-falls to her knees and bows-

I am so sorry everyone that I haven't updated in so long

Gah, I make so much excuses too…

Well, I shall reward your patience with this new chapter! C:

Disclaimer: I don't own La Corda D'oro c:

(BTW! I so love that last chapter of the manga! –squeals- Mwahaha, I knew Kahoko would end up with Len even if he did leave –sniffles-)

Recap:

Len's POV

I was about to offer my hand to her, but I had to hold on to the flashlight and the case. "Stay close."

With that, Kaho and I ventured into what seemed to be a dark abyss. With only our violins and a flashlight to ensure our safety...

Len's POV

It has only been a few minutes, and yet… it felt as if Kaho and I have been walking through this cave for hours…

"Mmm…mmm…mm… mm…" I looked back to see that Kaho had a smiling face on with closed eyes. What in the world…

"Kaho."

She stopped humming and came skipping to my side with an even bigger smile on her face. "Yeah?"

"Mind telling me what you were doing?"

She replied quickly. "Humming."

I raised a brow. "Touche. Okay then, what were you humming?"

Kaho didn't reply as fast as she did the first time. I turned my head to the left to look at her while still maintaining my walking pace. "Kaho?"

She was still walking by my side, but she kept her head bowed down and continued to stare at the floor.

I waited for a response. Nothing. I mentally sighed and looked forward again. Well no use in to forcing her to tell me. I was just curious is all.

"Chiisana Tenohira."

"Hm?" I looked back to see she was blushing with a nervous smile.

"The palm of a tiny hand."

I pondered over this for a moment. "I've heard of that song before… Though I had forgotten where I even heard it."

Kaho smiled at this. "I'm not surprised Len. It's my favorite song~ It's an old song they did for this anime when I was little. ( A/N: So, who could guess what anime it is? ;3 ) Mom would always sing this to me whenever I'm not at ease. For example when I finished watching scary movies, or when there are storms, or even-"

"When you're walking through a dark cave?" I finished for her.

Kahoko's POV

I laughed. "Exactly." I smiled for I wasn't nervous or scared anymore. It's all thanks to Len. He's actually the first person I've ever told this to. We're finally at ease even though we're walking blindly through this cave, and as a bonus, we're even having a 'normal' conversation since this isn't 'violin' related.

"The way you hummed that tune, I think with just enough practice you'll be able to play it on the violin- of course I'll have to, yet again, assist you with it." He smirked in a teasing fashion.

I spoke too soon. I stuck my tongue at him and he shook his head at my childish response. When he focused on the path ahead of him, I secretly smiled. The fact that it's easy for us to have conversations like this… it feels like we were childhood friends.

I resumed humming as we continued to walk in the silence that was no longer uncomfortable.

Len's POV

Chiisana Tenohira. All I know is that it was a song that children loved. Similar to how I heard how children in America love this purple dinosaur's songs. "Kaho? Why exactly do you like that song?"

Kaho looked at me with a confused expression. "Weren't you listening Len? The song makes me happy."

"Yes, but why?"

"I… I guess it has to do with the lyrics and the meaning."

"Meaning?"

"Yes… see, um… Well I'm not really great with words Len, but… um... OH! See there's this phrase in the song that I love."

She cleared her throat and started to hum. Then she began singing. "Chiisana te ni mo itsukara ka bokura oikoshiteku tsuyosa…"

"Even in this tiny hand, there could someday be strength surpassing our own." I translated.

Kaho nodded and smiled at me. "That phrase means a lot to me since… well ever since I…er…lost my ability to play the violin as I used to, I've grown to be hesitant with my playing. But this song and-" She looked at me. "-you have given me some confidence back."

My eyes widened. I hadn't even noticed that she and I had already stopped walking.

"Len?"

She stood in front of me. "You're red! Are you having a fever like the last time?"

I covered my face with my hand. "N-no. Don't be ridiculous Kaho. I'm not as stupid as to go on this mission with you and be a burden. I vowed to protect you did I not?" My words may have sounded like I was mumbling them since I still have my hand over my mouth.

Kaho laughed. "Well how about you Len? What inspires you?"

What… inspires me? Inspiration…

…

My parents.

That would have been my reply without hesitation. But that would be my way of thinking if I had never met Kaho. Don't get me wrong. The reason I played the violin in the first place was because I wanted to impress my father and mother. Now, I play to improve and surpass the others. But ever since Kaho came into my life… I… I found a new inspiration. Her. She inspired me to actually play the violin with my heart and not from the sheets.

