Chapter 11 Finally Updated Sorry for the suuuuper long update!

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

Chapter Eleven

Past and Present

~RIN~

"What do you mean you can't come!" I shouted angrily that my voice echoed in the entire mansion. I quickly clamped my mouth shut when I realized that the whole household was looking at the both of us.

"I'm truly sorry Rin but I was already asked by the Duke of Burmyn to attend a political meeting tomorrow. If I could have my way, I would've declined his offer but father has been ill for some time that he is in no condition to travel."

"What about Len? Why couldn't he be the one to attend the meeting?" I asked and as soon as I said that Rei frowned and looked away. I had completely forgotten what Rei and I had discussed; that no matter what, Rei would never become Len's shadow.

"I'm sorry if you're mad but I wanted to do this…" He replied.

"Rei…It's not your fault, I was so sure of myself that you'd be coming so I was kind of disappointed when you declined. I'm sorry for saying those things without understanding your feelings." I assured him. After our promise the night before…I was now afraid of committing any mistakes against him. He made me his reason so I have to do my best to assure him that I wasn't failing him.

"I understand what you feel Rin…I'm sorry too, for not being able to be there when you need me."

"No it's my fault. It seems that I'm breaking our promise again."

"H-hey you don't have to make yourself look bad. Besides, I'm not mad at all." Rei smiled but I wasn't sure now if what he put up in front of me was either fake or real.

"But if I'm not able to come…then who will you come with? You did tell me that there might come times that Meiko might not be able to accompany you. Won't you feel lonely?" His voice suddenly showed a hint of worry. I could only return him a slight smile and assure him that I'd be fine on my own.

"I think I can manage myself Rei so don't worry about me and worry more of your work. Remember it's your first time so you have to leave a good impression on them."

"I'll try Rin…just make sure you get there safely and come back here quickly." Rei said and ruffled my hair furiously.

"Hey! I just fixed my hair Rei!" I pulled his hand away and tried to get back at him. Rei tried to step back but he missed his footing and tried to grab me, making him trip on the carpet and send a few vases falling to the ground before falling onto the ground with me following in.

"What was that noise just now?" Miku rushed to the scene and gasped at what she saw. Rei was on the ground and on top of him was me, our faces inches from each other.

"My Rin…so very straightforward." She giggled.

"No Mistress Miku, do not misunderstand this! It was an accident." I replied turning bright red as igot off of Rei.

"Aaah…Rei's first love! Oh how romantic~ A forbidden love." Miku sighed dreamily. What on earth is inside her mind? Spouting such nonsense about forbidden love.

"F-forbidden love? Miku, please do not make such statements!" Rei added.

"Why are you being so defensive?" She smiled slyly.

"I am not being defensive!" Rei shouted embarrassingly.

"It is obvious from your expression that you are being defensive. Oh Rin, you lucky girl! Imagine getting married to Rei…that would make us related oh how lovely!" Miku shouted happily.

"Married! Don't you think it's a bit too early to be thinking about that?" I replied.

"Who is getting married?" Just when things were finally settling down Len suddenly pops into the scene.

"Don't you think they make a beautiful couple Len? I was expecting her to be with Piko but seeing her act with Rei like this is just too adorable…especially back at the ball. I can't help but pair them together!"

"Wh-what! W-with Piko? He's just like a brother to me." I added.

"Do not mention that kid's name again!" Rei countered and regretted it later when he saw the look plastered all over Mistress Miku's face.

"Do I hear the bitter tone of jealousy Rei?" Mistress Miku said and ran directly in front of Rei while she placed her hand at the back of her ear. Len approached me with a smirk on his face while Miku and Rei were busy arguing.

"So… You and Rei eh?"

"What are you talking about Len? Don't tell me you believe all that you've heard?" I groaned. Why does everyone think that Rei and I have something going on between us?

