Chapter 11

It was a normal morning for Len. His pillow was soft and his blanket warm. He stretched out in his own bed, far as he could reach. His hands contacted something warm and tender next to him and he pulled it close. He was rested and felt rejuvenated.

It had been so long since he'd slept this well. He did sleep of course as rest was simply crucial to being a genius. If he had to sit in a class full of idiots, he'd at least be well rested.

Though he slept, Len hadn't slept and felt well afterwards in a while. Somehow things were off...did his bed usually feel this nice? This...expensive? Bits and pieces started to mix together. And much to his disliking he opened his eyes and sat up. Surprisingly this action wasn't done by him alone.

Looking down he saw none other than Rin. Her arms comfortably and snuggly locked around him, sharing his bed. Len blinked absentmindedly for a while. Just staring down at Rin. She slept peacefully, yet somehow looked exhausted. As if she'd done hours of hard work the day before.

She wasn't heavy just as he'd remembered, and momentarily he recalled finding her. She was somehow even lighter than before. He didn't deem it possible in such a short time as she hadn't really done much. Maybe he would ask her how she was feeling. Her complexion was fair, yet she looked sick.

If she was sick then she wouldn't be able to join their hike. Len frowned at the thought. She'd better not be sick, she'd looked so happy the whole car ride here. Absolutely mesmerized at the thought of making friends and hanging out. He'd only really joined the trip for her, she couldn't just get sick and not participate all of a sudden.

There was no telling what anyone would do if she didn't tag along. The thought of going missing thanks to Luka Megurine wasn't a pleasant idea. As nobody would be allowed to go back for him by her order. Nobody but Len was bold enough to defy Luka's order.

He'd have to get Rin some medicine and make some soup. He ran a thumb across her cheek and was surprised to find that it was beyond soft. Her smooth skin oddly, felt nice against his fingertips. He wasn't good at caring for other people except himself but, maybe if it was for Rin's sake-something inside him blocked the rest of the thought.

Delinquents weren't supposed to care for other people. They destroyed and fought. Len jerked his hand away as if it had been singed. He couldn't care less if she got sick. Her fault for contacting that many germs without using any countermeasures. She may be his underling but he wasn't indebted to her. He didn't owe her anything.

Infact if anything she owed him. She lived in his home, ate his food, slept in his bed and didn't pay for a single thing. Quickly glancing around the room he had to remove her. Mikuo and Kaito were still sleeping. But if they ever saw Rin in his bed, he'd never hear the end of it. Until he beat each of them of course.

With a hard shove he attempted to separate himself from Rin, but his attempt failed miserably. Her grip though loose, was unbelievably strong, inhumanly strong.

"You don't know what she is, you don't know what's she's capable of." Ted's words lingered flowing through his mind like silk. However the silk was dipped in poison and lined with venom. Len disregarded them as fast as he'd remembered them. He was way out of their reach and they'd no right to be among his thoughts. He had bigger problems.

"Rin?" he whispered, glancing around the room before returning to her. He clutched her shoulders and shook her. "Hey, wake up." Her eyelids fluttered open. Her blue eyes seemed a much more intense shade of blue, almost neon. He noticed how long her eyelashes were. Rin smiled up at him.

"Good morning Len, how did you slee-" Len clamped a hand down over her mouth and glared. Quickly he lifted her and left the room. Once safely outside he released his death grip and set her down.

"What did you think you were doing?" He continued in his whisper-like tone, mostly to avoid detection.

"I was sleeping," she replied innocently, blinking, watching him. Len sighed heavily and walked across the room. He leant on the table. His hands spreading wide out over the smooth wood surface.

How could she not see what a bad idea that was? If Kaito had ever woken up in the night or at that point to see her in his bed. Len eternally would be ripped on. The agony of the thought alone made him shudder.

He already ran a huge risk with Rin sleeping in his bed at home. Any day his brother could walk in and find her. He wouldn't make any noise but strike silently. He'd take pictures and use them as blackmail. He'd tease and joke and ridicule. If his sister ever visited, she'd do triple that.

All girls he knew were the devils incarnates. All power hungry, all violent an especially cruel. Just because Rin looked so fragile didn't mean she was an exception to the rule. Or any different for that matter

"Was sharing your bed wrong Len? We usually sleep like that," Rin spoke behind him. Sounding sad that she had disappointed him yet also confused at the same time. Len opened the balcony slider door and stepped out. The cool morning air chilled him as he stared at the small city below. He gestured Rin to follow him out and soon enough she was by his side. She shut the door behind them.

"Yes, it was wrong," Len sighed. "What happens at home and on trips have two completely different sets of rules." Finishing he turned to Rin and a pang of guilt twisted in his stomach.

