Disclaimer: I do not own VOCALOID! They all belong to their respected owners!
Chapter Seventeen
Troubled Thoughts
~LEN~
"Not planning on sitting with them?" Gakupo asked me.
I turned to the other table and saw Rin, Rei and Meiko eating pancakes, Meiko in between the two who were completely red. Had I not seen the events that took place last night, I might have asked them why they seemed so awkward with each other.
"No, I don't think I'll be welcomed there."
"What makes you say that? I don't think Rei's the type to ignore his brother." Gakupo replied making me chuckle.
"You don't know the half of it." I answered earning a confused look from him. I took a glance at the other table and saw all three of them completely silent. Meiko felt my gaze and turned to me with her eyebrows raised making me look away.
I guess these were one of the things I wasn't allowed to do anymore after that night- keep glancing at Rin's direction like I was expecting something.
"Hey, why are you two so quiet? Did something happen last night?" The moment the words left Meiko's mouth, the two suddenly turned a brighter shade of red making me nearly choke on my coffee.
"Are you alright, Len?" Gakupo asked me worriedly. I assured him I was fine, turned to Meiko, and saw her eyeing me as well, a look telling me to look away and mind my own business.
"I know my bounds and I plan to keep it." I say aloud making them turn to me.
"I hope you do so Len." Meiko replied and I smiled a smile so unreal even to me.
"What are you talking about?" Rei cut in and Meiko quickly shut up. He turned to me with a suspicious look and I return it with another smile much to his irritation.
"Well, with that settled, I was hoping if you could all help me." Gakupo butted in, hoping maybe somehow he could brighten up the mood that was beginning to turn foul.
"And what's that?" Rin asked while calming Rei and passing me looks. Gakupo then pulled out a folder from his coat and revealed to us a poster for an upcoming festival called the 'Fantasy Fest'.
"This is a one month festival wherein each shop would be decorating their place in accordance with a theme they are assigned with. The winner gets ten thousand gold and to be able to represent the town for the annual Winter Eve Ball." Gakupo explained, his eyes brimming with excitement.
"I don't get it Gakupo, you're the son of a Duke and all so can't you just go there?" Meiko asked him and for an instant, Gakupo's face turned red.
"I-um…" He mustered to say while turning into a much deeper shade of red.
"It's not about the money is it?" I guessed and somehow he nodded.
"I promised her that I'd come to her myself with my own hard work. This inn was literally made with my own hands not my father's money. I wanted to prove to her that-,"
"So who's the girl? She must be very special then." Rei cut in before Gakupo could finish, the tone of curiosity evident in his voice while making sure to emphasize the 'special' part.
"I'm surprised you still remembered it, the promise with her I mean." Rei added. I felt his eyes looking at me, making me shift uncomfortably from my seat. I did my best to calm myself and tried acting completely unfazed by asking him what our theme was. Gakupo gladly answered my question, finally comfortable with the idea of discussing something other than his love life.
"Alice in Wonderland, I was planning on being the Mad Hatter. Meiko can be the Red Queen and I think Rin deserves the role of Alice. Len you're the White Rabbit and Rei's the Cheshire Cat." The moment he assigned our roles, Rin quickly turned to Gakupo with a nervous look on her face.
"M-me as Alice! I think someone else deserves the role not me." She protested. Rei smirked and gently took her hand and kissed it making her even more flustered.
"I think it suits you Rin, after all I get to be the devious cat that always leaves a smile for you." He winked making me scoff, earning a look from both of them, including Meiko who shot me a warning look.
"Endearing, dear Rei, but you do know that it was the white rabbit who unwittingly led Alice to Wonderland. Had he been selfish for once then maybe he would never have sent her there to be seen by the cat." I said and then saw Meiko cover her face with her hands, sighing in defeat.
"Well…preparations will start today so I'll leave the decorating to the girls and the heavy work to both of you boys. I'll be going to the seamstress to get our costumes ready, if you need money then there's some inside the box under my dresser." Gakupo instructed while glancing at his watch. He then excused himself and walked out to the see the tailor.
"Have you gone completely mad Len?" Meiko asked me just after breakfast.
"What makes you say I've gone mad? I've done nothing wrong." I reply making sure that we were beyond earshot of Rin and Rei. Meiko nearly smacked herself on the face and looked at me one more time.
"I thought you said that you'd give up your smile for hers Len? As far as I can see, it's like you want her to like you again. You said you had Miku and you love her, so why are you switching sides just when Rei confessed to her!?" She nearly shouted and then covered her mouth and glancing back, hoping none of the two heard her.
"Switching sides? I did nothing of the sort Meiko. What's wrong if I want her to like me? All I want is to get my friend back." That's right, my friend. I lost her three times now and if I make another mistake then I might never repair it. Even if I did give up my happiness for hers, I still didn't want her to think of me as a stranger. Maybe one more time, just one last chance to make up for all the things I did to her. Just to say that even if she never saw me as a friend at the very least I atoned for my errors for once.
"Is that really what you think Len? If you continue on with that lie, it won't be long until the real truth comes out." Meiko warned me.
