Title: Of Revenge and Redemption

Rating: T for minor language and people dying

Word count: 2,987

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Notes: I wrote the first two scenes only having watched Daughter of Evil, Servant of Evil, Message of Regret and Re Birthday. Then I did my research. Also, I managed to forget Kaito was a prince too, when I started writing this. He's now the son of a noble under Rin's kingdom. Just roll with it please. So please disregard Prince of Blue. I based this off only mothy's videos and nothing more. Daughter of Red and Daughter of Green… well it's rather vague because I focused more on Kaito and Rin, so it's open to interpretation. Miku's still not a princess though.

If you have any questions about my version of this world, just write a review. It works in my head.

Chapter One: Coincidence

ЯNЖИR

July 14, 3:45 p.m. Forty-five minutes after the execution

ЯИЖNR

Kaito stood on the wooden platform and stared coldly down at the wicker basket where all his efforts for the past months lay. A bloodied blonde head lay smiling gently inside. He scowled. He had his revenge, but revenge felt strangely disappointing. At the end, the princess was frustratingly silent and tearless, only accepted her fate with an irritating smile.

It wasn't enough. He had wanted her to suffer for what she had done to Miku, to her kingdom. There was so much blood on her hands, so much pain, so much death, she should have suffered more than she had. She deserved to experience every bit of agony she had made others bear.

But Meiko had said that they were already going to be regicides, and they shouldn't make it worse, and though it pained him to say it, Kaito knew she was right.

And so Kaito had to keep his bloody fantasies as fantasies.

Impulsively, angrily, Kaito kicked the basket and watched the head rattle with the impact until it finally rolled to a stop, still smiling that damned smile, staring up at him with unclosed eyes.

A hand touched his shoulder.

"Come on, we have to go," Meiko said softly, "There's work to do before we have to leave."

Kaito didn't budge. "You know, there's no use hating the dead," said Meiko softly.

Kaito scowled then allowed himself to be led away. Meiko was right. Then why couldn't he bring himself to follow her advice?

ЯNЖИR

September 2, 7:21 a.m. One month, eighteen days, fifteen hours and thirty-six minutes after the execution

ЯИЖNR

The town is empty. Evacuated. The inhabitants had fled from the burning of their buildings and flood of war.

Beyond the blackened streets and burnt wood, beyond the borders of the town, a cloaked figure sits kneeling in front of a glimmering sea.

The rays of the rising sun glints off a small bottle bobbing in the waves as it floats off to open sea. The cloaked figure pushes his hood back, revealing blond hair tied back in a short ponytail and a slight, feminine face, and keeping his eyes trained on the bottle, whispers words of hope.

Tears begin to stream down his face as he watches the bottle fade from view and he doesn't move even after it slips over the horizon.

Quiet crying breaks down into heartrending sobs as he curls into himself, shaking with sorrow. The sun is steadily climbing by the time he manages to pull himself together.

Aching knees groan with effort as staggers to his feet and slowly, reluctantly turns away from the shore and heads back towards the war-torn town.

ЯNЖИR

September 2, 11:37 a.m. One month, eighteen days, nineteen hours and fifty-two minutes after the exectution

ЯИЖNR

The sound of hooves on hardened soil thudded through the shadowy forest, where Meiko and Kaito rode silently through.

Kaito looked around uneasily. "It's too quiet here," he said, "There should at least be some birds."

Meiko merely waved her hand from in front, not even bothering to turn around. "There wasa war not too long ago. A lot of burning happened around here."

"Oh." The greenery absorbed the word, but it echoed around Kaito's head and danced around the awkward silence.

The stillness of the forest unnerved him and the unending sound of hooves thudded in his ears. "You think they'll be fine?" Kaito gestured vaguely backwards. "I mean the new republic."

Meiko sighed. "Yes. They will be fine. Now shut up, will you? We're almost at the next town."

Kaito clacked his jaw shut, and listened to the oppressive silence of the forest as the thud of hooves wouldn't stop clattering around his ears.