Tears were streaming down her soft cheeks. The same warm smooth ones he'd brushed earlier. Somehow he felt a discomforting pain in his chest that he couldn't describe. It had not been there before, not until he saw Rin crying for about the hundredth time now.

Each time he felt slightly...different. But he couldn't fight the sudden urge to comfort her. Somehow he didn't like seeing tears roll down Rin's cheeks. But she was the only one. So he pulled her close. Without thinking he'd suddenly embraced her, he didn't know why, but felt It'd be wrong to let go now.

"Geez..., didn't I tell you not to cry anymore?" he asked, notes of irritation hidden in his voice. But his voice was soft towards her. No harm meant by the irritation. Rin wiped at her tears and pulled back a little from Len staring shyly up into his face. Her lips were slightly pouted and she opened her mouth to speak.

Quickly Len pulled Rin back against him, denying her speech. Her face had startled him. He hadn't expected her to look that...adorable. His face felt strangely warm and for some reason he didn't want Rin to see.

He rested his head on top of hers, tucking her in closer. He couldn't understand why he'd pulled her into the embrace in the first place. Yet he didn't know what else to do, he wanted to be the one to put her at ease.

"It's...it's really irritating you know, when you cry. But I don't want you to hold in your tears either. So just...cry on my shoulder..., or whatever." He heard Rin sniffle and his shirt got a lot wetter. After a little while he felt her use his shirt to dry her tears.

"I'm sorry Len, I didn't mean to let you down. I didn't know abou-" She stopped speaking when Len stood and patted her on the head. She gazed up to look at him but Len looked the other way.

"You didn't particularly let me down or anything." That's when he stopped himself.

He found that he was gazing at Rin. She had the back of her hand near her mouth, her cheeks a slight blush. And she laughed. A light hearted fluttery sound that was beautiful. Somehow hearing Rin laugh made him feel, strange. Her joy filled him with an emotion he couldn't describe. He found himself wanting to hear more of it. Her mouth curved into a bright smile and Len removed his hand, feeling his face grow hotter.

"W-What're you so happy about?" Rin shook her head and placed one hand on her head. The same place Len had patted. She stepped backwards away from him and turned towards the balcony.

Len couldn't tell if it was the early morning light but Rin looked different. Back to her usual angelic self. Morning wind drifted by and Rin's hair fluttered with the breeze. Something about her was just, mesmerizing.

"I just thought Len was being exceptionally nice to me today is all," Rin finally said. She turned around and opened the slider door. "Let's go get everyone ready for the hike." With that Rin was off. Len didn't get another word in, just stood there dumbfounded. The moment Rin left the sky seemed to cloud, far off in the distance. And the wind blew accordingly.

Hours later Len and the others were all hiking up a deep slope. It was a common tourist attraction near the Megurine's hot springs. The slope was steep but they climbed nonetheless. Surprisingly all chatting amongst themselves.

Rin was ahead with Teto, Miku, and Luka. They seemed to be discussing the lunch they'd all happily made earlier. Beside Len along with Mikuo and Kaito were observing the scenery. He couldn't remember the last time he'd hiked anywhere.

The mountain air was refreshing. A million times better than the polluted city air. Their trail was rocky but flat, more level in some areas than others. It curved up the mountain and the sides of the cliff were not gated. Signs had been posted to climb at your own risk, which had spurred the challenge in them all.

Len didn't doubt they'd all had alter motives but while Rin was present they seemed to push all those aside. All differences and rivalries didn't seem to matter.

So even though Len was the very farthest left hugging the walls of the mountain while Kaito was near the very edge far right. Where Len could have easily elbowed him and sent him tumbling down the mountain; he didn't.

Len concentrated on the view. It was simply breathtaking. Vibrant tree greens blended with other various shades of green down below. All the trees and their colors looked like the fine Persian carpet his parents had. He hadn't gone to see his family in a while.

"Do you agree Len?" Mikuo's voice pulled Len out of his thoughts. Confused, Len stared quizzically between the group of girls and Mikuo.

"What?" He finally said, admitting he hadn't been listening.

"The clouds moron," Luka cut in, rolling her eyes.

"Excuse me for-" Len stopped himself midsentence. He didn't wanna ruin everyones good time by saying he was thinking of better things. A fight was the last thing he needed. "No, excuse me for not paying attention."

Len looked up into the sky. The clouds were growing thicker, blocking out the sun. They were a deep shade of grey.

"Yeah, looks like a storm is rolling in," he said looking around the group.

"See, I told you..." Mikuo sighed solemnly. "We won't have much time to make it to the top at this rate. In half an hour we'll need to stop and eat then start making our way back down before the rain rolls in."

