It's been...about a few weeks since I've updated. Sorry fellow readers. I'll like to thank O124NG3B4N4N4. I started to write this chapter after I read your review. WARNING: I have no idea what the heck I'm writing/typing for this chapter!

The Wolf who fell in Love with Red Riding Hood

Just Marionettes

Once upon a time, there lived a puppeteer. The puppeteer owned two marionettes; one of a girl and one of a boy. The puppeteer was skilled at her work and would usually put on small performances, which would always draw a crowd. She could skilfully control her creations at her will.

The marionettes were created by the puppeteer's own hands so they were extremely closed. Of course, the blossom of friendship can bloom into the rose of love. The girl marionette had taken a liking to her partner but he was not aware of her feelings.

One day, while the marionettes were performing, a small human girl caught the boy marionette's eye. He did everything his master told him, in order to please and impress the small girl. Eventually, he was quite taken with the small girl. The girl marionette was heartbroken.

The puppeteer soon came to realize her marionettes' feelings. With a smirk on her face, she whispered to herself, "Marionettes are just marionettes. They obey the person who controls their strings…" She then lured another small human boy into her performances, "Now, that the stage is set. Let the performance begin! No puppet can break their strings…"

Rin ran through the woods. She had woken up early so she could take a 'walk' through the forest…and hopefully see a certain someone. Her leather boots thumped on the hard ground as she ran and her red hood flapped behind her. When she reached the old tree, the tree where it all began, Rin stopped.

"Len!" she called.

Her voice echoed throughout the forest. There was a rustle behind her in the bushes and out stepped Len. He was grumbling for he had cut his hand on a sharp branch. But when he looked up, there was a smile on his face.

"You called?" he said, "It's rare to see you up and early. What's wrong?"

Rin returned his smile, "Can't I see a friend?" she asked.

Len stared at her, slightly surprised. This was the first time someone had gotten up early just to see him. This new experience felt pleasantly warm.

"Are you referring to me?" he asked, just to be sure.

Rin gave him a funny look, "Silly," she laughed, "Of course. Who else would I be talking about?"

"What about your mother?" Len suddenly remembered how Rin's mother stared at him suspiciously back in the library.

She bit her lip, "Well…I told her I'll be going for a walk," she replied, "…Around the village. So I have to go back soon."

Len nodded, understanding her situation. "I see," he said. He then beckoned to her, "Come on," he urged, "Let's go for a walk then."

Rin looked up at him and beamed, "Sure!"

The two walked, side by side, with smiles on their faces and laughter surrounding them. It felt quite different to the conversations they had when they first met. They didn't hold hands; talking to each other was enough, for both of them.

Zeito was carefully carrying a rectangular object in his arms. A dark red velvet cloth was shrouded over the object. Zeito carried the object as if it was a Porcelain vase in his arms. He laid it down gently on Zatsune's desk. She walked over to it.

"I can't believe I have to use this," she muttered, "If only everyone obeyed their roles, this wouldn't have happened. Forgetting one's role is dangerous…"

She dramatically whipped off the cloth, sending a cloud of dust into the air. It front of them stood an old-fashioned wooden puppet theatre. The theatre had small red curtains and a glossy stage. Zatsune drew a breath and gently blew the thin layer of dust that had settled. She wiped the theatre down until it gleamed.

"Zatsune," called Zeito as he appeared with two small boxes.

"Thank you," nodded Zatsune as she took them.

She opened the first box. There were sleeves in this box, each sleeve containing something that looked like papers. Zatsune selected a certain sleeve and pulled out whatever was inside. It was a picture drawn on cloth. The picture was of a simple wooden hut in the woods. Zatsune fixed it into the back wall of the stage. It served as the background for the stage.

She held her hand out to Zeito, "You can give them to me now," she said.

Zeito nodded and opened the second box. He pulled something out. It had strings connected to it. Zeito then placed it gently in Zatsune's hand. He then hurried over and turned on nearby lamps. The light shone down on the stage. Zatsune held out her hand that was holding the object.

"Showtime," she whispered.

She was holding a puppet by its strings. What's more startling was that the puppet looked, uncanny, like Rei.

Rui stood on the lake's surface. She wasn't dancing this morning, just standing. Her hands clasped together as if she was praying. Her fingers were trembling along with her lip. Rei's expression flashed in her mind; a solemn face and cold eyes. Rui never saw him like that before, the sigh of him like that made her feel frightened. Suddenly a cold breeze blew through the clearing; rustling the reeds and trees. Rui's stomach formed a knot.