"I can see it in your eyes after all Len. I guess Rin's persuasions are actually very effective. You're starting to fall for her and you know it. It'll be a matter of time now before you start to doubt yourself Len." She added while looking at me pitifully.
"I don't need your sympathy Meiko. I can…handle this myself." It was difficult to say that last sentence and somehow Meiko knew that. Did I really need help? I always thought Rin needed the saving.
Was I somehow wrong and that it was I who needed to be saved?
"Meiko I need help here!" Rin shouted, an indication that our conversation was over.
"Think about it." Were Meiko's last words before she went to help Rin.
~RIN~
"What were you talking about Meiko?" I asked her while taking a glance at Len who walked to where Rei was.
Lately Meiko and Len were always with each other, whispering about something I couldn't seem to comprehend. It was almost as if they were hiding something from me and it made me uncomfortable not knowing anything.
"Nothing Rin, it doesn't concern you." Meiko replied. Lie. When adults say that you're not part of it, it's always the opposite.
"I know you mean well Meiko but you shouldn't scold him so much. It's our problem and I don't want you to get involved." I assured her and I saw Meiko sigh in relief making me look at her suspiciously.
"I'm sorry Rin, it's just that I was so worried since you were always so down that I decided to take matters into my own hands."
"Oh…thanks for worrying about me Meiko, I appreciate it." I smiled. It was a good thing Meiko was around. I could never fathom how I'd survive like this if she weren't there to always help me when it needed it.
"That reminds me Meiko. Could you do these decorations for me? I have to go to town to buy some streamers for the roof décor." I suddenly remembered while pulling out a list of stuff to buy.
"You sure you don't want me to come with you?" She asked me but I assured her I'd be fine and grabbed a basket. I made her worry too many times now, so I took it to my own hands to do something to lessen her burden.
"I'll be back soon." I waved her good-bye and ran out to look for the store.
"That will be fifty gold coins miss." I handed him the money and put the items in the basket. I glanced at the clock by the store's exit and saw that I finished quite early.
"Wouldn't help to take a stop and buy some food. I'm sure Meiko and the others must be hungry." I thought to myself and inspected my wallet, checking if I still had enough money to buy food.
"Sixty-nine…eighty-two…one hundred and thirty!" I still had enough money. Now all I need to do was find a store that sold food.
Being a visitor to a foreign country meant having to ask directions from time to time. It took me several times before someone finally pointed out to me a shop that sold bread and jams. The jingle from the shop's doorbell made a woman with pink hair appear from the door behind the counter.
"Yes how may I help you?" She asked me while I took the liberty of looking through all the pastry they were selling. When I saw what I wanted I pointed out to her my choice and then began looking through the jam section.
"I'll have this and this…" I pointed out the strawberry jam and the marmalade next to it.
"Are you preparing for a party?" The girl asked me while glancing at the basket full of decorations. I nodded in reply and started explaining the whole festival and the theme we had. How I was elected to be the main role and how it made me nervous.
"Who's shop are you representing anyways?"
"Ummm…I represent the inn by the beach." I answered and saw the woman's eyes grow wide in surprise.
"Is something wrong?" I asked worriedly and the woman shook her head.
"No…but I want to ask you something. By any chance, did the owner ask for money from his family? I know it seems rude of me but you see, this festival is by hard work and-,"
"No you're wrong miss! He got all this cash by working hard in his inn. He told us he wanted to prove something to someone so I know that he'd do his best without asking for his family's help." I defended Gakupo. The woman was wrong, I know that when you care for someone you'd do whatever you can to prove to that person that you deserve their trust and love. That's why Gakupo refused any financial help from his family. He wanted to prove to that special person of his that no matter what he'd win by hard work alone.
"Did he really say that?" The woman asked me and I nodded.
"The way I see things, he did that because he wanted to prove to that person that he was a man and not some rich guy who relied only on his parent's wealth."
"I see." Was all she said and then handed me the bread and jams.
"I believe you umm…"I gave her my name and she replied and said that her name was Luka.
"Thanks for everything Rin. As a token of my gratitude, the whole thing you bought is for free." She added and handed me back the gold I paid for it.
"But…I didn't do anything."
"Oh, you did do something and I thank you for it." Was all she said and then started reminding me that my friends might be looking for me.
"Please tell him when you get back that he better make sure to win." She added one more time when I took my leave.
"Do you need some help miss?" A man approached me and I shook my head.
"No thanks, I can handle this on my own." I replied but thanked him nevertheless. I waited by the stop, hoping for a carriage to arrive when the sky started to darken. People started running for shelter and it didn't take long before the dark clouds suddenly brought forth rain.
"Where is a carriage when you need one!" I panicked while protecting the items from the rain that began to get stronger. I scanned the area and sighed in relief when I saw an open carriage getting close. I signalled it and hopped into the carriage, making sure not to crush the decorations and the food, before slamming the door shut.
"Thanks a lot sir. Please take me to the beach please." I said while drying myself up and making sure the items weren't getting wet by the rain. I saw the coach driver nod and then made a turn to the left.
"Umm…the beach was to the right." I added when the driver made another left turn. He didn't seem to hear me but rather the carriage seemed to be getting faster. I suddenly started panicking and tried to look out the carriage to see where he was taking me.
