Chapter 9: The Return
Hi~ Last official chapter guys! Well, not really, since there's an epilogue.
FLUFFY CHAPTER FOR THE WIN!
Sorry guys. I could have posted earlier but I wanted the reviews to show before I did.
THE REVIEWS ARE BACK LET ME CRY WITH JOY!
Speaking of which, review time:
Anisademongirl (ch 7&8): I'm back! To answer your question about Kaze and Kusa, those are the English translations for wind and grass. And yep~ Make out session but I couldn't find a place to put it in all that action (it would damage the depressing mood) so I didn't write it…
Rikasa (7): Ah ha, right? RIN, GO BEAT THEM- Ahem, never mind~
Stu . Dying (2, 7): First off, sorry for typing your name wrong, doc manager is being stupid and keeps deleting it if I type otherwise. Thank you~ To be honest, when I'm writing it, I'm imagining it as an anime and just writing what I see XD. Thank you for the advice, I'll try and do it. And aww, thanks so much~
Guest (7): Ha ha, I get where you are coming from but shouldn't you murder my body before my soul? LOGIC!
Magical Witch Auri (6, 7, 8): Aww, don't cry~ *hands you tissues*. Well, I did hope that I got some emotion across. No problem, Ashuri was great! (Sorry she died) Don't worry, I'm a ghost too, died a looonnnng time ago… Why am I here again? Oh right, I have to post a chapter for those people who threaten to murder me if I don't *cough* Guest *cough*.
I replied to these at six in the morning… Uhh, I'M LATE FOR SCHOOL!
Ugh, winter break is over. *cries*
Rin: There, there...
Len: *sweatdrop*
Rin: Hey, come to think of it, have you seen the road roller, Len?
Len: Now that you mention it…
Me: *zooms away* Ah ha ha Enjoy~
…
"Teto." Anna called from inside the orphanage. Her real name was actually Sweet Ann, but she insisted that she liked Anna better.
"Yes?" Teto poked her head out from behind the crowd of children. It had been busy ever since the Draft since almost all the staff had left. Rui, Rin's friend, had joined though, but the kids kept the three of them on their toes.
"I heard that there was some news in the city. Would you mind checking for me?"
"I'll go, too!" Rui piped up.
"Thanks, Rui. I think I can take care of the kids for a while."
…
The orphanage was a bit secluded from the rest of Magia. Until they turn seven, kids that were from the orphanage often had never been to any of the cities. Only a couple whose parents did decide to stay had.
The Royal City was especially crowded today. Everyone seemed to be out on the streets. Rui and Teto exchanged a glance. "Well." Rui shrugged. "Guess we should ask around."
"The people at the Exploration Center might know best." Teto suggested, bemused.
Slowly, they made their way through the crowd to the Exploration Center. Unfortunately, it was crowded around there the most. Something important seemed to be occurring inside.
"WHAT'S HAPPENING?!" Rui screamed over the crowd. She was right next to Teto, grasping on her arm, but Teto could barely hear her.
Suddenly the door banged open. The crowd made a little space for Yukari Yuzuki, the Witch of Healing, to step out. "EVERYONE!" She chided loudly. She was usually soft spoken unless it has to do with medical reasons. "If you continue with this noise, the scout won't nearly get enough rest!"
"Scout?" Teto whispered in Rui's ear as the crowd quieted. Rui simply shrugged in confusion.
"Who was it?!" A voice asked from the front of the crowd.
"The scout from the Drafted?" Yukari asked in confirmation. The two shared a gasp of shock as nods rippled through the crowd. Ever since a servant had reported what occurred to the Drafted and Princess, the whole nation was in turmoil. This was the first word they had from them after almost a year. "The Witch of Snow. I'm not authorized to give out her identity-"
"I-it's fine." A clear voice drifted through the doorway. The whole crowd roared to life again as a heavily bruised and scarred woman hobbled out of the door. Her white hair was held in a ribbon at the nape of her neck. "I'm-"
Teto trembled. Rui let out a breath of surprise as she dragged her to the front. She tackled the woman, Yukari not fast enough to stop her. "HAKU!" She sobbed, leaping onto the woman, tears of relief streaming down her face.
"Oof!" Haku groaned in pain before staring up at her. "T-teto?"
"Y-you're alive, you're alive!" Teto blabbed incoherently.
"Um… Miss Teto, right?" Teto raised her head to gaze into Yukari's kind violet eyes. "I'd appreciate it if you did not break my patient, even if you are her friend."
"Oh!" Teto immediately leapt to her feet, helping Haku up. "Can we speak inside?"
