Never Let Me Go

And I've always lived like this
Keeping a comfortable, distance
And up until now
I had sworn to myself that I'm content
With loneliness
Because none of it was ever worth the risk
But, you are, the only exception

The Only Exception - Paramore

"Are you two fighting?" Gakupo asked carefully.

Silence, neither Kaito nor I was willing to answer that. This ultimately made things more awkward.

"Uh..." Len walked beside me and smiled.

"Obaa-chan is making lunch for us. Why don't we try to do something to show our gratitude?"

I smiled and nodded my head in agreement.

"I'm sure that would make her very happy. Why don't we ask Piko to help us?" I offered.

"I'll go find him!" Rin practically ran off before anyone gave a response.

"Well, I'm going to go hangout near the lake." Kaito began to walk off.

"Yeah me too" Gakupo chimed.

"Try not to drown little brother." Kaito smirked in response.

Once Rin and Piko returned together we decided to bake a carrot cake. We all crowded the kitchen looking for ingredients.

We spent hours baking. Needless to say, it really didn't need to take this long but we all had a hard time following the directions. Compared to everyone's, Len's carrot cake came out the best.

I decided to step out to catch my breath. I needed some fresh air.

It was unexpectedly dark out. Our cool sunny afternoon was fading and the moon began to peek through. The sunset was breathtaking.

I noticed a presence near and glanced around the corner.

Yuuma was by himself again sweeping the cherry blossom petals. Crows surrounded him in an ominous manner.

"Yuuma?" I seem to always catch him alone. He looked up and nodded in my direction.

"Are you looking for your friends, Hime-sama?" It was so strange that Yuuma's voice was so deep and rich. His quiet and shy manners gave me the impression that he'd have a soft spoken voice.

I shook my head in response.

"They'll come around once they smell food." I laughed lightly.

"I hope you can join us for dinner." He looked away.

I noticed a pink petal was stuck in his hair. I immediately stepped forward; closing the gap between us without me even realizing what our stance looked like from afar.

"Kneel down a little." He didn't object to my commands and kneeled a bit to my height. Yuuma was like a gentle giant. He was quite tall, even taller than Gakupo!

"There we go!" I smiled, "While sweeping, some of the cherry petals got stuck in your hair."

He nodded in thanks. I stepped back and saw a figure walking away. I didn't need to guess who saw me. I already knew.

During dinner I sat in the middle with Len to my left and Yuuma to my right. I coaxed him into going, although, truthfully I mostly commanded him to go.

I didn't really like this master, servant pretense Yuuma and I somehow developed. It's just not right.

Kaito didn't eat with us.

"Hey, where's the other dummy." Rin stared at the empty seat beside her and looked at me.

"He said he wasn't feeling well. I think we lazed around too much today. You have a beautiful shrine, Kohaku-chan." Gakupo winked.

"Thank you dear. I owe it all to both Piko and Yuuma. They have truly helped plenty." She glanced at the empty seat, "I hope your friend gets well."

Unexpectedly Rin stood up.

"I'll check on him." She announced.

We watched as she walked out. I noticed Piko's clouded blue eyes lingered a bit longer.

(Rin POV)

I stood outside the door debating whether or not if I should bust the door open. I mean, I could walk in and this weirdo could be randomly changing! Should I announce myself?

I shook my head and slammed the door open.

Since when did I ever give this guy any consideration?

"Hey, why did you skip dinner, dummy!"

I stood in the doorway with my hands on my hips.

Naturally he ignored me. He just lay on the floor like a bump on the log.

I don't understand why this guy pisses me off so much, but he just does. I think our initial meeting was the cause.

All I can remember was Luka talking about her childhood friend with a bittersweet expression. Sometimes she was happy telling us her favorite memories. Most times she was a bit sad. So when I saw how he didn't stand up for her on that Christmas eve night I couldn't forgive him. I hated it. I didn't want Luka to feel in pain because for some reason I felt it; and it hurt.

I jumped on his back and glanced at his expression.

I can see why Luka puts up with his stupidity. He is handsome; but still an idiot.

"What are you doing, Rin?" He groaned and sat up.

"What's up with you? Obaa-chan cooked dinner for everyone."

He rubbed his eyes and yawned.

"I'm sorry, I fell asleep after coming back inside."

I stared at him for a moment.

"What-"

"Something happened." I stated. His eyes flickered and he looked down.

"Rin...It's not like that...I just fell asleep." I narrowed my eyes.

"You're a terrible liar." I sighed.

"I can see right through you. So, what happened this time?"

He smirked and ruffled my hair.

"Hey!" I caught his eyes and immediately saw pain. He looked so hurt in such a brief moment.

And just in that split second I felt my heart sink. Just like how I felt Luka's pain...I felt his.

"You can see a lot." He admitted.

Why did I care how he felt? This was so weird...

"Nothing can get past these eyes!" I said proudly.

"You'll be one scary woman when you're older."

I rolled my eyes.

"Quit changing the subject. I already know it's about her."

I sat down beside him. He stayed perfectly quiet not replying. I figured he wouldn't open up that easily.

"You adults really don't communicate well. I'm sure if you just told her the truth I can promise you she'd listen." I fell back against the floor.

"What's the point being miserable and never living your life? Mama always said to listen to your feelings." I yawned and found myself closing my eyes.

Luka (POV)

After dinner Meiko decided to take a bath. I was simply too tired to join tonight.

I sighed. Rin was taking a while but I didn't have the nerve to go get her. I was becoming a wimp. I stood up, she took long enough. I figured she must be running him ragged. She always liked to bully Kaito.

The sliding door opened. My eyes widened at the sight.

Rin was sleeping in Kaito's arms. He carried her like a princess. It somehow was such an adorable sight. Like a big brother lovingly carrying his little sister.

I motioned for him to come in as I grabbed Rin's futon.

"I'm so surprised to see her asleep! She's too prideful to fall asleep in front of others...She must trust you." He laughed as he gently laid her down.

"I don't know about that."

I moved her hair off her forehead and glanced at Kaito.

"Thanks for bringing her."

He smiled a true one. The breathtaking one I always loved. I felt my heart speed up and my cheeks burn.

"No problem." He stood up and walked to leave. I had this overpowering feeling that I didn't want him to go but I was scared.

My heart pounded loudly in my ears as I watched him walk out the room. Why can't I stop him? Why am I so scared?

Why does it terrify me so much that I'm in love with Kaito?

The next day rolled around and it was time to go. Saying goodbye was hard but I knew I'd come back again very soon. It felt nice sharing my favorite place with my friends. It's hard to believe I actually have people that genuinely care for me as much as I do for them.

I know what it feels like to have people smile to your face and not mean it. I know what it feels like to have people just hate you, just because it was just me and nothing else. I knew what it was like to constantly be hurt and ridiculed by the world.

So having these people in my life mean everything to me. Because I know I don't walk on this earth alone anymore...And for a very long time I thought I did.

I love this story. Never Let Me Go means the world to me. When I first started this story, I was barely 16/17. Now I'm 20. I don't like to think about my age but I wrote this story while I went through many stages in my life. And I just enjoy how much I have developed Luka's character. She was someone who depended on Kaito and was often very insecure. But she grew as a person, and I'm very proud that I was able to write this story.

Thanks you guys for keeping up with this story. It means the world to read your comments.

Xoxo

Ghostly