"No use trying to escape. At this speed, you'll get killed if you make a jump. Might as well sit down like a behaved girl you are and follow orders." The coach driver commanded. I scanned the area again and saw that we were near the exit of the town. The buildings were now replaced by bushes and trees and that's where I saw my chance. Clumps of wet leaves were positioned at the side, a perfect pillow if I jumped. I waited for the coach to get close and when it did, I got up and moved to the edge.
"Sorry sir but I'd rather die than go with the likes of you!" I shouted and jumped from the carriage. I heard the whinnying of horses and I knew that the chase had yet to begin. I quickly got up and ran into the forest, hoping somehow it'd hide me from my pursuer.
"Stop right there!" I heard him shout and I did my best to run faster. The bushes slashed at my clothes and tugged at my hair but I didn't care. I needed to find somewhere to hide and I needed it now. It was a good thing Meiko didn't come with me, at least I know that she's safe instead of running from danger here with me.
I looked up at the sky and saw a tinge of orange staining it. It'd be nightfall soon, if I could continue to outrun him long enough for night to fall, then maybe he'd give up on chasing me. I hid behind a bush and watched as the man passed me by and continued going straight. I backtracked and happened upon a huge tree with branches strong enough to carry me.
"Okay…take a deep breath and…" I tugged at the branch and then steadied my feet at the other. One, two…one, two…one, two, taking turns with my hands and feet, I managed to make it to the top and sit on one of the huge branches that overlooked the town. I looked behind me and I could see the carriage, the man still not yet back.
"Now I wait…" I leaned by the trunk and waited for the horses to move. The birds chirped at the sky and I watched as they flew to the town's direction. Looking up, I silently prayed that someone would come looking for me.
Please…help me.
~LEN~
"She's taking too long." Meiko worriedly said while looking at both the watch and outside. Rei shifted uncomfortably from his seat and looked outside at the sky that was beginning to darken. The door opened and we all turned to see Gakupo, his face etched in worry.
"Any news?" Meiko asked and Gakupo nodded but he didn't seem too happy, meaning it was not a good news.
"We're lucky that Rin's ribbon was very noticeable. A few villagers saw her riding an open carriage. The said it made a left turn to the beach, I asked some shops nearby and they said it made another left turn away from the inn." Gakupo recounted. The news clung to the air like a suffocating gas. Rin…kidnapped. It seemed too hard to believe but this was a foreign town we're dealing with. There was always a possibility and it made me mad thinking about it.
Why hadn't I done anything? Maybe I was so focused into proving to Meiko that I could forget those feelings and walk away. Look what happened though, Rin was gone…taken elsewhere and I could only sit here and do nothing for her.
"She must've at least escaped somehow! Did you talk with the authorities?" Rei asked and Gakupo again nodded and pulled out a torn white ribbon from his pocket.
"They found it not too far from the forest just a few meters away from town. They also apprehended a man who the folks said escorted her out of town." Gakupo narrated and I saw Rei's eyes grow wide when he saw the torn ribbon. No mistaking it, that belonged to Rin…a gift from Rei as I recalled.
"Did he confess Gakupo? What on earth did he do to her!" Rei asked through gritted teeth before bursting out in a fit of anger. Luckily, Gakupo didn't feel the intensity and continued to discuss about the event that took place.
"He confessed when they found Rin's wallet and stuff in the carriage, he stated that she ran into the forest and he lost sight of her not too long after." Forest…not too far from town? Then he was heading for the docks, a perfect place to transport kidnapped people.
She must be lost then…hiding in fear, that's why no one could find her. A forest that big would be too difficult to comb out. If night falls, then she'd be exposed to more dangers…
'Help me…' The memory was so vivid like it was right before my eyes. I need to help her before it's too late.
"I'll be back soon." I didn't wait for their reply and made a mad dash to the door. The night air made me even more worried as I ran to the stop and hopped into a carriage. I felt another person enter and I saw Rei sitting next to me, Rin's ribbon inside his breast pocket.
"What one earth-,"
"No more questions nii-sama. Rin needs help and I know you'll need all the help you can get." Rei cut me off. I continued to stare at him and then nodded in reply. I realized that I'm not the only who cares for her. Even Rei would willingly cross the globe just to see her safe…this was how far his feelings were for Rin and it made me both happy and…jealous.
I mentally slapped myself and shook my head. I'd have done the same to Miku right? I would do anything to see her safe and yet here I am. I-
Would I really have done the same?
"I'm counting on you brother…I don't know what I would do if something bad happened to her." Rei snapped me out and I nodded. One more time and I'll stop and end all of this. When this is over…I have to put down the rope and watch it pull to the other side. Meiko's right, it won't be long now before I can no longer escape from it…
"The town's dock please and hurry it up!" We both commanded and the coachman whipped the horses, making them gallop faster.
This'll be the last time, so please…be safe until I find you.
Thank God, for the three-hour break we have! I managed to update within one month this time Thank you so much guys for supporting this story till now. Please R&R! I'll do my very best this time so stay tuned.
-xXGemini14Xx-