"My…my inspiration would be-"

CCHRRRUUUK!

"L-LEN!" She shifted her hold on to her violin case with one hand and grabbed my arm with the other. "T-The ceiling and the walls!"

I looked above me to see so many cracks! What in the world?

"LEN LOOK OUT!" Kaho pushed us forward as a piece of the ceiling came down on the spot we were just in a few seconds ago.

"The ceiling is coming down! We have to pick up the pace if we don't want to be crushed!"

Kaho nodded and tightened her hold on me as we dashed ahead. We didn't know if there would be a dead end or if there was even a way out, but we had to keep moving.

It was only a few seconds since we figured out that the ceiling was coming down on us. It's coming down even faster. Dammit! Our bodies aren't fit to run at a fast pace and for this long!

I used my peripheral vision to take a quick glance at Kaho. She was panting. If we keep going on like this we won't be able to make it!

Kaho's hold on my arm started to weaken. "KAHO! Don't let go. Understand!"

She didn't want to reply since that would mean she would be even more out of breath, but she did give me a strong nod.

Come on! Come on Kami… Please…PLEASE GET US OUT OF HERE!

I closed my eyes and shook my head, as if I was trying to remember a happy place and shaking away the bad thoughts. I opened my eyes to see- "Light…" I could see the light in front of us!

I looked at Kaho to see she was staring at me too, clearly telling me that she sees the light as well. With new confidence we quickened our pace- not caring if the ceiling had done the same.

We were so close… Almost there… Almost…there…YES!

Kahoko's POV

Once Len and I passed through the light, we heard an even louder noise. We turned back to see that the ceiling was already coming down so fast… If we were still in there, we would have died…

I fell to my knees as Len placed his violin case down and bent down a bit to rest his hands on his knees. We were trying to catch our breath. When I got some of my breath back, I lifted my head to see where we are. We were on a cliff… How I knew was due to the scenery. It was because I could see the top of the trees and mountains! I could even see some of the birds! It sounded like they were almost singing… And… some of the trees looked as if they were moving… or should I say swaying slowly?

"We're here. We…we made it Len! We made it…"

"Ongaku no Mori…" I looked up to see that Len had caught his breath and was analyzing our surroundings just like I was. He looked down to me and extended a hand. I smiled and got up to-

CRAACK!

I… I was falling. Len… Len was getting farther and farther away. I was holding on to my violin case with both hands as I screamed out, "LEEEEEENN!"

Len's POV

"KAHOOOO!"

It all happened so fast! I was reaching down to pick her up when suddenly a part of the cliff cracked! Now Kaho was falling down! If I don't get to her she'll take all the impact and she could… she could…

I wasted no more time thinking. I'm going to jump after her! I was about to jump when I noticed something shining.

My violin case also fell. The violin that my father and mother gave me. The violin that I always used to play compositions. Kaho…Violin…

…

Kahoko's POV

I closed my eyes waiting for the impact. I couldn't even see Len anymore since I was falling down so fast… It's all but a blur now. I don't want to die just yet! I never had the chance to say goodbye to my family… my friends… Len… I never even got the chance to express my feelings to him. There were so much things I had wanted to do in my life… now I can't! T-this all happened because of that day when Lili presented me the violin… But… but I don't regret it.

I held my violin case closer to me. It was because of this that I got to experience things that I never thought I would have gone through. Making new friends, Endurance, Patience, finding love for the violin, and even falling in love…

I regret nothing.

Len… Len…

"KAHOKO!"

I opened my eyes to see Len diving after me. He made his body go into a position that made him dive faster to me. In a few seconds he was in front of me.

"Grab onto me!" Len shouted as he hooked one arm around my waist. I couldn't grab onto him though unless I… I let go of my violin. I closed my eyes tight. As I opened my eyes, my hand opened as well, releasing the violin case. I laced both of my arms around Len's neck while I tightened my embrace.

Len's POV

I never knew I'd make it this far. I had Kahoko in my arms once again. But now what! I hadn't had thought this all through. We were falling and unless there's a huge mattress on the forest floor, we'll both die! I looked around and saw that we were inside the forest now. Forest…forest...trees…trees…BRANCHES!

If I hit a branch, it would decrease my speed!

"Hang on tight Kahoko!"

