A Goodbye

I bite my lip as my gaze flickers towards the long emptied castle. My grip tightens around the camera in my hands. The dark gray bricks were crumbling, ivy and moss were starting to grow through the cracks. I push through the twisted iron gate, worn, rusted and bending. There's a clap of thunder and I cringe. Was this really worth the hundred bucks? Probably not. But I needed it...food and rent tend to be things I need. With a deep sigh I kick pebbles up the once cobble stoned path.

"Who would want pictures of this place anyway?" I grumble to myself as I reach the front door. Wind whooshes past me, carrying the smell of rain. Lightening lights the sky and I twist the handle before slamming my hip into it. The door opens slightly. I huff my bangs out of my eyes before hitting my hip again, and again. The crack becomes large enough for me to squeeze through. My hip burns slight before the pain disappears. I slip through the crack and stumble into the castle.

"Oh my.." I gasp as my eyes widen as I take in the castle. It looked like it hadn't aged a day! I let my camera fall around my neck and rub my eyes before squinting around the room.

"This is..." I trail off as I turn back to the large window...yet none looked broken like before. I gulp, my skin tingling as I pull out the directions with a trembling hand. This place gives me the creeps and I want to get out as soon as possible. So I can go home. To my safe bed and forget this ever happened.

"Okay...so...up the stairs.." I look toward them and nod before turning back to my paper. "Take a left and follow that till the first left. Continue forward until you hit the rose bush."

It wasn't that hard...but I just really didn't want to. I take a deep breath to calm down before sprinting up the stairs and taking a quick left. I didn't care how anything looked, I didn't care what hung on the walls. All I wanted to do was get my butt out of here. And fast. The lights that lit the place flicker as thunder claps. Goosebumps race up and down my back. Don't you dare think about the lights being on. I threaten myself as I turn left again and stop at the door. As I clench my teeth I slam my side against the heavy wood door, only to be thrown to the ground. I instinctively shield my camera as I hit the ground.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch." I chant as I push myself up and glare at the door. Stupid door. I stand quickly and shiver as a cool wind slams against me. It was going to rain soon.. I clench my teeth and turn, walking forward before I zero in on the rose bush. Queue mental victory dance for me. I smile faintly before walk-jogging to the bush. The blood red roses glowed faintly. There lush green leaves spilling over each other. Large roses the size of my hand littered the luscious plant. I bring my camera up and flick it on.

"Say cheese." I mutter as I raise it to my eye. I focus in on the flower before clicking the button. It flashes and I relax, letting my camera fall around my neck. Done. Why didn't this guy just ask me to pick one? I reach forward quickly-

"Hey-" and snap the stem of a rose. The leaves curl and turn black, the roses turn brown before their petals fall off. The leaves scatter in the wind. I glance down at the rose in my hand in horror as I twist it's stem, a thorn pricks me and I yelp in shock, dropping the rose. It turns to dust and swirls against the ground.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" a voice thunders behind me. My eyes widen as I turn, taking in the male. His sandy blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail and he wore what looked like an olden days suit...as in Victorian age old. His sea green eyes glared at me lividly. I blink and he's towering over me.

"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU HAVE DONE YOU FOOL?!" he yells at me as he grabs my hand and squeezes.

"I...I...I..." I stammer in utter terror, his grip falls from my hand. The male shudders before dropping to the ground like a brick. I was hyperventilating as I race towards the door I came through. I launch the door open and race through the hallway, skidding as I turn. The boy from before raises from the floor, his arms crossed, his face one of rage. I scream at the translucent figure before sliding, trying to stop. My knees hit the floor as I turn and race back the other way. Adrenaline raced through my veins from fear. My heart pounded in my ears as my legs started to feel like jelly.

"Stop." the voice orders. I freeze. My eyes widen in horror as I attempt to move. I was frozen...in fear. My eyes travel down as he raises through the floor.

"You break into my castle. You destroy my roses and you run around screaming like banshee." he growls at me. I don't think I would've moved even if I could.

"Now you hold my curse you pathetic woman." he snarls. I fall to the floor suddenly.

"And now you can't leave." he barks before disappearing from sight. I push to my legs, panting, as I throw myself at the doors. I slam against the cobblestone and hiss in pain as I break skin.

"I've got to get out, I've got to get away." I mutter as I race for the iron gate. Electricity snaps at me and I fall back. My eyes widen in horror as I slam against the gate only to fall back roughly again. Rain pours down. I was quickly getting soaked and I hunch over on my knees. Protecting my camera.