Something bad is going to happen…

He could feel it.

It's happening again…

Rei marched through the woods to his hut. His hands were clutched into fists and his pace was quick and stealthy, like one of a soldier. His gold eyes only focused what was ahead of him.

He could feel it.

That sensation… He hadn't felt for a while.

She's taking things into her own hands…

Rei didn't care. He trusted that his mistress will make him impressive to Rin. She was the one pushing him, urging him to do things. He never disobeyed her. She was his mistress after all. She knew the best. He fell for Rin, his orders. But the most important thing that mattered to him was the reward.

"Your jobs are to rip them apart. Do you understand? Do it correctly, you'll be rewarded with your desired 'happy ending'."

A 'happy ending'! That was what he wanted from the very beginning. Ever since when he was little, reading those fairytales, seeing those pictures of princes sweeping their princesses of their feet and riding into the sunset. That was what he wanted.

I allow myself to be controlled. Because the one pulling my strings knows what's best.

Rei arrived at his hut but he didn't go inside. Instead, he rounded to the back where a small shed was tucked away. He walked straight up to the door and opened it. The sunlight shone from behind him, casting a shadow onto an axe.

"Eh?! Neru talked to you?!" cried Rin.

Len placed his finger to his lips, "Lower your voice Rin," he said softly.

"Did she see your ears?! How about your claws?! Did she notice anything suspicious?!" spluttered Rin.

Len tried to calm her down. He knew it would be bad, no; terrible if one of the village residents discover he was part wolf, the creature that they're so terrified and loathed.

"No, she didn't notice anything," he reassured, "It was a misty day so she shouldn't have…"

Rin gave a sigh of relief. She didn't want the villagers to chase Len out, again. Suddenly there was whistling. The two flinched as the sound grew closer and closer.

Len quickly pulled his hood over his ears and shoved his clawed hands into his pockets. The bushes rustled. Len and Rin braced themselves. Out stepped Meiko. She immediately noticed Rin.

"Morning Rinny!" she cheerfully greeted, "Lovely day, aren't it?"

Suddenly Meiko's red eyes drifted to Len, who was slightly shaking. Meiko was carrying her crossbow.

"Who's this?" she asked.

"U-Um Meiko this is Len," Rin nervously replied, "Len, this is Meiko. She takes the role of Snow White."

Snow White carries a crossbow?! Len thought.

Meiko nodded, "Nice to meet cha," she smiled, "So what are you two doing here this early? Having a lover's meeting, or something?"

Both Len's and Rin's faces went bright red.

"I-It's not that!" they cried.

Meiko threw her head back and laughed, "I was only joking! Unless they two thought I was serious? " A sly smile came to her face.

Len's and Rin's faces went flaming red.

Meiko walked over and shook Len on the shoulder. "Take care of her," she said, "If you hurt her…well, you'll have to answer to me."

Len was a bit nervous. Meiko shook him quite hard that his hood started the shake as well. Len prayed his hood would not fall back, for he cannot reach up and secure it. If he did, he'll reveal his claws.

Meiko turned to Rin, "You better get back to the village Rinny," she remarked, "Your ma will worry until she has white hair!"

Rin nodded sadly, "True…," she sighed.

Meiko beckoned to her, "Come," she smiled, "I'll walk with you," She then turned to Len, who had quickly fixed his hood when Meiko's back was turned, "You better hurry to your home, Lenny. These woods can be dangerous."

Lenny?

She then took Rin by the shoulder, "Let's go!" she announced.

Rin turned to back Len. She gave him a sad smile and a small wave then reluctantly followed. Len returned her smile and gave her a small wave.

"Until we meet again…," he whispered.

Rui was in seiza on the lake's surface. (T/N: 'seiza' translate to 'proper sitting'. It's the traditional formal way of sitting in Japan) She could feel the water lapping at the banks of the lake uneasily.

There's tension in the air…

Suddenly she heard something and turned around. Rei was walking quickly part the lake. Rui's eyes lit up and she quickly got to her feet.

"Rei!" she called, furiously waving to catch his attention.

Rei stopped and looked at her direction. When he saw Rui waving at him with a warm smile, he sighed and walked over to her. That was when she saw it. When Rei stepped out of the tree's shades and into the sunlight, she saw it. The shine of invisible strings connected to Rei's joints.