I hugged Kaho tighter and maneuvered us to a trunk with my back hitting it. I wanted to shout in pain, but I couldn't since once my back made impact with a trunk it knocked the breath out of me. We were still falling but not as fast as before. We kept hitting the branches just as I had predicted, but I made sure to always put Kaho in front of me so she would not be the one getting hurt.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

It felt as if we were never ever going to stop falling. I closed my eyes and continued to hold on to Kaho. As long as she's safe, I don't mind the pain.

…

…

…

…

Thud!

It…it finally stopped. We stopped falling and…Kaho's safe…

Kahoko's POV

My eyes fluttered open after the wind ceased and I felt as if I were finally on the ground. But… I didn't feel anything. Well that's not entirely true. I do feel something, but I didn't expect it to be a soft landi- LEN!

Len was under me with his arms still around me. "Len? Len!" I gently slapped his cheek a few times. He's out cold. Oh no. No, no.

I managed to free myself from Len and kneel by him. His outfit was torn, but the top was just completely outrageous. It looked as if he was just done being mangled by a beast!

I turned him over to see if any damage was done to his back. I wasn't surprised to see the shirt was in worst condition, but it surprised me to see that there were cuts. They weren't deep as far as I know. If they were, he would have been bleeding…

I stood up and looked around for something that can be used as a bandage to wrap around Len's torso for now. No… nothing. Just trees… I looked down at myself to see if I had any cuts at all. No I was just fine… But if Len stays like this without proper treatment, the cuts may worsen…

I took off my jacket and grabbed a nearby branch and broke it off. Then I used it to cut my jacket into pieces so that the remaining pieces can be used as a bandage.

Once that was finished I began looking around once more. I don't have a clue on what I was supposed to be looking for. Looking for shelter would be a waste of time since it would just be like waiting for Len's wounds to worsen. I feel so hopeless…

I saw a tear drop on Len's cheek. Was it raining or from me? I rubbed my eye and laughed sadly. Yep it was from me…

I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, preventing the unshed tears to break through. This was no time to think in a pessimistic way when Len was in this condition.

"Well now, why the tears miss?"

I turned around at the sound of that unknown voice.

I didn't see anyone though. Was I just hearing things?"

"Tsk. Tsk. Haven't your parents taught you that it's not polite to ignore a question when it's directed to you?"

There it was again. "W-where are you?"

"Behind you."

I slowly turned around to see a face. That's not what scared me though. There was a face… forming on a tree. I managed to stifle a surprised gasp.

"Who…w-who are you?" I had wanted to ask "'What' were you," though that may be rude.

"I am Ian, and you are a very lucky miss."

"You can call me Kahoko. Do tell how in the world you think I'm lucky when Len is unconscious?

"Who's Len?"

"He's just my… my… friend."

Ian looked at me with a confused expression with one eye brow raised up. "Mhm…"

"Can you… can you help him?"

Ian laughed. "How can I? I am but a tree Miss Kahoko." I frowned. "It's alright. Thank you very mu-"

"But I can help the both of you by leading you to where the sage is. He should be able to help you~ Although… first you would have to solve my riddle! No one has ever solved it, which is why no one has ever made it to the sage and has come back alive."

"A riddle?" I never was smart… though…

I looked back at Len's unconscious body. I must try for Len.

"I accept Ian, tell me the riddle."

"Perfect! Now, your time limit to this riddle is ten minutes. Are you ready Miss?" I nodded. "Good, here it is."

"My voice is tender, my waist is slender and I'm often invited to play. Yet wherever I go I must take my _ or else I have nothing to say. What am I?"

"Fill in the blank and solve the riddle~! Then if you succeed, I shall give you instructions on how to reach the sage of the forest. You have ten minutes Miss."

Ian's face disappeared from the trunk of the tree, though I'm guessing he'll be back once my time limit ends. I paced for a few minutes thinking about the riddle. 'I'm often invited to play.' This would mean it's an instrument. Another proof of that assumption would be at the end of the question when it asked 'What' instead of 'Who.' Okay… so it's an instrument. Now how to figure out what instrument it could be. Maybe the missing word could help me. Alright, the riddle rhymes so… I just have to find a word that rhymes with… 'go.'

Wherever I go, I must take my… blank… or else I have nothing to say. Meaning without this, the instrument would be useless since it cannot be played without it. Wherever I go, I must take my… my…bow…BOW! Wherever I go, I must take my bow! Bow is the missing word! Meaning…

Ian's face reappeared on the tree as I came to my conclusion. "Judging by your expression, you think you have your answer don't you?"