"Come inside before you catch your death." he murmurs in the wind. A sob bubbles on my lips and I push off the ground before staggering back inside the castle.

"See, now that's better." I glance up to find him laying on the railing of the third floor. He points to the ceiling as if admiring the paintings.

"Since you'll be here a while. I am Prince Len." he lets his hand fall and he rolls to the side, disappearing before reappearing before me. My lips tremble from the cold...? The fear...?

"And you are?" he asks looking me over critically.

"Rin." I whisper.

"Rin?" he asks raising an eyebrow.

"Yea, just Rin.." I answer softly.

"Interesting." he muses before disappearing.

"You can go where ever you like. You'll obviously know where you can't." his voice whispers from everywhere.

"I'll have my servants show you to your room." Len says as he reappears at the top of the stairs, he raises a hand and countless translucent figures raise from the floor, walk through walls and fall from the ceiling.

I scream in horror before falling backwards...my eyes falling closed.

~~

I felt a headache coming on. Groaning, I slowly open my eyes. It was pitch black. I wave my hand before my face before smacking myself in the nose.

"Gah.." I grumble as I rub my sore nose in pain. My eyes widen. Where am I? I quickly feel around, smooth rock...defiantly not a bed. I quickly slip off and slowly walk towards where I hoped the door would be.

"H-hello?" I stammer into the darkness. Open or closed my eyes were useless. I feel along the wall to find my way out of the room I was in.

"Hello?" I call, my voice echoes slightly. Okay..so now I am probably in a hallway.

"Hello-" my hand touches nothing and I fall forward. I shriek as I tumble down a small set of stairs before stoping. I cling to my ankle in pain. The lights blink on and I squint in the light.

"What's going..on..?" I turn to find Len standing in the doorway. He looks me over before sighing and massaging his temple in what looked like annoyance.

"Are you alright?" he asks with a sigh as he lets his hand fall and offers it to me.

"No. I don't know where I am, my ankle hurts and I want to go home." I snap angrily through tears. A flicker of a smile flashes across Len's face as he offers me a hand.

"I can fix two of those." he answers. I look at his hand skeptically and he brings it closer. I inch back.

"You won't go through me." he sighs. I take his hand, and to my surprise, he wraps his fingers around my hand and helps me up.

"You are in the basement, I usually don't light the basement..I much effort on my part. When I said lay you to rest they must've taken it literally." he muses as he leads me out. I freeze, goosebumps running up my arm.

"L-literally?" I gulp, looking back to find nothing but large concrete boxes. My eyes widen.

"You tried to kill me?!" I yelp as I pull my hand away quickly.

"Something that's died can't hold a curse." he tsks before looking back to me. I glare at him.

"Does that mean you're here?" I wave my hand around to the boxes.

"No." he answers simply. I clench my eyes shut.

"Okay. I won't go anywhere, unless you answer my questions. You aren't here? To much effort? Curse? Ghosts?" I ask, before opening my eyes.

"I am so glad I died before this age. So vague." he sneers before straightening. "No, my body is not here. I keep the castle lit and well kept. Yes, I am a ghost. Yes, they are ghosts. No, we are not ghosts right now. And yes, a curse. A curse that I intend to keep using." he ticks off each answer before offering his elbow to me.

"I answered, now come upstairs." he orders.

"Oooh no! No. Why isn't your body here? What do you mean not ghosts right now? What curse?!" I yelp as I throw my hands up. Len drops his elbow and turns to me.

"I don't know where it is! I am technically alive right now. The curse lets me be alive like this." he growls as he narrows his eyes at me.

"I'm confused." I grumble.

"I was murdered. I don't know where my body is. I can't move on until I find my body. I CAN'T find my body because I can't leave the castle. I can't leave the castle because it'll fall apart. If it falls apart, the curse is gone. If the curse is gone, I can't have my body moved. And if my body doesn't move I'll continue to stay here for all eternity alone!" he snarls at me. I take a step back and wince.

"Wait. So if I help you find your body...I can leave?" I ask, smiling slightly. Len blinks at me.

"Yes." he answers. I smile widely and march up the stairs, ignoring the dull pain in my ankle.

"Great! Okay, now do you have any clues? Any at all? Hmm...maybe your here on the property? Or perhaps somewhere else?" I muse aloud as I walk into the main lobby.

"Hold on. You actually plan to help me?" Len asks. I turn to look at him.

"Yes? I want to go home." I sniff. He frowns before breezing past me.

"No."

"No?!" I yelp.

