention the fact that you're painfully handsome."

I snorted and wrapped an arm round her waist, pulling her closer so our hips were touching. "Ah, but I thought I was a player?"

"You are. Don't you think I've heard stories from all the milkmaids and chamber servants, and how a kind and ruggedly handsome teenaged boy brought them food for their families and farewelled them with a kiss?"

I didn't know she knew that. Er... Whoops. "Are you jealous?" I teased, my fingers finding her hair and stroking it gently. She purred softly and her eyes shut- it was obvious she was unexperienced when it came to romantic caresses.

Those damn nobles. They shield their daughters and then marry them to rich men that they've barely even met.

"A little bit." She answered, leaning into my palm after I moved my hand to her cheek. "But I know that at some point you'll abandon your desire to wrap girls around your little finger."

"Hmm." I didn't even realise that our hands were clasped and our foreheads were touching until I feel her soft breaths hit my own lips. Just a another inch... "I think, that," I began, my thumbs circling her palms, "I could be loyal to you."

She laughed again, but this time it was a little more breathless and flustered. "I think you'd be loyal too." To my great distaste, she moved her face away from mine and unlaced our knotted fingers. "But you'll have to earn my trust, first. This is, actually, our first real conversation."

"You tease me..." I grumbled and considered what she said. She was right, except for the occasional flirty comment or joke about eachother, Rin and I hadn't spoken much at all since we first met back in August, and now it was late January. I really should have done more than teased her and then run off again. Rin had shown to be worth more than the naive and hysterical maidens of Sohvington. "Okay, then. Let's get to know eachother a little better. Have you ever played twenty questions?" I wrapped my arms round her waist and lifted her on to my lap. Her face reddened and her eyes went wide; she was so cute.

"I had few childhood friends, Len. So no. But it sounds simple enough." She muttered, resting her head in the crook of my neck. "Question number one, do you have any family?"

I paused. I don't think anyone's ever asked me that before. "My parents were killed by the pestilence about eight years ago. I haven't seen my sister in about five years after she married." Rin's expression softened and her hands massaged my back, easing out the knots in my muscles. I let out an "mmm" and she grinned.

"I'm sorry, the pestilence killed alot of people." She said, and I shrugged. It was merely a disease, it's not like anybody could've stopped it. "Hey, can I ask the second question as well?"

"Sure." I nodded.

"Do you miss them?"

I thought about it. In all honesty, my parents weren't exactly a part of the 'fight for what's right' like I was. They shut themselves in the house, they never stood up for themselves. They wanted a son to help work the farm, so when my sister, Lily, was born, they were outraged. She never received their affection. "No." I said, finally, "They were cowards. They did nothing with their life and they worked me to the bone. They had no need for my sister, so used her as a beating rug to release their 'stress'." I growled, "Stress my ass! They did nothing for us, they treated me like shit if I didn't do as I was expected and they threw my sister out the house when they found out she was engaged!"

Rin's fingers continued to stroke my shoulderblades and I sighed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shout. I don't miss my parents, but I do miss Lily. Now it's my turn to ask a question."

I found out a lot about Rin, probably more than anyone knows about her. Her favourite colour was orange, she'd taught herself to swordfight since she was three. She was seventeen years old, so I was only a year older, she'd never had a real friend before, and her father was was fighting in the war with the King.

I'd revealed a lot to her, too. I told her I'd been an outlaw for three years, that my favourite fruit were bananas, and although I'd had many girlfriends I'd never truly loved anyone before.

"Okay, question nineteen." Rin had gotten quite comfortable on my lap, and was curled up with her head under my chin and her hand on my chest. "Have you ever been dumped before?"

"God, yeah." I chuckled, stroking her hair. "My first girlfriend was probably the most depressing relationship I've ever been in. She fooled around with me for a day or two and then ran off with a man so rich he walked with a staff in his hand. What a prat." I smiled as her beautiful laugh filled my ears and cuddled her closer, enjoying the warmth we shared. "Question twenty- how do you feel about me?"

Her cheeks grew hot and she hid her face with her bangs, grumbling. "You're so... so stupid." I snorted loudly at her comment and she sighed. "It's definitely something that I've never felt, for anyone, before." She whispered, and her eyes shut. I didn't realise she was that tired until her body completely relaxed against mine and her breathing slowed as she slept. I gazed at her face and for the first time in years; I blushed. Very darkly. I was thankful that Rin had fallen asleep so she couldn't see how red I was.

Unfortunately, Neru had been awake the whole time.

She spluttered as I hid my face in Rin's hair with embarassment. "Don't you dare let her go, Len. She's one in a kind."

I listened to her breathing and found myself smiling as I inhaled the floral scent of her hair.

"I know." I murmured.