Chapter 8 guys! Sorry for the short update even when it took such a long time...

Disclaimer: I do not own VOCALOID! They all belong to their repsected owners!

Chapter Eight:

Forgotten

~RIN~

Meiko tied the ribbon to the side of my hair and started adding feathers to it.

I remained motionless, afraid that any slight movement would ruin this night. When Meiko finally finished my hair by adding the pins, she then helped me up and faced me to the mirror.

"Meiko…I-," I fumbled to say as I stared at the reflection that stared back at me. She giggled at my expression and slung her arms around me.

"Of course you look beautiful! Who ever said that you weren't?" Meiko replied while she laughed. I smiled at her and bowed.

"Thanks a lot Meiko."

"The pleasure is mine Rin, anytime you want my help don't hesitate to call." She winked as we left the room. Finally, the ball is tonight and I plan to enjoy it greatly. There will no longer be hindrances to stop me from enjoying the night. I breathed deeply, trying to calm the energy that wanted to escape as I opened the door that led to the shop.

"Well now! Isn't she a beauty?" Kaito breathed as I entered the shop. Rei and Piko quickly turned to my direction and then glared at each other for a long time before looking away with irritation.

"I designed her so she deserves to look beautiful." Meiko boasted as she admired her design on me. I bowed in front of all of them as how Miku once taught me. Rei got up and approached me with a smirk on his face. He bowed as well and extended his hand.

"May I have the honour of taking the hand of the lovely maiden standing in front of me?" Rei asked coolly making me blush again.

"Yes you may." I replied and took hold of his hand. Meiko and Kaito applauded as Rei led me to the store's centre and danced with me to the sound of the night's music. My heart was racing fast as we danced around the store. Neither Len nor Miku taught me yet how to dance so I was afraid to make any mistakes but with Rei supporting me as we danced I felt as if I knew the steps very well.

"Ahem! If you don't hurry you might be late for the ball." Piko replied breaking us both from our trance. Rei glared at Piko for a long time and then nodded.

"He's right Rin, but don't worry we'll continue this at the dance hall when we arrive." Rei smiled and helped out of the store and into the carriage.

"Here Rin, the party is after all a masquerade ball so you'll have to wear a mask." Rei said as I put on the white mask he just gave me. He too, took out his black one and put it on. A mask to conceal who you meet hmm…it made me safe as I put it on.

"Rin…" Rei whispered and I turned to him. There was something wrong with him tonight, he was always upbeat and ready for anything but lately he looks almost sombre and easily preoccupied.

"Yes Rei?"

"I'm a cruel person don't you think so?" Rei suddenly asked taking me by surprise.

"What makes you say that Rei? As far as I'm concerned, I've never seen you do anything bad." I replied getting worried. Rei looked out the window with a wistful look on his face.

"Does it hurt Rin? That feeling when you see the person you like with someone else." He added which made me a bit upset. Here we were about to enjoy a very beautiful night and then he just makes it worse. Why is he acting like this?

"I admit Rei it hurts but if you want that person to happy then wouldn't you gladly be at pain for their happiness. Why are we even talking about this?"

"Like I told you Rin, I'm just too cruel…" He whispered making me even more irritated.

"Rei what has gotten into you?" I shouted back. He remained silent for a long time before turning to me with a pained expression.

"It's just too painful Rin…I can't bear it. I'm not as strong as you think I am. When I see you smile in front of him it makes me upset. All I do is make you sad and angry, it makes me feel so useless. Even if it's for your happiness…I just can't give you to him." He nearly cried out. It was the first time I saw him in so much pain and remorse.

"Rei…" I called out worriedly. He hugged me tightly but I didn't pull away, instead, I hugged him back. I didn't want to see him like this again…it was too painful to watch.

"Please Rin…don't let go. Don't lock me up in the darkness again." He whispered. I embraced him tightly and nodded trying my best to act strong for him.

"I won't let go Rei…I promise you I won't let go. So please…" I begged burying my face on his shoulders. We stayed like this until Rei loosened his hold and looked at me with those faded gold eyes.

"Thank you Rin…" He whispered weakly.

For your sake Rei…I will be the light to guide your way.

~MIKU~

His anxiousness was making me nervous.

Len was always glancing towards the entrance every time someone was entering. It made me both curious and worried. Curious because I didn't know who he was expecting; worried because I was afraid to find out who it was. He said he'd look at no one but me tonight, but lately his mind is elsewhere instead.

"Len who are you waiting for?" I asked unable to contain the curiosity suffocating me. Len didn't seem to hear me which made me slightly irritated.

"Len!"

"Y-yes Miku what is it?"