"I can't let you." he says. I glare at him.

"Look here dead guy. I am the only one that CAN help you. I just happen to be alive." I boast as I point to myself. He looks me over skeptically.

"Mm...yes. Quite so." he muses before turning his back to me.

"What's that suppose to mean?!" I shriek.

"It means you aren't helping. I can't have a curse if my cursed object dies." he says as he waves his hand back a me. I clench my teeth together as I narrow my eyes at him.

"You spoiled little Prince." I seethe. Len stops before turning to look at me with uncaring green eyes.

"Shouldn't that be a compliment? I don't want you to die?" he asks emotionlessly. I slam my foot on the ground.

"Only because you don't want to be a ghost-ghoul THING! I'm going to help you. And you CAN'T stop me." I hiss lowly at him. He bows his head slightly before raising it, a wicked smile twisted across his face.

"Oh, but that is where you are wrong darling." he says in a sickly sweet voice as he throws his hand out to me. I freeze, my eyes wide as Len walk towards me slowly. I felt as if a snake was constricting around me.

"I'll say it again, and I really don't like repeating myself. You will stay here, and not get involved. I do not want you to die. Now. This is my castle, and I have so kindly offered it to you. Say thank you." he orders in a voice dripping with fake sweetness.

"T-thank you." I choke out. He fake smiles at me before moving his hand away, I crumble to the floor and he makes a face.

"Do not order me around in my own castle." he hisses before turning and walking away. I glare at the marble floor before pushing up and strutting out the front door. After one more withering look around the castle I wrench the door open and march out. Letting the door slam behind me.

~~

I sigh as I raise the camera to my eye and click at the trees.

"How boring." I grumble as I let the camera fall. I've taken tons of pictures of nature and there was nothing exciting about it. There's a loud snap behind me and I turn quickly.

"Who's that!?" I demand angrily. I swear, if it's another ghost I'll- A taller guy steps out from behind a tree, his hands raised. I yelp. I wasn't really expecting a person. A rabbit? Yes. A ghost? Kinda. A person? No.

"W-what are you doing here? This is private property." I snap as I narrow my eyes at the guy. Should I threaten him with a stick? He moves his black hair away from his brown eyes and winces.

"I was just trying to find my way out of the woods. Cool it killer. I'm not a murderer or anything." he jokes. I frown. That's not funny.

"All joking aside, I seriously need help." he says as he bends over and pulls his pant leg up. A large gash was seeping blood down into his white socks and black shoes.

"Ouch." I wince as I take him in, before looking back at the castle. Should I even be talking to this guy? I am in woods I know nothing about...this guy could be a murderer. I cringe. The last thing I want is to be stuck here as a ghost with a pissed Prince.

"I don't think-" I pause. Len will be pissed if I brought him back though. I smile widely. "You shouldn't stand on that, let's get you inside." I muse as I rush to his side to give him something to lean on. Please don't let him be a creepy murderer, I pray to my lucky stars.

"Where are we going exactly..?" he asks after a silent pause.

"Some place awesome." I grumble sarcastically as we break away from the tree line.

"You've got to be kidding me." he groans as I pull away and open the door. Or at least try to, the door doesn't budge.

"Oh come on." I complain as I kick the door roughly before trying the knob again. It opens slowly and I groan as I push it open completely. Darn it Len, you and you stupidly heavy doors.

"This is-" he starts. I smirk; I get this guy to help me, I find Len's body, I go home. Everyone's happy.

"Cool right?" I ask turning to smile at him. He limps inside and I push the door shut, the click echoes throughout the castle. I wince.

"Wow, it looks so broken on the outside, this is amazing." he breaths.

"It is, isn't it." Len muses. I jump and turn to face him, his eyes glowing green eyes on me.

"Oh! Look at that! This is Len, Len meet-" I trail off.

"Rei." the guy in question states.

"Pleasure to meet you." Len sniffs before grabbing my hand. "Wait a moment." he orders Rei before pulling me away.

"What do you think you are doing?" he hisses as he glares at me.

"I can't help a guy in trouble?" I ask innocently.

"You didn't even know his name." he deadpans. "He could been a murderer or worse."

"But. He wasn't." I counter. Len glowers at me.

"Oh, he'll only be here for a bit. Don't freak him out." I sigh as I wave a hand as if to brush him off. Len raises an eyebrow at me.

"Me? Never." he smirks evilly before turning back to Rei.

"Rin was just telling me how you are dying to see the rest of the castle." he muses. I pale. You've got to be kidding me.