ЯNЖИR

September 2, 11:25 a.m. One month, eighteen days, nineteen hours and forty minutes after the execution

ЯИЖNR

The sun was high overhead by the time Rin made it back to the town with eyes still puffy and red. At least she was able to make her wish. Her legs were sore from the trek up and down the cliffs, and she wanted her sedan chair, despite the impossibility. It had been a month and a half since then and she still wasn't used to this new lifestyle.

The former princess would wake from her nightmare, clamber up from wherever she had stopped the night before, having slept in her (his) clothes, as usual, and slip on her (his) boots. She'd tie her hair up just like he used to, and when she looked in the mirror, if there was a mirror, a ghost would stare straight back. She would wonder how she hadn't figured out they were twins, and her heart would clench. Before she would put on his cloak, she'd hold it in her arms and breathe in Len's fading scent of lemons and soap. And to finish off, she'd slip on his belt and his sword.

It wasn't like she knew how to use his weapon. Len had tried to teach her once, but she had declared that there was no need since he would always be there for her. He only smiled gently, and did not correct her.

However, it was the blade he used to commit her crimes. Palming the worn hilt resting on her hip, Rin felt it was only fitting for her to carry the burden. Her heart ached.

She fished for some food in the bag he had shoved at her, and found to her dismay she was running low. She'd have to find more food soon.

Slowly savoring the last bits of cheese, Rin wrapped a napkin over her last loaf of bread and tucked it away. It wasn't much, but it had to do. There would be no decadent feasts, or hearty meals, or even just a simple, warm, home cooked food. Rin herself was a horrible cook, but she did what she could when she was all too aware of the gnawing emptiness in her stomach.

She'd have to keep moving soon, to find a place where she could get food, somehow. It would have been nice to stay, with the solitude and the old, happy memories that made regret grip her heart. But food was a scarcity here and she did what she had came to do.

Gravel crunched quietly underfoot as Rin made her way away from the rundown inn she had found her lodging. The path would lead out of the town, turn to dirt and wind through a forest, show her way to another, livelier town that would do better since she was no longer on the throne. It would lead her closer to her former kingdom, and increase her chance of being recognized, but Rin didn't feel like she was ready to leave her home of fourteen years. Not yet.

The gravel turned to dirt as the path led her up a small incline along the edge of the cliffs. From here she could see everything, even the spot by the sea she had spent the morning.

The forest was up ahead, only a few meters away, and Rin looked back on the deserted town and pulled her (his) hood over her head. She promised (him) herself she would come back someday.

As she began to walk forward once more, the sound of hoof beats reached her ears, and two riders emerged out of the forest.

"Hello," the woman dressed in red said amicably, but Rin drew back, recognizing the mercenary who had stormed her former home.

"Uh, hello," she stammered in reply, and moved to escape into the forest, but the second rider, who had a face she recognized immediately, stepped in her path.

"Why the big hurry?" he asked, "I thought we wouldn't see another human being for ages, but here you are. We should have lunch together."

"Um, no," she said, "I'm really in a hurry."

The wind blew the hood off her face, and she tried to snatch it back but it was too late. She backed off warily.

"Wait a minute," the woman muttered, just as Kaito frowned, and finished. "You look familiar."
Recognition hit them like a bolt of lightning, she could see it in their faces, and Rin dropped her bag and ran. She had only caught a glimpse, but fear had crushed her heart when she saw Kaito's anger.

"Wait! You!" Kaito shouted angrily, "Get back here!"

Fear pulsed through her brain, and she swallowed dryly as her feet pounded against the ground and his sword clanked on her hip. Like she could face them. Like they wouldn't try to kill her.

The thundering of hooves surrounded her, and a flash of white and blue passed her and skid to a stop in front of her. Kaito's eyes bored into hers with burning loathing. She was used to eyes like that, but, the ugly hate on the handsome face she once desired was enough to make her step back.