Honestly Len didn't think it was a good idea to keep climbing when the possibility of a storm was near. There was no telling how slippery rocks could get with the rain. Sometimes they stayed sturdy and other times they didn't.

"I have an idea," Luka spoke up. Len caught her smiling at him and he knew it wouldn't be good. "Len looks like he hasn't used much energy so why don't we make him carry anyone who's tired up the mountain."

"How will that help us?" Mikuo asked.

"Simple," Luka smiled, sashaying her way over to Len. "The slow will move faster and we'll cover more ground."

"Sounds all right to me," Mikuo agreed. Instantly Len deemed him more of and idiot than before. His respect for Mikuo actually plummeted.

"I can already guess who I'm gonna be carrying," Len sighed and set down the things he was carrying. "Let's just go already Luka." But she eyed him strangely.

"There is no way on earth I would ever let you lift me Len. I'm afraid you're far too weak for my tastes." She laughed afterwards. "To support me you'd have to crawl on all fours." Len smiled.

"You're that fat?" He said sounding surprised. An eyebrow raised. "Why Luka how rude to say that about yourself." He'd never forget the way Luka glared at him. She huffed and twisted on her heels.

"You'll be carrying Miku, she's tired. Everyone hurry up. If you fall behind I'll have you killed." With that she charged forward. Stomping her platform shoes deep into the rocky ground. Dust flew up with each step she took and Len couldn't help but laugh.

How Luka Megurine could wear such high shoes, long light blue jeans ripped in several places all in the front of her pants. All put together with a graphic T-shirt that read "Bite Me." Baffled him. Mostly the long jeans and the shoes. How she was still comfortably walking in them he would never understand.

Teto rushed to Luka's side only walking a few steps behind. Rin hung off to the Left side of Luka. They seemed to be keeping just one step behind her. Len had no doubt upset her, however there was nothing more fun than upsetting or getting the better of Luka Megurine.

Len watched as Kaito ran up next to Luka.

"Don't worry Luka you're beautiful. You're definitely not heavy like Len said, I'd carry you any way you'd like." She stopped for a second and the next Kaito was face down in the dirt. Luka had delivered a sharp kick straight to his face. Complete K.O.. Kaito didn't move, but he wasn't dead. Mikuo kept his distance.

That's when Len took in how far he'd gotten from the group. Mikuo had taken the things he'd been carrying and next to him stood Miku. Who hadn't said a single word since she'd been standing next to him.

Len bent down offering her a ride on his back. Why he was listening to Luka he didn't know but it'd be best not to try his luck anymore. Miku and her were best friends after all so he was obligated to take care of her, for a while anyway.

"Hop on," Len said, waiting for Miku to accept the ride.

"You know most gentlemen apologize after making a lady wait," She said almost in a snarky way. Len rolled his eyes and started to stand up.

"Well, I'm not really a gentleman, so do you want me to carry you or not?"

A few minutes later Len was carrying Miku. It wasn't a chore either. She was a bit heavier than Rin but she also wasn't unbearably difficult yo lift. He wondered if all girls were light to lift. And momentarily wanted to lift Teto and Luka just to check his theory.

It wasn't exactly the first time he'd had Miku on his back. Her family had lived next to his back in elementary so many years ago. He'd been something of a friend figure to her at the time but they'd drifted apart upon attending middle school. Mostly because she'd turned into a devil. He halted to a stop for a second when he felt Miku's hands drift around him resting on his chest. She held tight.

"Don't misunderstand," Miku started, her breath blowing past his neck. "You're not exactly balanced and I need something to hold on to. That's all, there isn't any other reason." Len hadn't really thought of any other reason anyway without her saying so. Len kept walking. Silence echoed for the longest time between him and Miku.

It might have been his imagination but it was as if Miku seemed to lean closer and closer to him for support. However the mountain wasn't that steep and he wasn't wobbling much. Yet she held him tighter. Still he ignored it and climbed, wondering where the group was.

"Why don't you say something already genius," Miku complained, finally breaking the silence. The irritant tone was apparent in her voice.

"What is there to say?" Len commented almost too bluntly. He didn't really care for idle chatter with Miku. They weren't as close as they used to be.

"I don't know just say something moron!" Miku shouted, nearly deafening him.

"Sorry, didn't know laboring away by carrying you entitled me to have biscuits and tea with you aswell," Len added a little too harshly.

"Let me off," Miku said sternly. The moment he heard the hurt in her voice he regretted saying what he did. But he stopped and Miku hopped off. She started walking in the other direction.

"Groups in the other direction Miku," Len said gesturing to the mountain path up behind him. Still she continued to walk ignoring him. "Hey!" Len called walking after her.

