Chapter 3: Regret Message

"Why do common people throw bottles into the sea Len?" The pretty blonde girl asked as she clung to her brother. "It's so stupid! It's just bad for the ocean!" She looked into his eyes fiercely. Len smiled at her. "Can you keep a secret Rin?" He looked out across the ocean. "Because there's a secret about this ocean, a magic secret." Rin looked at her brother sceptically. "Of course I can keep a secret! What do you take me for, a peasant?"Len looked back at her. "Well there's a legend that if you write your wish on a piece of paper, put it in a bottle and throw it into the sea, then it will come true." Rin let out a high, piercing laugh. "That's just silly! Peasants do such strange things to amuse themselves." Rin looked at the ground. "Anyway, I don't need those silly charms, I already have Len to grant all my wishes." She looked at him. "Right Len? You remember what you said when we were little, right?" Len smiled at his sister.

"Of course I do. We'll be together, always."

And with that, Len drew out the little bottle from his pocket and tossed it into the sea. He smiled at Rin. "Forever."

xx~Regret Message~xx

A tough wind tugged at Rin's hood, revealing her tear-streaked face and messy blonde hair. She sobbed gently, clutching a bottle to her chest, a little piece of paper inside. She stared out at the raging ocean, not bothering to brush away the strands of hair that flew into her face. Despite the thoughts raging around her head, her eyes were blank, and her cloak whipped about her in the steadily rising wind. In an instant it was torn from her small frame, and whirled off into the sky. Rin didn't even blink. She was so distracted by her own thoughs that it took her several minutes to realize how bad the storm was, and that she should take cover. She took a deep breath, and tossed the bottle into the ocean. She then turned and hurried away from the pier, whispering some final words over her shoulder, that were snatched up by the wind and carried away.

"I'm sorry, Len."

xx~Regret Message~xx

Rin shivered as she headed back into the little boarding house that she was staying in. It was only when she had walked in the door when she realized that she had no cloak to hide her face and hair. She hunched her back and tread as softly as she could to get back to her room. After agonizing minutes that felt like hours went by, she safely on her bed, breathing heavily. She was going to need a new cloak the next day. It would be a pain, getting it without someone recognizing her. She was meant to be dead, after all. She didn't even know if she had enough money to buy a new cloak, as well as paying the rent. She couldn't afford to get kicked out again. If she ended up on the streets again, Rin doubted she would ever find a boarding house cheap enough for her to stay in.

She lay on her bed, thinking about what she would do if she was kicked out again. No! I WILL NOT be kicked out. I will find a way to stay here. If the threaten to kick me out I'll get Len to-. She cut off her thoughts. Oh yes, of course. Her eyes began to water again. Len isn't here. Rin buried her head in her scrawny blanket, willing her tears to go away. I need to get over it! I need to be strong so I can survive.

That's what Len would have wanted.

Rin sat up and roughly wiped her tears on her sleeve. She needed sleep. Tomorrow she would have a lot to do, and she needed to be well rested. Hastily, she stripped off her blouse and dress, and changed into a dainty nightgown, one of her few reminders of her past life. She slipped into her bed, closed her eyes, and slipped into a dreamless sleep.

xx~Regret Message~xx

Rin woke up late. "Dammit." She muttered. "I was meant to wake up early." She sulkily got out of bed, and slowly got dressed. She tied a scarf around her hair, in a poor attempt to hide it. She looked in the window. "Tch, it will have to do." She sighed, grabbed her bag, and stuffed a small brown pouch into it. She slung the bag over her shoulder, and quietly exited her room. She walked down the stairs, took a quick look around, and ran out into the busy street.

She slowed to a walk when she reached the market place, and stopped to search for a place to buy a cloak. She kept her head down, and her bag close. Thieves were always looking for a way to get your stuff, and she couldn't risk anyone getting the things in her bag. It was too important to her, and they might figure out who she was. She had to keep her identity completely secret. She gave as little away as possible, and only talked to people when it was necessary. She would keep her identity to herself, if it was the last thing she could do, because that's what Len would have wanted.