She couldn't take her eyes off of him, even as she backed away. She had taken away his loved ones, and they had taken away hers. And now this man in front of her burned with hate of her own creation, a hate so intense that even her supposed death couldn't even begin to quell it.

Kaito dismounted without taking his eyes off hers, pulling out his sword in one fluid movement.

"You. Servant boy." he said coldly, "You killed Miku. Draw your sword,"

Rin swallowed, stomach clenched with fear (and relief; they thought she was Len), but didn't reach for the weapon. Instead, she slowly raised her hands and knelt on the ground, gravel digging into her knees.

She didn't want to die. Life was Len's last gift to her, and she wasn't about to lose it. Otherwise she might have impaled herself on his blade or strangled herself with his belt the first night he had been gone.

But if she had to die, it would be fitting that Kaito would be the one to do it. It was only fair.

She closed her eyes and trembled.

The point of a blade touched her throat. So this was it. At least this was her chance to get her wish fulfilled. And even so, she barely dared to hope, that maybe, just maybe, she could see Len again.

The sword wavered and scratched lightly at her throat, then disappeared.

Rin opened her eyes to see Kaito standing over her, sword pointed at the ground, looking just as bewildered as she felt.

"You were smiling," he murmured confusedly in answer to her questioning gaze.

Surprised, a delicate hand jumped to her lips.

"I- I was?" Rin said, barely remembering to lower her voice to match Len's.

"Why?"

Rin looked down at her hands where they lay folded in her lap, unable to keep Kaito's intense gaze.

"I suppose it's because I don't have much to live for anymore."

"The princess meant that much to you?"

Rin smiled sadly. "Yes." Enough to die for her.

There was a long pause.

"What's stopping you from killing yourself then?"

Rin looked up, confused.

"Why are you so curious?" she asked.

Embarrassed, Kaito blushed and looked away. "I don't really know. Just morbid curiosity, I guess."

Rin blinked. He was surprisingly awkward. She expected him to be more suave with his handsome face. It was Kaito's good looks were what drew her to him originally. Never even having spoken to him, she would stare at his picture for hours at a time before she decided she had to have him as her own.

"I'll answer your question if you answer one of mine," she said.

Kaito blinked in surprise. "Um, alright. So why are you still, erm, here?" He gestured broadly.

Rin closed her eyes again, and sighed. Len. "My brother gave his life for me once. I couldn't waste his last sacrifice."

"Oh." Gravel crunched softly underfoot as Kaito shifted uncomfortably.

"Then why didn't you fight me?" he asked softly.

She blinked. Len was a good fighter, and Kaito knew that. They had clashed blades when they were fleeing into the inner sanctum of her castle. If she had even tried to draw the sword, Kaito would have known the difference. And she would have lost badly. But she couldn't tell him that.

"If anyone deserved to kill me, it would be you," she said instead. Why was she telling him all this? Well, he deserved to know.

Kaito shifted his weight from foot to foot and didn't look at her.
"Oh," he said again. A look of conflicted contemplation crossed his face. Shaking his head, Kaito cleared his expression. "And your question?"

"Why didn't you kill me?" she asked, almost demanded.

Kaito stared at her for a moment, pained.

"There's a difference between killing someone in the heat of battle or even sending someone to the guillotine and killing someone coldblooded with your own hands," he said slowly.

"Oh." Rin felt numb.

"I thought you might have known that already." Kaito looked at her oddly.

Rin stiffened. He wasn't catching on, was he? No, the look in his eye wasn't suspicion. It was pity.

"No. You might be good with a sword, but you were a butler, not a warrior. You wouldn't have been sent into battle." Kaito paused, then added, "Miku... Miku was the only person you'd ever killed, am I right?"

Rin hesitated, then nodded. She had sent him to threaten people before, but she had only ordered him to kill one person. When Len killed the green girl, had he killed her in cold blood? Or had she been killed in the heat of battle? Somehow, she doubted it was the latter. That was worse, wasn't it? Her heart clenched. What had she put her brother through?