In normal circumstances he would have went on his way and allowed her to keep walking. Would have left her. But he'd already done enough to anger Luka already. Abandoning her best friend on the mountain trail with a storm incoming would surely call for his disembowelment. So he caught up to Miku, only walking a few steps behind her.

"Why are you following me? Just go already Len." Miku bit, but somehow her voice was shaky. She wasn't speaking in the same tone she had been earlier. She sounded weak, almost hurt.

"I can't," Len started making a grab for her wrist, but he missed as she folded her arms across her chest. "Luka would kill me if I left."

Miku stopped and suddenly pain exploded over Len's right cheek. Miku glared at him through teary eyes her hand still raised from slapping him. Subconsciously he touched his cheek, and it burned. Pain jolted through just the touching of it and he dropped his hand.

Len stood there for a second, shocked. Trying to make sense of why out of the blue Miku had just slapped him. He wondered why she was crying. Normally she was a strong person. He hadn't really said anything wrong...had he? Yet he analyzed the situation and it seemed that he had. Thunder rolled and rain started padding the rocky mountain floor lightly.

"Why did you hit me?" Len asked, not completely enraged but wondering. He didn't hit her back, mostly because he didn't hit girls. Just steered clear of them. Miku shoved him and more tears spilled down her cheeks. Her teal hair that had been locked in a messy bun sprawled out to just a ponytail.

"Why are you such a jerk Len!" She screamed shoving him again, harder this time "Just go already! I get it okay! I'll make sure Luka doesn't harm you so just leave me alone." Yet before he could process the thought of leaving she rushed at him. Pounding her fists hard against his chest. Shoving him harder and harder each time till he finally got annoyed of it and grabbed her wrists. She wasn't hurting him but it was annoying.

"Why do you keep hitting me!" Len yelled. He couldn't understand anything Miku was screaming at him. None of this situation made sense to him. She thrashed about in his arms and finally kicked him hard. Len hugged his shin and stepped back. Anger coursed through him but before he could unleash it he shouted.

"Whatever the hell is wrong with you, figure it out! I'm going to meet up with everyone else! Hopefully, you'll have stopped being a psychopath by the time I get back." Len turned around and it rained harder.

He hiked up hill for a while before it started to feel wrong. The rain was washing too hard down the mountain and any moron with bad footing or bad shoes would fall if they weren't careful. Miku might have freaked on him but he'd feel guilty if he went back to the group without her. They used to be childhood friends, part of him still clung to that and couldn't just leave her.

Watching his step he walked back downwards calling for her while walking. When he came across the same place he'd left her she was still standing there. Limp and lifeless, except for the violent jerking of her shoulders.

"Miku?" He called out to her before stepping forward. "Are you okay?" He didn't know why he asked. He knew she wasn't okay but that's what had come out of his mouth.

"Why'd you come back?" She bit bitterly. "Just leave me alone Len...you don't even care about me. Just go...I'll tell Luka that I went for a walk by myself when I get back." Len scratched the back of his head. His hair was damp and wet. From where he was standing he could see Miku shivering. Somehow it bothered him.

"If I don't bring you back with me Luka will-"

"Luka will what!" She cut in abruptly. Starting again with the screaming. "Luka this, Luka that. If you're only here because you're concerned about what she'll do to you just go. I'll cover for you."

"It's not just that, It won't feel right if I go back without you okay. Delinquents have their morals too."

"You have morals?" Miku laughed. "Is insulting girls one of them?" This stopped Len and her. Miku's hand flew over her mouth and she started running away. Len knew if he didn't catch her she'd slip and fall. He took his chances and ran after her. Minding how he was running every step of the way.

"Miku?" he called. "Where are you going?"

"Just leave me alone Len! I thought I could do it but I can't. I really can't"

"Can't what?" he asked finally catching up with her, grabbing her wrist. The action spun Miku towards him and his blue eyes locked with her teal ones. Subconsciously he'd ended up close to her. Their faces way too close.

"How was I supposed to know it'd be this hard!" She yelled punching him in the chest, still not doing any damage. "How does Luka expect me to do this! How am I supposed to tell you I like you!"

Len's eyes went wide as he stared at her. Taking in what he'd heard. He just stared unable to say anything. Miku's face flushed as she noticed what she'd said and she shoved Len back.

She hadn't remembered the cliff, but he had.

Miku lost her balance and almost in slow motion she fell backwards into nothing but air. Starting to fall. Len made a grab for her and they both started to tumble. The only pain he remembered feeling was smashing through the tops of trees. He'd hugged Miku tightly against his chest. He'd shielded her, but he'd also taken all the impact of the fall.