"Yea, this place is killer." Rei agrees.

"It feels kind of dead to me, I should go see if I can liven it up a bit." Len smirks as he turns his back on Rei. He smirks at me in amusement.

"I don't want its blood on my floor. Go clean him up." he orders me as he breezes past.

"Y-yes." I stammer, as I stumble to Rei's side. Len disappears into a black doorway and I sigh.

"Older brother, huh?" Rei muses. I blink.

"Ah..more like cousins?" I wince as I help Rei towards who knows where.

"Oh, really? He seems really overbearing." he grumbles. Yes he is.

"That's just the way he is. Family's like this." I fake laugh as I hold up intertwined fingers.

"So you have a close family?" he asks as I pull him into the bathroom.

"Yup." I lie.

"I take it he likes reenactments?" Rei asks as he sits on the side of the tub. Len's outfit. I almost smack my forehead.

"I- ya know- oh! Here!" I say as I throw a washcloth at him.

"Thanks, Princess." Rei mocks. I blink and turn back to look at him. His skin was completely black, his brown eyes slit like a cats. I yelp as I fall back against the door.

"I'm so glad you let me in this place." he barks a laugh as his body shifts and slams his claws against the tile, smashing it.

"Not a murderer, but a demon. You sure know how to pick them." Len muses from beside me. The demon cackles and launches at me.

"Len!" I shriek as I clench my eyes shut. Coldness washes over me. My eyes fly open and I find myself sitting on a small ledge overlooking what seemed to be a ballroom. I rock forward dangerously.

"Don't do that." Len warns in my ear as he pulls me back.

"What was that?" I demand.

"A demon." Len answers as he appears beside me sitting.

"I-I didn't mean to bring it in." I stammer as the beast slams through the double doors into the room, throwing and ripping things apart.

"Next time, you'll listen to me." Len muses as he falls forward, landing softly on his feet.

"That's enough." he orders, throwing his hands out, the objects thrown freeze before going back to their places.

"Len?!" I shriek, the beast looks up at me and hisses lowly before jumping at me. I scream and rock back in horror. The beast freezes in midair in front of me, it's brown slitted eyes even with mine. It's hot breath washes over me and I struggle to take a breath. It's there for a fraction of a second before it's slammed onto the floor. White flames came off Len, his held out hand to the beast.

"Don't you dare touch that." he snarls at the beast. The room turns cold, and I shudder, and slip forward. I struggle to regain my balance, but fail and start to fall. I squeak in shock as wind rushes past me. Len throws a hand out to me and I slam against a bed roughly.

I groan as I push up against the plush blanket. Tremors ripple through the castle and I slip off the bed.

"Len." I breath, starting for the door.

"I don't think so miss." a soft voice says as I'm pulled back onto the bed.

"Stop that!" I order as I thrash around wildly.

"Oh dear, you are a feisty one." the voice giggles before a small girl appears before me. Her hands folded before her as she smiles at me. She blinks at me with soft hazel eyes that matched her freckled face and sandy hair.

"Who are you!? Is Len okay?" I demand as I cross my arms over my chest.

"He's taking care of the demon. I am Luka. He has requested that I not let you leave." she says as she curtsies. I fight to glare at her for keeping me here, but can't. She was being too nice to me.

"I'm Rin." I sigh as I fall back onto the bed.

"I know dear. Master has requested me to take care of you while your with us." she says as she appears beside my bed. I groan as I look at her.

"You won't let me off this bed will you?" I sigh, looking at her hopefully. She giggles before shaking her head no. Snarls echo throughout the castle. Glass clinks and I stare at the window, spider like cracks form before coming together again and disappearing.

"Oh my, it seems like you brought in quite a nasty one." Luka muses brightly. My eyes widen as I sit up quickly.

"And Len is fighting that?! With what? His ghost powers?" I snort at the idea, but a fight like that would actually be intense to watch. Luka shifts uncomfortably before looking away. Oh..now I'm getting somewhere. I raise an eyebrow at her. If I had any hope of getting home, I had to know just what was happening here.

"Luka, what's he fighting against the demon with?" I ask sweetly as I slide towards her. She takes a step back and shakes her head quickly.

"Luka, just a tiny hint, you're suppose to take care of me right?" I ask with a gentle smile as I bat my eyelashes at her.

"She's suppose to take care of her master first." Len hisses. I groan as I throw myself back on the bed. Well that plan didn't go as well as planned. Len pops into existence before the bed.