ЯNЖИR

Kaito tore his gaze away from the figure on the ground and ran his hand irritably through his hair. This kid couldn't be older than fourteen but he had already killed in cold blood. For someone else nonetheless.

"Well, shit," he said running his hand through his hair again. "And you did this because your bitch of a princess wanted you to?"

Kaito heard a strangled intake of breath and glanced back at the figure on the ground. His fists were clenched into the fabric of his pants, and his head was tilted downwards.

"Yes," was a breathy, pained sigh, accompanied with the unmistakable drip of crystal tears and the beginning of the shakes of suppressed sobs.

Kaito swore, and lifted a hand to run through his hair again. This kid. He killed Miku, but he was ordered to. He helped the Daughter of Evil during her reign but he obviously saw something in her that had inspired incredible loyalty. And to top it off, some sort of tragedy had happened to his brother. Despite Kaito's first impression, he wasn't a bad kid. And he couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Sighing, Kaito sheathed his sword, then grabbed him by an elbow pulled him to his feet. The boy's startled blue eyes still glistened with tears.

"Look, we've both been lost a lot in this war. You especially, from the looks of it." Kaito sighed. "At least my side won." Not to mention, he still had his family back at home and his country was still intact.
"Do you still want to eat with us?" he suggested, "We can go our separate ways in the morning."

Wide eyed, the boy pulled his arm from Kaito's grip. Shaking his head, he said hastily in that high, unbroken voice of his, "No thank you, I really should get moving."

Meiko came up from behind the kid and plopped her chin and arms onto his shoulders. He jumped as if he had been shocked, then almost buckled at the added weight.

"Where did you come from?"

Meiko ignored him.

"Seeing as you're not about to kill him anymore, I suppose we're having him over for dinner?"

Kaito shook his head. "He's got to go or something."

Meiko unconcernedly played with the boy's hair as he tried to disentangle himself from her. "Oh, that's too bad. Here's your bag by the way. You're out of food too."

"What?" he exclaimed, "I was sure I still had some bread in there..." He trailed off as he pulled out a napkin littered with crumbs.

Meiko wiped her mouth guiltily.

"You ate my bread? The entire loaf?"

"Well I was hungry!"

The kid put one hand on his hip and jabbed one finger at Meiko's chest. "That doesn't mean you can steal my food!"

Kaito stifled a chuckle. The kid looked too much like a girl sometimes, with his hands on his hips like that and with his lips pursed angrily. He'd grow up to be a lady killer though, once he got a bit taller and his voice broke. Just look at how Kaito turned out.

Meiko crossed her arms. "I thought you were going to die! What else would I do with your food?"

The kid faltered, probably unnerved by the reminder of his close encounter with Kaito's sword, and his expressive blue eyes wavered. "Oh."

Meiko sighed then plopped her hand on his head. "Just stick around for dinner, alright? I doubt you'll get where you want before nightfall."

The boy shook his head. "I-It's alright. I really should go."

Meiko scoffed. "And where would you go, kid? We haven't killed you yet. And if you stay, we'll feed you."

"We won't bite," Kaito added, "Not unless you try and kill us in our sleep, but I think that's unlikely."

The kid wrapped his cloak more firmly around him and hesitated, just for a moment, before nodding.

"Alright then!" Kaito exclaimed. "Now what was your name again? I can't keep calling you kid in my head."

A hint of a genuine smile graced the kid's lips before he said, "Len."

There. That's the first chapter. The next one should be up pretty soon. Please please please tell me what you think. Did the shift in tense throw you off during that scene from Message of Regret? Did you like Rin? I'm worried about her characterization. How was Kaito? Did his reaction sound natural? Did the scenes seem too short? Did Rin's reactions sound natural? DID YOU LIKE IT? I'm the nervous kind of writer, can't you tell? Yeah, okay. Carry on.