"Miku tends to overreact so it's hard to know if she's telling it correctly or not. But I know you meant it back at the conservatory that you and Rei weren't an item so I believe you. After all, you're a very bad liar sometimes." He grinned. I frowned at his remark but I was glad at the very least that he trusted my words.

"Will you really be alright tomorrow Rin?" Rei asked when he managed to distract Mistress Miku away from the room. Len raised a brow as he looked at the both of us. A sure sign that he wanted to know what was going on.

"Don't worry Rei; I'll be fine on my own. Besides I can explore the town when Meiko's not around, that way I won't feel lonely."

"So Rei can't come with you to the trip huh?" Len asked. I nodded and explained Rei's trip to Burmyn and how I won't have any company on the days Meiko won't be around.

"Maybe I should come…" Rei trailed off but I assured him again that I'll be fine. Really how can this man ever hope to succeed his brother when he keeps worrying about me too much?

"Well if Rei can't come; I guess I'll accompany you then." Len suddenly added.

"What are you talking about broth-,"

"Well you see Rin and I had a little talk. That if you failed to accompany her then she can ask me to accompany her there. Since I'm free anyways, why don't I be her escort there?" Len interjected as if his idea was a good one.

"You needn't have to accompany her brother. I trust Rin's words that she can handle things by herself." Rei replied while turning to me for an explanation, his tone sounded slightly irritated making me worry.

"Yes. Rei's right Len, I'll be fine on my own." I added. Len looked upset for that short moment before he reverted back to his usual attitude as if an idea had suddenly struck him.

"If she had an escort tagging along then the boys won't approach her, that way you don't have to worry about a thing Rei."

"I'm more afraid of you accompanying her rather than the boys." Rei muttered to himself.

"What about Mistress Miku? She definitely would not agree to this kind of action." I said.

"Miku would never object to such actions when it concerns you." Len replied. True, Mistress Miku was very overprotective of me when we were young so she wouldn't mind Len keeping an eye on me. Even if I get Mistress Miku to side with me, Len would always find a way. He's just like Rei after all, too stubborn.

"Rei, What do you think? Shaking Len off seems kind of impossible." I asked Rei. He sighed loudly and quickly admitted defeat, I guess even Rei couldn't handle his own brother too.

"Do I look like have any options left? Why did you even agree to something like this without my consent? I agree to this idea, but please… take care of yourself when you're with him Rin." Rei warned me. Why did he look worried when he told me those? Rei seemed like he was hiding something from me.

Something I don't know about Len.

"You know very well what I meant brother; I'll never forgive you if something happens to her." Rei added when he turned to Len. Len just gave him a smile and watched Rei walk out of the room.

"Heh~ I wouldn't forgive myself either if I failed again too." Len murmured to himself. Somehow his cheery attitude faded after everyone was gone.

I wonder why?

"Hey are you alright? Whatever happened to your cheery attitude a while back?" Len snapped back to look at me and smiled. It was the fakest smile I had ever seen in all my life that it made me scared. This is the first time I'm seeing this kind of reaction from him.

"What are you talking about Rin? I'm perfectly fine." He chuckled.

"No you are not! And that smile proves it."

"And what about my smile?" Len asked still unable to hide that smirk on his face.

"It's not like you…to smile like that- it makes me worried, it's like you're hiding something from me."

"Whatever made you think of that idea? Can you not trust me?" He wondered. I trusted him well enough but…even the closest of friends can sometimes doubt one another. I haven't been with Len for quite a long while now that I'm not sure what kind of person he has become. Sure we have been childhood friends for a long time but that was before. The past is different from the present, a lot of things change and that counts our friendship.

"I trust you Len but not like before…I'm sorry. It's just that, so many things have happened that we barely have the time. Time moves too fast and before we know it everything has changed…there's no going back, the bonds shared and created, the times enjoyed…well their all in the past already. There's no reliving them now, no way of knowing if what was there will still be there." I admitted to him. Len could only give me a half-hearted smile and laughed.