"Seriously Len, who is this person you're waiting for?" Len kept silent as he stared at me with those deep sapphire eyes of his.

"It's Rei…He's late so I'm just worried." He replied. Lies…it was just too obvious. It wasn't Rei he was waiting for but someone else. I didn't pry any further after I heard what he had said. I was too afraid to know the truth…especially if it was Len who said it. I just nodded in reply and watched as Len turned towards the entrance again.

It was already midnight.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much for coming to our pre-engagement ball; it is an honour to have you all here tonight." Len said as he raised his glass in cheers. Everyone raised their glasses as well.

"Don't they make a beautiful pair?" A lady commented while she took a sip from her glass.

"Imagine; Valice's future duke and Claridan's future Duchess, two powerful bloodlines. Surely our country will profit from this greatly." A man added making me smile. True my marriage to Len would mean stronger ties with both countries but that wasn't the purpose I married him. I wasn't some evil woman who'd want nothing but to profit from my husband. I love Len with all my heart and I'm not willing to have it destroyed so easily.

The music started playing and soon everyone made their way to the dance hall. I put on my blue mask and held on to Len's arm as we descended the long stairway. It was like a fairy-tale come true, me and Len dancing together in a masquerade ball. Even if his gold mask hid his face, I could tell that the way he looked at me was full of loving and happiness.

"It's an honour to dance with someone as beautiful as you Miku." Len smiled as he spun me around. I giggled at the comment and approached him when the band shifted to the next tune.

"Well it's an honour as well to dance with a dashing man like you."

"Really now?" He asked raising a brow.

"Of course." I replied. We continued this long dance as if the world consisted of no one but the both of us. The music paired with the atmosphere made me all giddy inside. When partners were about to be switched, I was almost reluctant to let go but the way he looked at me made me assured that he'd come back.

~RIN~

I never knew that dancing would be this difficult.

"One, Two, three… One, two, three." Rei repeated as he spun me around the second time. True it was easy when we did it back at the shop but that was when it was just the two of us.

"Oh! Sorry Rei." I said when I stepped on his foot. It was a good thing Rei was patient, because if he wasn't then he'd be yelling at me by now.

"It's okay Rin, just take a deep breath and follow my lead." He added while giving me a faint smile. At least he was finally lightening up and not sulking about. After the incident in the carriage, I thought that he'd remain like that for a long time. I guess making that promise to him finally calmed him down.

But the hard part is whether or not I could keep it for a long time.

"Ouch!" I snapped back to reality when I noticed the song change and Rei was no longer the one I was dancing with. The man was clothed in yellow unlike Rei's black one. He wore a gold mask while his hair was tied to a short ponytail. His face showed that he was slightly in pain. I then looked down and noticed that I had stepped on his foot.

"I'm terribly sorry!" I apologized. The man put off a slight grin and composed himself.

"You still never change…Rin." My eyes grew wide when he called my name. This man…could it be?

"Len?" I asked and sure enough the man removed his mask and there standing before me was none other than Len. I tried to step back and look for Rei when suddenly Len gripped me by the arm and pulled me back.

"It'd be a shame to leave so early Rin, at least do me the honour of dancing with you tonight." Len smiled as he pulled me to him. My heart was beating fast as he moved closer to me while we danced the waltz. I just hoped he didn't see me blush every time he spun me around the dance floor. Where on earth could Rei be? I quickly scanned the crowd, hoping to find his figure amongst the dancers that passed by.

"You'll trip if you look elsewhere Rin." Len said when he noticed me looking behind my back.

"It's Rei…I can't find him. One minute he's dancing with me then the next thing I knew, he's now replaced by you." I replied when I turned to him. Len frowned for a bit taking me by surprise. When did I last see him do this? It almost felt like years since I last saw this side of his…

The side he only showed to me and no one else.

But knowing the situation now…I suppose Miku had already seen this side of him. I guess I really have nothing I can call my own now can I?

"Rin!" I turned around and found Rei running towards us. My heart heaved a sigh of relief as I let go of Len and ran towards him.

"Wait!" Len shouted grabbing me by the arm. I turned to him and saw his eyes full of sadness… that pain I couldn't seem to understand. A few people turned to us and for that instant, Len looked away and let me go.

"Go." Was all he said as he walked away from me.

Summer's finally here! Sorry for updating late I'll try my best to update as fast as I can so just stay tuned. P.S: Please comment if I need to polish anything in my work since I feel as if I'm not writing it as well as I used to. Tnx.

And another thing...The comment made by A. Well the title I used was purely by coincidence. I actually didn't know that the title I had made was the same title as the author of that story. Just posting this to clear up that comment. :)

-xXGemini14Xx-