Len. Rin felt a pang of sadness echo through her. I guess I'm all alone now. I'm sorry Len. She straightened herself, and continued looking for a cloak. If she didn't have enough money, she might have to steal one, and Rin wasn't looking forward to that. Please let me have enough money. She spotted a small stall with fine cloaks neatly folded on it. She slowly approached the woman sitting in the stall. "Excuse me, but how much would one of these fine cloaks cost?" she asked in her most timid, polite voice. It somewhat pained her to act so submissive. The woman eyed her suspiciously. "Hmph. It'll cost fifty pounds." Rin's eyes widened in anger. "FIFTY POUNDS? THAT'S RIDICULOUS!" The woman glared at her. "Then go away. You don't like my prices, you don't get a cloak." Rin frowned, furious, red rushing into her vision. "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM? I'M PR-"
Rin cut herself off. What was she doing? Did she want to get caught? To get found out? Of course not. She glared at the woman and stalked off. People were watching her. She had caused too much of a commotion.

"Just damn it all to hell." Rin muttered, hastily making her way to a different part of the market. If all cloak owners were that rude, she was going to have to steal a cloak. Rin glanced around slyly. There were more people here. No-one would notice. She quickly walked towards a small table, with slightly less-appealing cloaks than the previous store. She cast a quick glance around, waited until the person manning the table was looking away, and stealthily slipped a cloak under her shirt. She then turn and walked away, as fast as she dared. Rin slipped into an alleyway, breathing heavily. A few seconds later, she heard a short exclamation from down the street. She turned and ran down the alleyway, emerging in a small quiet street. She slowed herself down, forcing herself to act natural. In the distance, she spied a crate of milk bottles sitting on a doorstep. Hastily, she crept forwards and snatched one of them, where it joined the cloak under her shirt.

Rin panted as she ran back to the boarding house, eager to examine her goodies. She smiled when she saw the familiar worn door in the distance, and breathed a sigh of relief as she rushed in the door and up the stairs to her room. Smiling, she looked up at her door, where her breathe stopped dead in her throat.

Her things were sitting in a basket outside, and the door was pegged up.

xx~Regret Message~xx

"Why did you kick me out!" Rin protested as the landlady shoved her out the front door of the boarding house. She glared at Rin. "Your money was late. It was due yesterday. So you're out." Rin's eyes widened in surprise. "Y-yesterday?" She had completely forgotten. How did that happen? Now she was back on the street, and no vow of hers was going to get her back in. Eyes cast at the ground, Rin picked up her basket and slowly trudged away from her former home.

She walked out to the harbour, one of the few places she could now find comfort. "Alone again, huh?" She walked out to the end of a small, worn jetty, and sat down. Gingerly, she withdrew the milk bottle and cloak from under her shirt. She quickly put the cloak on, not bothering to remove her scarf. She opened the bottle of milk, and quickly drank it. From within her bag, she withdrew a small scrap of paper, and an expensive ink pen. She thought for a moment, before writing on the paper in small, neat handwriting.

I wish that I can find a place to live.

Rin paused to think before writing again.

I also wish that I can see Len again.

She rolled up the paper, and gently placed it in the bottle. She watched sadly as it soaked up the remains of the milk. There was no time to dry the bottle this time. She replaced the lid on the bottle and stood up. Closing her eyes, Rin threw the bottle as hard and far as she could into the sea. Tears slid down her face as she opened her eyes. Blinking, she wiped away the tears on the sleeve of her new cloak. "It's time to start afresh." She turned her back on the sea, picked up her basket and slowly began to walk away.

"As of tomorrow, I'm going to be a new person."

Rin walked for a long time, deep into the night. As she approached a large white building, her vision began to blur. The trees ran into each other, and the scenery danced and swam across her vision. Her head began to feel heavy, and she stumbled. Falling next to a large oak tree, where she fell unconscious.

xx~Regret Message~xx

Rin blinked open her eyes as she looked around her surroundings. For a moment, she wondered why she wasn't at the boarding house. Then memories hit her like a tidal wave. Of course. She was kicked out. She sighed, and looked around the still fuzzy, unfamiliar surroundings. She couldn't remember anything past throwing the bottle into the sea. Why was she here? Why was it so... white?