"Of course." Yukari nodded and Teto dragged both Haku and Rui inside with her, leaving the shouts of the crowd behind.
"HAKU! Spill!" Teto demanded, once they were seated. "Oh, first. Introductions. Haku, this is Rui, a friend of Rin's. Rui, this is Haku, one of the former orphanage staff."
"Is Rin alright?" Rui asked frantically.
"Rin? Oh, she's fine. She's the leader now, she sent me on ahead to report to the city that they were coming." Haku, normally shy, seemed comfortable in the presence of her friends.
"Rin's leader?!" Teto and Rui both exclaimed.
"Uh huh." Haku nodded.
"What did she do?" Teto asked amazed.
"I'm amazed that you two are so eager about this. It was life threatening, you know."
"Well?" Rui asked impatiently.
"She's the Earth Elemental, so she became leader after Princess Miku passed." Haku replied almost nonchalantly as both Teto and Rui gaped.
"Rin is an Elemental?!"
"Princess Miku is dead?!"
"Yes. Yes." Haku murmured quietly.
"Who else is dead?" Teto asked somberly.
"Gumi. She's gone." Haku choked through tears. "Along with half of the other three hundred Drafted."
"Gumi?!" Teto sat back, stunned.
"Luka's the Time Goddess." Haku spoke inconsistently. "I'm the Snow Witch. Neru is Lightning-"
"Let's talk about better stuff!" Rui tried to cheer them up. "Any relationships?"
Haku nodded slightly. "I'm dating Kiyoteru. Luka is still single. Rin is probably going to end up pregnant sometime soon-"
"WHAT?!" Teto rejoined the conversation.
"She and Len should stop eating each other's faces." Haku grumbled, a little more cheerful. "Len's her warlock, by the way."
Rui looked like she was planning his death (whoever he was XD).
"Neru?" Teto questioned.
"Oh, she's dating R- Oh! By the way, Rui, Rei looks just like you and he told us he is a rare male hybrid and had a twin sister named Rui." Haku bluntly informed.
Rui distinctly remembered a dream of when she was a child, playing with her mirror image. Could that have been a memory, not a dream…?
Oh.
…
After speaking with Haku for almost an hour, renewed shouting from outside interrupted Haku just as she began to explain the Angel and Demon battle. Teto and Rui didn't pay much of a mind to it, but Haku stood up. "That should be them."
"Really?!" That caught their attention. The other two leapt to their feet and raced outside, Teto supporting Haku.
The main gates were open and guards were stationed in a semi-circle, on the lookout. The witches crowded around trying to peer into the darkness.
Two shadows emerged from the trees, the taller one supporting the smaller one. Both had bedraggled blond hair, but their sapphire eyes were bright with relief. Rui and Teto's eyes widened. "Rin!"
Then, behind them, came the rest of the Drafted. All of them were scarred in some way, humans, warlocks, and witches alike. Most were limping. Some looked half dead. But like the leaders, their faces all shone with relief.
"Step aside." A voice boomed from the back of the crowd. It parted to reveal King Mikuo and Queen Lily, in all their glory. They returned to reign in the absence of Princess Miku during the Draft.
"Len!" Lily gasped in a motherly fashion as she glomped him. He let out a gasp of slight pain. "M-mother. I-injuries." He choked in her death grip.
Mikuo, relieved, politely looked over the other Drafted. "You are free to do as you like. We will publicly welcome you back later. Now, we would like to speak to the leader privately. Where's Miku?" He looked around for his daughter.
Silence.
"Your Majesty." Rin limped forward, trying to kneel. Luka rushed forward to support her. "I am sorry, Your Majesty, but I am the current leader. Princess Miku is dead."
The crowd fell silent in shock. Lily covered her mouth and fainted; Len barely managed to catch her in time.
"W-what?" Mikuo choked.
"She was very loved." Rin spoke softly. "I, Rin, as the Earth Elemental, am now the leader of the Drafted in her absence. We present her body. Your Majesty." Luka helped her hobble aside, and four witches came forth, solemnly carrying a wooden stretcher where a body lay, covered delicately by a white sheet.
Mikuo stared. A tear trailed down his cheek. "She deserves a proper funeral."
"Indeed, Your Majesty." Rin replied.
Mikuo, remembering that he was in a public area, immediately placed on a formal facade. "Rin. Earth Elemental, yes?"
"Yes."
"Will you join us to discuss this event?"
"Of course."