No…It can't be…It can't be happening…

Suddenly the shine of metal caught her eyes as well. Rui's eyes widened. Rei was holding an axe in one hand.

"Why are you holding that?" she asked, not taking her eyes off the weapon.

Rei looked down at his axe then back up to Rui, "I…I have a job to do…," he mumbled.

"You're not planning to hurt them are you?!" cried Rui.

"I'm not planning anything!" Rei snapped.

She lunged forward and tried to prey the weapon out of his hand. "You can't!" she sobbed, "Don't do it!"

"Rui, let go now!" yelled Rei.

"No!" she wailed.

Meanwhile, Zatsune was watching the Rei puppet. The stage's background had changed to a drawing of a large lake. She could feel the vibration on the strings as if something was interfering with her puppet work. She held out her available hand.

"Zeito," she called.

Zeito placed another puppet in Zatsune's hand; one that looked like Rui. Zatsune gripped the Rui puppet's strings tightly. She then violently threw the Rui puppet back.

Back at the lake, Rui felt a great force push against her and she was sent flying through the air. Rui then landed hard onto the lake's surface.

Rei stared in shock. He was about to call out to her if she was alright but he decided to clamp his mouth shut. Rui forced herself to sit up. She rubbed the bruises on her pale skin.

It's happening to me as well…

She blinked back the tears of pain.

"I…I have to go," Rei announced.

"Don't!" Rui cried, "You can't Rei! I know you're not that type of person!"

Rei froze when he heard Rui's last statement. Something clicked in the back of his head. He felt the mistress urging him to leave. Clenching the axe's handle tighter, he turned and left, leaving Rui to sob by herself.

Zatsune let the Rui puppet fall onto the stage.

"I hate having interferences," she hissed.

Zeito walked up to her.

"Are they finished?" she asked.

"Yes, they are," he replied.

In Zeito's hands were two more puppets but ones that looked like Len and Rin.

"I told you don't venture into the forest alone!" Rin's mother scolded.

"I'm sorry Mother," Rin mumbled.

"You could have been attacked again!" Rin's mother was referring to the time when the creature invaded Grandmother's house.

Rin looked down at her feet. Grandmother took the courtesy to not mention the wolf [Len] who had saved Rin from the creature, to avoid her mother from further fretting.

"I only went there to see Len," she replied.

Her mother sharply looked her when Rin mentioned Len's name.

"The boy from the library?" she asked.

Rin nodded.

"Stay away from him!" she snapped.

Rin looked at her in shock, "But Mother!" she cried.

"I don't trust that boy!" her mother said. She then shivered, "His eyes… they somewhat reminds me of that wolf who first attacked you."

Rin froze. She took a deep breath and gathered the courage to defend Len. "He's a nice person!" she objected, "He'll never hurt me!"

Her mother stared at her in disbelief. "…Your father thought that too…," she muttered.

Rin stiffened.

No, that won't happen to me. That'll never happen to me. I will not repeat Father's accident.

"Your father said the same thing…," her mother whispered, "Before he…" she trialled off.

The silence that came after was uncomfortable.

"Get ready for lunch," her mother announced, dropping the subject.

Rin stood there as her mother swept past her. She sniffed and quickly wiped away the tears.

Len isn't like other wolves… He won't… no, no way. What happened to Father will not happen to me.

Len looked up at the sky. The beautiful blue sky was started to be covered by dark grey clouds. The temperature in the air had dropped as well.

"It's going to rain," he softly announced to himself.

Len was sitting underneath the large shady tree where everything had begun. He sniffed the air. Yep, he could smell the dampness around him. It's definitely going to rain.

He got up to his feet to start looking for shelter when suddenly a stab of pain was etched into his heart. Len winced and clutched his chest.

What's going on? What's happening to me?

The pain was like…someone stabbing a needle into his chest.

It's not like the paint I've experience from the steel trap… It's different… almost like…it's taking over me…

Suddenly he straightened up. Only Len didn't will himself to straighten up.

What the…?

Len could feel his legs being placed in front of each other, even though he didn't want to walk. His movements felt rigid and strange. It's like he was… a puppet. Len was no longer in control of his body. He then realized his body was taking him somewhere he did not know of.

Where am I going?

Zeito gnashed his teeth in frustration as moved the Len puppet.

"Are you alright?" Zatsune asked worriedly.