"Oh, you're finally awake."

A soft voice sounded from the other side of the room. Rin looked over to where a pretty girl was standing. She was tall, and had a full figure, but she was still skinny. Her eyes were pure crimson, and the most intriguing was her hair. It was white. Rin eyes the girl suspiciously. What had this girl done to her? "Who are you?" Rin barked. "And why am I here?" The girl smiled at Rin timidly. "My name is Haku. And you are in the church. I found you unconscious outside, and I brought you in here. It seems you fainted from exhaustion and stress." Rin looked at her, surprised. "Y-you brought me back here?" Haku nodded. "Of course! How could I not help you?" Rin blinked, and remembered what she had said yesterday. A new person. Maybe ending up at the church wasn't just a coincidence. Maybe fate had heard her, and this was her opportunity to become a new person. In any case, she had better get to work.

"So, this is the church right?" Haku nodded again. "Yes." Rin smiled. "I need to talk to you about accommodations..."

xx~Regret Message~xx

For the next few weeks, Rin lived at the church. She learnt how to be faithful and loving, and how to be kind to others. She experience things that she never would have expected. She formed a great friendship with Haku. Despite all this, Rin still hadn't yet confessed her sins. She was too scared. She was scared that she would be punished for everything she had done, and that she would never see Len again. That thought scared her the most. Rin kept everything locked up inside, no matter how painful. She was a strong girl. Days passed. Still Rin never confessed anything. She hadn't thrown a wish into the sea since she had arrived at the church, and she seemed to be happy. Inside, she was feeling rather emotionless.

Rin sighed. I can't go on like this. I feel empty, unfulfilled. She got up and walked slowly to the confession box. There was no-one inside. Maybe it's time. Time I admitted what I've done. She took a step back. But what if I get punished? What if my fate is to never see Len again. Rin stood still, fighting her inner battle. I would deserve it though. After all I've done. Maybe if I confess, I'll be forgiven. Rin shook her head and stepped into the box. She looked around and the simple, pretty designs. Flowers and vines twister around her. There's no going back.

"I'm sorry. My name is Princess Rin Kagamine, and I was the ruler of this country until a while ago. I was awful to my people. I killed them mercilessly, and did whatever I wanted to get what I wanted. I was feared, no-one would disobey me. I was a ruthless and terrible dictator." Rin turned to make sure nobody was listening. "I'm sorry. I know I can't be forgiven, but I'm still sorry, and I only realized my sins too late. He's gone, my brother, Len. I was never executed, he was. Len, my poor, beautiful brother. We assumed no-one would notice, because we were twins. And they didn't notice. They didn't. And... I didn't say anything. So now he's dead. And I'm not going to see him again."

Rin realized that she had slowly sank to the floor at some point during her confession. She stood up and ran to her room, tearing a piece of paper from a notepad, and grabbing the pen she always kept on her desk. She felt free, as if a weight had been taken off her chest. She ran into the kitchen, and snatched and empty bottle off the table. She burst out of the church, and continued running, all the way to the jetty.

Rin stopped and panted. Her lips curled into a small smile. She was free. Rin sat down, and without hesitation, wrote on her piece of paper.

Dear Len,

If I am ever reborn, I wish to be with you again.

Love, Rin

Quickly, she rolled it up, and shoved it into the bottle. She stood up, thoughts racing through her mind. I'm free. Len, I'm going to be with you again, one day, I promise. You promised. I've done it. My sins are gone, and I can live now. I can really live. Thank you. Len, I'm really sorry I was so mean to you. I really love you, Len.

And with that, Rin tossed the bottle far out into the dying sunset, and watched it slowly bob away.

"Goodbye, Len."

xx~Regret Message~xx

I'm sorry guys. I know it took me like... 4 months, maybe more to do this. I just wasn't motivated. But it's done, so I hope you like it. I know it's a lot shorter that the others, but I just needed to get it finished. In any case, I will try and write the rest of this, but I don't know how long it will take me. Bye~

I am a robot that runs on reviews. If you want more chapters I need energy. For me, Energy = Reviews. So you know... Rate and Review please! Thankyou peoples!