Everyone was still politely watching the spectacle. Mikuo made a shooing motion before ordering one of the servants to take care of Miku's body. The crowd dispersed as the Drafted joined to mingle the crowd, most heading to the Exploration Center, where Yukari had set up a temporary medical care. As she left, Rin saw Rei reuniting with Rui, both of them staring at each other in shock and Neru giggling at their expressions.
…
"So." Rin trembled nervously under King Mikuo's scrutinizing gaze. They were sitting in one of the rooms of the Royal Palace. Len sat nearby with his mother, watching them anxiously as she began to stir. "Will you tell me how my daughter died?"
"Do you know of the Angels and the Demons, Your Majesty?" Rin asked hesitantly. To her surprise, he nodded. She continued. "The Demons slaughtered ⅓ of our forces. Without resistance. When the Princess heard this from the Angels, we got mixed up in their war. They summoned their Commander, and ours was part of our group. The Commander had no choice but to fight." She left out Ashuri's grudge, wanting the little girl to be honored. "The Demons managed to kill her because her Elemental Spirit turned against her. Kaze and Miku-chan, ah, never liked each other very well."
"Miku-chan?" Mikuo questioned the informality.
"I suppose that you are her friend." The three that were too engulfed in the conversation jumped in surprise as Lily spoke. Her eyes were bloodshot, but she was awake.
"Y-yes, Your Majesty." Rin stammered. Lily's eyes softened. However, her gaze seemed dark, almost guilty. "What is your name, child?"
"I am Rin. The Earth Elemental."
"How old are you?"
"I am seventeen like your son, Your Majesty." Rin wondered why she was asking.
"Do you know anyone your age with the same name?"
"I am pretty sure that there is not, Your Majesty." Rin was seriously confused.
"Rin, stop speaking so formally." Len muttered. All three glanced at him in surprise. "What?" He shrugged. "It's annoying."
"Why do you speak to her so informally?" Mikuo asked suspiciously. Rin shot Len a furious glare. Now they were busted.
Len simply shrugged again. "Do you see the scars on her arms?"
His adoptive parents examined her. The attention scared her, but Len gave her a reassuring look.
"Those are-!" Lily gasped. She rolled up the sleeves of her gown, revealing similar marks. "Contract scars!" It clicked within her mind. "You two-! Are you-?"
"Yes." Rin sighed, almost exasperated. "Len and I are contracted."
"I approve!" Lily beamed, carefree.
"Wha-?!" Mikuo stared at his wife, agape. "Lily, we barely know the girl!"
"Do you have no trust in Len?" Lily retorted. Len groaned in embarrassment.
"Dad-"
"Fine. Just don't come to me when the girl gets pregnant too fast."
Rin's ears burned. Len gaped. "DAD!"
There was an awkward silence before Rin coughed slightly into her fist. "Well… forgive me for asking, but, um. What will happen to the monarchy of this country?"
"Now that's worrisome." Mikuo leaned back in his chair. "Lily didn't have any other heirs but Miku. Of course, we could always put you two on the throne. Len's our adopted son after all-"
"By the way, I've decided to change my name back to Kagamine." Len interrupted abruptly. Mikuo stared at him. "I-ah. Well, Lenka is an Angel and I don't think she would be too happy losing the only family that she had left." Len lied smoothly.
"I see." Mikuo replied softly.
There was a stumped silence.
Lily then coughed. It was similar to Rin's previous action. "Well… I'm sorry that I didn't tell you Mikuo, but I do have another heir." She confessed before glancing away, purposely not meeting his eyes, frightened to see the disgust and hurt in them.
"You do?" His voice was simply surprised.
"You… you're not mad?"
"...No. I don't think so. You're not the type to cheat willingly. So what happened?" Lily wanted to cry at his understanding and concern.
"You know me so well." She wiped her tears quickly. "Well, remember when Miku was one and we were looking for a place in the human world? And we went to France?" They both knew that Len and Rin were listening silently, but they continued.
"Well, you were looking around, so I went to a restaurant right? On my way there, some human man forced himself on me, but I took care of him quickly. I didn't want to make it a big deal, so I didn't say anything. I thought there wouldn't be any consequences."
Mikuo's memory flashed to Lily's flushed face when she returned and her insistence that they did not settle in France.