"I just don't think, I do know for a fact that I have the answer Ian." I replied with a proud smile.

Ian smiled back and recited the riddle once more.

"My voice is tender, my waist is slender and I'm often invited to play. Yet wherever I go I must take my-" "Bow." I filled in the blank for him. "Or else I have nothing to say. What am I?"

I smiled. "A violin. It plays tender music and it's the exact same figure that was described in the riddle. And you need a bow to play it or else it cannot play at all- therefore having nothing to say."

Ian just continued to stare at me as I did the same. I couldn't take the suspense any longer.

"D-did I get it right?"

Ian gave me a response that didn't exactly give me much confidence in my answer since he was laughing.

"Hahaha. Ah~ I am not laughing at you Miss Kahoko. No one has ever solved such a simple riddle before since they all had such ill intentions. But I can see you and your lover are both genuine lovers of music."

I blushed. "Ah, we're not a couple! Um… we're actually just friends! He's my teacher for playing the violin."

Ian made a 'tsk, tsk.' sound. "Who are you trying to convince of that lie Miss Kahoko?" To this I didn't reply at all since I didn't know the answer to that… So I changed the subject. "S-so about those directions to the sage. You promised to lead me to him once I solve your riddle. It's your turn to keep your end of the deal."

"But I already did."

"Pardon?" Ian started laughing once more. "What are you laughing at Ian?"

"I'm laughing at your obliviousness Miss Kahoko."

"I am not oblivious! What does that have to do with me wanting to find the sage?"

"It has everything to do with that since you already found the sage without even knowing it." Ian smiled.

…

Wait a minute…

"Wait… you're the sage?"

All of a sudden there was a bright light coming from the tree. I had to shield my eyes with the use of my arm. When the light disappeared I looked back at the tree that was no longer there. And in its place was an old man with long silver hair. He was wearing a grey cloak with a white robe. All in all, he looked as if he was a mythical character that resided in the heavens.

"Forgive me for not introducing myself properly Kahoko. My name is Ian Wesley. I am the sage of the Ongaku no Mori forest. Before anything else, I must apologize. It is because of me that you and Len had to go through such a hard time getting to your destination. I was aware that there were two newcomers trying to find me today. I had thought that you two were just like everyone else that had tried to come here. So I tried to trap you in that cave, but the two of you managed to get out just in time… Then once I saw that, I tried breaking off the cliff, but once again you two survived… even if it meant that the both of you would lose your violins, you hung onto each other so you could still be alive… That's when I decided I should show myself since I needed to see for myself if you had horrible intentions or not. Forgive me…"

…

…

"I forgive you."

Ian looked at me with a shocked expression. "How can you ever forgive me that fast?"

"It wasn't your fault. You were just trying to protect this forest and its powers right? I don't blame you at all in the slightest. If I was in your position, I would have probably done the same thing to protect what I love."

Ian laughed once more, but gentler. "Thank you for understanding… Now, we need to first awaken and heal your friend before we get to your wish. "

Ian knelt by Len's side and placed his hand on his forehead. He closed his eyes and in a few minutes, his hand started to glow. Once it finished glowing, he removed his hand and I dashed to Len's side. "Len? Len? Len!"

My heart started to flutter as soon as I saw Len's eyes open a bit. "K…Kaho…Kahoko? Are… are you alright?" I smiled sadly. "Yes… I am. Don't worry about me Len… I should be asking you that question since… you protected me from the fall and took all the damage…"

"I don't feel anything anymore though… It's as if all the pain was lifted away from me…"

Ian laughed. "That was what I was trying to do."

Len sat up with my help and stared at Ian. "Who… who are you?"

Ian raised a brow. "Hm. What a way to talk to your savior… and also the sage."

Len's eyes widened a bit as he looked at Ian and back at me. "H-how? How did you manage to find the sage?"

I rubbed the back of my head. "Actually, it was him, who found me. See-"

Ian clapped his hands. "Now, now. You can always retell that part of the story to him later. Don't the two of you have some unfinished business with me?"

Len and I looked at each other with determined faces then back Ian. "We need you to help us with a problem concerning Afikumi Kingdom. It's urgent."

Phew. It feels great to be able to update this story c:

I'm so happy so much people are taking interest to it ^^

Do review, and feel free to give me opinions/suggestions : D