"Len: 2,000, Rin: zip." I grumble sarcastically before sitting up again. Len was flicking black ooze off his hands as he glares at me.

"Rin. Be nice to your maids." he orders. I glare at him.

"Tell me what your hiding." I demand.

"Don't disobey orders."

"Let me help you."

"You already helped enough."

"I wouldn't have brought that stupid guy/demon in if you had just let me help you!" I snarl at him. He glares at me murderously before his expression softens.

"You just want to have something to do, yes?" he asks. I blink in confusion. Where was this coming from? I mean, yea it was boring. But giving me something to do wouldn't get me home.

"Yes?" I question suspiciously.

"Tomorrow then. Tomorrow, you will have something to do and...we can go out." he grumbles in defeat.

"Go out?" I ask in confusion.

"You want to help me?" he snaps angrily. My eyes widen as I jump off the bed.

"Yes! Yes I do!" I say excitedly.

"Good. Luka, don't let her leave this room." he orders the maid before smirking at me and disappearing.

"What?!" I shriek, laughter rolls off the walls as I fume.

~~

"Put this here, put that there." I mock as I place an elegantly decorated bowl on the piano. Maids and Butlers rush past me and I glare at the flickering candles skeptically. Len hasn't appeared anywhere, and oddly all the lights were off. In the two days that I had been here, they had always been on. Golden rays shine through the window and I heave a sigh of relief. Almost dusk, which meant going out and bedtime.

"Rin! I've been looking everywhere for you!" Luka pants as she stands before me, her hands on her knees as she tries to catch her breath.

"Why..?" I ask in confusion. She smiles widely and straightens before hooking her arm through mine.

"You'll see, you'll see." she giggles as as drags me back to my room. "Now what color? Perhaps a blue color? It'll match your blonde curls.. Oh perhaps green to match your eyes!" she rambles. I blink in utter confusion. Color? She releases me and runs for the closet.

"Oh, I know." she breaths as she pulls out a white dress. I cover my mouth in awe.

"I can't wear that!" I tell her through my hands. She scoffs at me before throwing the dress on the bed.

"Of course you can dear." she scoffs as she turns to look at me deviously before she launches herself at me.

The sun was completely set, and candles were placed everywhere. Luka walks around me before clapping her hands together happily.

"You look marvelous." she compliments. I wince as I lift part of the dress.

"I feel like the Victorian era ate me then spit this out." I grumble, Luka smacks my arm and I laugh uneasily.

"I was kidding." I sigh as I look in the mirror. The white did make me look tanner though. Lots of frills, layers and glittery jewels. I had to admit, I looking pretty awesome. My hair has been pulled and pinned on top of my head. A large white flower placed in the center of the bun. Straps hung off my shoulders, and ruffled out. The dress hugged my hips before spilling out into a layer of glitter, it unevenly covered the pinned up layer of white underneath. My feet were hidden from sight, but I still wore glittering white flats. My face took the longest, after much pinching and pulling, I glowed, my blue eyes standing out more then they would have.

"You look gorgeous." Luka says, admiring her work.

"So she is." Len breaths. I turn fast to find Len leaning against my bed. He was a lighter color then he usually was, more transparent then anything else.

"Are you okay?" I ask in shock as he bows his head and muses his bangs.

"I am fine." he answers as he stands. "Luka, go get ready." he orders lightly.

"Get ready? What's going on?" I ask suspiciously as Luka rushes out. Granted it wasn't normal to play dress up, but I didn't think it was anything but that! Len smiles widely as laughter and voices are heard below. I narrow my eyes at him and he offers me a hand. Skeptically, I take his hand and he places it on his inner elbow. The door to my room flys open and cold wind hits me. I blink repeatedly and find myself on the stairs above the ballroom. The room was littered with people in elegant dresses and attire.

"What's this...?" I ask through clenched teeth that were in a smile. Len's image shudders slightly as he looks at me before shushing me.

"Introducing Prince Len and his escort, Rin." a voice echoes through the room. The people towards us before clapping slowly. Okay..I am officially lost. Len disappears before reappearing quickly, completely solid and not transparent. He releases my arm and steps forward.

"I would like to humbly welcome you to my home. Now, as you already know on most days such as this, you can contact your loved ones for only one night." he addresses to the crowd, a smile flickers across his face. "And I must say, they are dying to be reunited with you." I almost smack my forehead...but if I had I would've missed it. Len bows his head and the candles flick out, there's a moment of darkness before the lights come on. I gasp and cover my mouth in shock as the spaces between the people are filled. Ghosts stand completely visible and solid before their loved ones. Cries and sobs echo throughout the room.