"B-but then." She couldn't stop her sobs. "I found out that I was pregnant. I didn't want you to be disgusted with me. I-I took a trip to the more remote cities and told you that I wanted to know how they live better. When you insisted on going with me, I told you that someone had to take care of Miku and that you should spend more time with her, because you really didn't. When you worried that I would be attacked, I promised to wear a disguise. A-and, when I gave birth, I left my hybrid daughter at the orphanage in my disguised form. I named her," She looked past her husband at Rin. "Rin. 'Cold, dignified, severe.' The coldness of that December night. A double meaning. If I had been more severe that day, not trying to politely ask that trash (A/N: I apologize to all the people that live in France) to stop, I would have never made that mistake." She buried her face in her husband's shoulder and he absentmindedly stroked her hair. His entire gaze was focused on Rin.
Rin's mouth was dry. "I-i-" It all made sense now. Why Queen Lily asked those questions. There was too much evidence. Her hybrid form. Her December birthday. "L-lily-san." She said dazedly, forgetting the honorific. Len walked over to wrap his arms around her, trying to comfort her. "W-what date was that?"
"December 27th." Came the muffled reply. Lily raised her head, newly bloodshot eyes staring at Rin. She smiled weakly. "I don't blame you for it… daughter."
Her world froze and began to darken. She was half aware of Len calling her name as she toppled over in shock and everything turned black.
…
Her blond hair had grown a lot these couple of years. She noticed this absentmindedly. It was now elbow length, though still shorter than her mother, Lily's.
She gently stroked the bump of her stomach, gazing down at the gardens below the balcony of the palace, reflecting on those memories.
After Mikuo had gotten over his shock, he immediately accepted her. As she got to know him, she realized that he wasn't cold like how he acted, but a kind and warm person. He insisted that her last name be Hatsune, because Lily had been married to him when she was born. Therefore, he legally adopted her.
It didn't matter, anyways. Two years later, she was married and changed her last name once more. This time, to her husband's.
Queen Rin Kagamine. It sounded nice.
(A/N: Everyone else got their own endings too, but find that out in the epilogue!)
Arms familiarly wrapped around her. She smiled, feeling his soft breath on her ear. "What are you thinking about?"
"Hm? Memories. This and that." He spun her to face him.
"The bad ones?"
"Not really."
They were silent for a bit before the King spoke again. "Hey."
"Yes?"
"Is she going to have to go through the same thing we did?"
Rin let out a laugh. "Of course not. It was the 100th that was special, not the 101st."
"That's good. But then… to think about it, even if it was not the greatest experience, if it didn't occur, I wouldn't have met you."
"And you'd still be human." Rin teased. "What's the fun in that?"
"True." Len laughed softly. He gently placed a hand on her stomach, where the baby gave a little kick.
As their heads met in a soft lip lock, Rin couldn't help but pray that someone would watch over her daughter through her own difficult times, even though everything usually turns out fine.
A whistle of wind swept through the area as they slowly pulled apart. Rin smiled, reassured.
At least you'll always watch over her, Miku-nee-chan.
…
Uh ha! Even though there's an epilogue this is technically the end.
People, you don't have to read it if you don't want to. But! You might see some cute characters. *hint hint*
So I fail at endings. Yay for me! The last part was supposed to refer back to Rin's wish at the beginning. It wasn't written, but it was implied. She wanted a family (being a hybrid and all) and to be powerful (Hello, girl? You're QUEEN!).
I also implied that Rin and Miku were sisters. I knew of it cause I was the author, but you guys might have not picked them up. Anyways, I wrote that they share the same eyes and the part where Miku said that Rin would be a much better princess and when Miku said that she felt some immediate trust towards Rin. It was very subtle, nee?
Let's see, do I have any other last minute notes? Oh, so I killed Gumi. Yes. I felt that there were too many of Rin's friends alive. *prepares to die by Gumi fans*
Also, sorry about the fiasco with Rei and Rui. I almost forgot about them. I reread this chapter and I was like… Wait… Rei and Rui?! It was bad, cause I couldn't focus on them (since dear Rinny was the mc). If you guys want, though I'll try to put them in the epilogue, I'll make an omake for Rei and Rui's reunion! Just ask~
I'll do a more formal one at the end of the epilogue. (Please, please, read). But here I'll just say: Thank you my lovely readers for reading The Draft! It helped me grow a lot as a writer!
This might be my only multi chapter fic for Vocaloids. Sorry! I might do one shots. And maybe another multi chap if I get a good prompt. Cause I can't think of anything good on my own. (*Hint hint* if you guys have any good prompts, PM me!)
Rin and Len: Review? And be ready for the epilogue.
Me: Yes. You can see their lovely child. Minna, if you have any last minute OCs, please send PMs so I can put them in the epilogue. Thanks!
Sorry for the super long author's notes this chappie! (Both of them each take up almost a whole page)
~Hana, Rin, Len