"Yes," he chocked, "Controlling actual humans isn't easy."

Zatsune reached out to him, "If you like I can take over," she offered.

Zeito shook his head, "No," he smiled, "You did half the work. Now, it's my turn to put some effort in."

Zatsune couldn't help but smile lovingly at him.

Rin gazed out of her bedroom window at the sky. Something in her mind told her that something wasn't right. Dark clouds were rolling in and she could feel the moisture in the air.

A shiver travelled up her spine. Rin didn't like this feeling. It was like fear and danger mixed into one. She looked up her drawing of Len. Flashes of lightning lit it up. She then realized it.

Len… Something's happening to Len…

She quickly got up from her desk and hurried over to her cloak hanger. Rin pulled her red hood off and swiftly fixed it around her shoulders. She rushed out of her bedroom door and slipped on her leather boots.

"Rin?" her mother called, "Where are you going?"

"To Len!" she called back.

"What?!"

"Something's not right!" Rin cried as she laced her boots, "I think Len's in trouble!"

"But Rin…!"

"I have to go!" she said and quickly ran out of the front door.

Her mother stared after her, watching the fleeing red colour disappear.

Just like her father…

Len staggered into a clearing that he had never seen before. Drops of sweat trickled down his head. He had been trying to resist this strange and painful sensation. Len's legs carried him to the centre of the clearing. He clutched his chest even tighter. Len's breaths came out quick and shallow.

Finally he collapsed. He panted like a dog that had run a marathon and strands of his blonde hair clung to his damp face. Len couldn't move his body. It felt like it was made of lead.

"What the heck is going on?" he gasped.

"Your life is going to end," answered a voice.

Len looked up. Rei stepped out on the other side of the clearing. A shadow was casted over Rei's face.

"You…!"

Len stiffened. An axe gleamed in Rei's hand. The words flooded into his head.

'A wood cutter burst in…and cut the wolf's stomach open…'

Len struggled to lift his body up. His efforts were in vain.

"What are you doing?!" Len cried.

"Following the role given to me," Rei replied as he drew closer, dragging the axe behind him.

"Why?!" Len shouted, "What good will come to you if you kill me?!"

"Rin," Rei said firmly.

Len stared at him in shock.

"If I got rid of you, I can have Rin!"

Rei finally towered above Len. His hard, steely gold eyes met Len's shocked and fearful azure eyes.

"Prepare to die wolf."

The forest surroundings rushed past her and became blurry. Thunder rumbled above Rin. She sometimes stumbled on twigs and roots. To be honest, Rin didn't know where she was going. She relied on her instincts.

She felt something wet splashed across her cheeks. It had begun to rain. Rin's chest was heaving in and out but she forced herself to press on.

Len! Please, please be okay!

She burst into a clearing and saw Rei standing over a still-alive Len with an axe in his hands.

"Len!" she cried.

Suddenly pain exploded in Rin's chest. She gasped. Her body had suddenly become frozen, as if she had turned into a stone stature. Rin's feet felt as though they're cemented into the ground. She squeezed her eyes close in pain. The pain was like someone stabbing her heart. Her aquamarine eyes widened when she heard Rei spoke.

"It's time to end this."

A cold damp wind blew to Rui and her gold eyes snapped open.

"No!" she cried and scrambled to her feet.

Rui ran across the water's surface as fast as she can.

"Don't Rei!" she screamed, "Don't do it!"

Suddenly she felt the strings of hers pulling her back when she reached the lake's banks. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Don't Rei!" she sobbed, "Please! I beg you!"

Zatsune frowned. She was having difficulty holding back the Rui puppet. In her other hand, the Rei puppet was towering over the fallen Len puppet. Zeito too was having difficulty holding back the Rin puppet. In the Rei's puppets hands was an axe prop.

Through clenched teeth Zatsune whispered, "Now."

Rei swung the axe up into the air.

Len shut his eyes, bracing himself.

"NOOOO!" screamed Rui.

"LEN!" wailed Rin.

Rei brought the axe down.

Thunder cracked the sky and lightning flashed moments afterwards.

Remember my sweet audience, marionettes cannot break their strings. The strings that connect them to their master… The strings that control their fate… But one snap can bring them freedom.

I do apologize if this chapter was short for some. Remember: I have NO IDEA what I was typing. I just let my fingers do the work. To be honest, I don't think this was a good chapter... but it's really up to you readers. Please review, thanks.