"This is not a laughing matter Len! Do you even understand what I'm trying to say is-,"

"I hear you Rin and of course I understand it. Isn't that the reason why I asked you to invite me? You're not the only one thinking about it." Len interjected.

"I know…" Was all I could say, we're in the same boat after all. Searching for the conclusion to all of this…

"Then enjoy it alright, this trip is more like a reunion and remember Rin; I still haven't forgotten those words you've told me that day."

"What are you talking ab-," Before I could finish my sentence, Len mouthed something to me…something I had been hoping he had forgotten by now. I knew that saying that back then was a bad idea, I was hoping that he would have at least forgotten about it but it turns out that he clearly remembers it.

"Never expected me to remember it huh Rin?" He grinned making me turn red from complete embarrassment.

"H-how sure are you that I even mouthed those words?" I defended. Maybe if I pretended that I mouthed something else then maybe he'd think of it to be that. That was truly a very terrible idea for me to do.

"Then what was it you were trying to tell me then? What other word could you have possible thought to mouth to me on that day besides 'I love you'?"

"Colourful." He eyes grew wide with surprise when I told him my answer.

"Colourful?" He repeated and I nodded. I mouthed it to him to prove to him that they had the same form when mouthed.

"Well I guess it was my mistake…but really Rin, who on earth would say 'colourful' on the day she leaves? Wouldn't that person want to make an impression, one that'd be etched deep in someone's mind forever?"

"I chose colourful becau-,"

"Never mind about it Rin; I don't need your explanation, the answer is enough for me." Len interjected almost sadly. Was he upset that the word I mouthed to him was colourful? Was he expecting me to tell him that what I had really told him before was a confession? Len should know his status by now…actually I should've accepted his status back then. Now it seems that I made him even more confused of his decision right now.

"Where you expecting something else Len?" Somehow it just tumbled out of my mouth. Here I go again I guess. Always praying for a glimmer of hope… regardless of the real answer already there in front me, ready to slap me as if to tell me that I should just accept it. Len turned away from me and I saw his hand clench into a fist and then loosen up and again he turned to me with a face I was not expecting him to make.

"Hahaha! Just kidding Rin~ why? Expecting me to suddenly turn around and then confess feelings to you. That will never happen!" Len laughed almost childishly when he saw my shocked expression. So it was all a trick? A set-up to get vengeance! And here I was worried that I had confused him with what I said only to be fooled and made fun on.

Somehow it didn't feel funny but…painful. I guess I got mentally slapped already, that I should be giving up on such hopes and move on. What if I admitted to him my feelings back then…would he have chosen me or Mistress? But I was a coward and now here he is- engaged not to me but to my former Mistress. I have to tell myself already that I'm no longer living in the past but in the present. But why can't I let my eyes just open wide enough to see it?

"Are you upset that I fooled you Rin? I'm sorry if I hurt you in any way, it was merely a jest to get even and I meant no ill- meaning." Len apologized. Did he see my expression? How upset I was when I found out that he had tricked me? Come on Rin! Tell him that it was true, just to ease this situation and remove the burden I'm now carrying.

"I-I Uh…Yes that's it. I'm sorry Len for making you worry; I had a terrible day so I easily get upset lately…please forgive me if in any way I made you worry." I bowed in apology. I looked up and for a split second, I saw Len make a face that I couldn't seem to make out- a mask hiding something he wishes for no one to know.

"No I should be the one apologizing for pulling something like that on you."

"Len I-," I tried to speak out what I wanted to say but I bit my tongue. I didn't want to ruin the atmosphere now by asking unneeded questions. It's better for it to remain like this just to keep the short-lived happiness from falling apart. I just accepted his apology with a smile and excused myself before heading out.

Making sure that he did not see the sadness and bitter pain plastered on my face…

Awww! Why does Len always make her cry! Why am I such a cruel person! But then again all romance stories have to have drama to make it so heart wrenching right Sorry for the long update though when summer ends and college starts well you have less time to write but then again I have to try hard to get it updated right!

-xXGemini14Xx-