"Amazing." I breath, touched by the scene.

"It's called dance of the dead. One day of the month, the dead will show themselves and walk among the living again." Len muses as he watches over the crowd. Cold wind brushes past me and a small boy runs past.

"Mother!" he cries, throwing himself off the bottom step and into his mothers arms.

"This is..." I trail off, unsure of the right word.

"Awful." Len sighs.

"Awful?!" I ask harshly. He muses his hair and turns to look through the doorway.

"Mother." he says stiffly, crossing his arms. Mother? I turn quickly and almost faint. A tall woman steps through the doorway, feature hugging dress trailing behind her.

"Len, I told you to be more kind, you know I hate repeating myself. Oh my! Who is this lovely lady? I am Meiko, Queen Meiko. It is so nice to meet you. You look marvelous, simply ravishing." she looks between me and Len. "Oh. Oh! Is she the one Len? Am I finally going to hear the sounds of little feet through out the castle? Perhaps? Don't let her slip away deary." she coos as she pinches his cheeks as if he was 5, I bite back a giggle.

"No mother. She isn't the one, I'm just escorting her." he sighs as he brushes her hand away. She pouts slightly before turning to me.

"Don't mind him, he's always been mean." she whispers before patting my cheek and walking past us down the stairs.

"Well that was-"

"She doesn't know she's dead." he states. My eyes widen in horror.

"W-what?" I stammer.

"She doesn't realize she is dead, she only comes out on these days." he says quietly.

"How could she not know?" I whisper as I watch her.

"She died in her sleep." Len sighs.

"That's awful." I mutter, watching as she laughs and hugs a woman below.

"There's no use talking about it. Let's go." Len says softly as he offers me a hand. I take it easily and he leads me down the stairs to the floor. Music tinkles around the room and reunited family's dance together slowly. The ceiling was high like a church, with pictures of clouds and angels on it. A large chandelier hung in the middle of the room while smaller lights hung off the wall from twisted light fixtures. The white marble floor glittered from the light, large windows that came from the floor and almost the ceiling were open to expose and angry looking sky outside. We stop and Len twists me towards him. Taking my hand in his, while he puts the other on my back. I take a step back and he follows.

"I can't dance." I gulp as I nervously place my hand on his shoulder.

"Of course you can." he muses as he spins me across the floor. "I know I can't, but if you act like you can, you can." I roll my eyes at the statement as we waltz in-between families.

"Where's your dad?" I ask as I catch a glimpse of Meiko again.

"I don't know." Len says as he spins me again.

"Why isn't your mom with him?" I frown.

"Because mother hates him." Len says quietly as he sighs.

"What?" I gasp as I look up at him. Len's green eyes meet mine.

"In my day, marriage was for money and children. You didn't marry for love." he chuckles. I make a face.

"I know that. That's all we hear about in school-" I pause before my eyes eyes widen. "Your Prince Len. THE Prince Len. The one that had his father killed by an assassin, his mother was poisoned and then he was murdered the next day." I squeak with wide eyes.

"She was poisoned? Hm...I didn't know that." Len muses as we turn again. "No, I didn't kill my father or my mother. What they are teaching is obviously wrong. Why would I want to be crowned king if the kingdom was at war. Father would just get himself killed and then I could take over. No need to make it messy." he says as if he thought about it. I gulp.

"Prince Len." I breath in shock.

"At your service." he responds with a half smile.

"I've been cursed by Prince Len." I grumble, with a slight frown.

"Correction. You stole the curse. It wasn't my fault." he hums with the music. I frown at him as thunder claps outside.

"Looks like it's time." Len sighs as he lets his arms fall. My arms drop, only to be picked up again by Meiko's.

"Mother." Len demands as she spins me away from him.

"You are so gorgeous, I am glad Len has found you." she muses happily. I look back at Len, his arms were crossed as he tapped his foot in irritation.

"Ah..." I mumble.

"Straighten your back dear. He is always so mean and cruel, but I know you'll be good for him. Oh my dear, you have such beautiful blue eyes. I hope the kids get it from you." she rambles as she spins me around.

"Kids?"I yelp in horror.

"Keep up deary. Of course the kids! Grandkids. I only want 10. Oh, boys are such a handful, but you can handle it." she coos.

"10?! I'm only 17!" I yelp. Her eyes widen in horror as she stops.

"17?! Oh dear, you practically a grandmother! Beauty doesn't stay forever!" she cries.

"She's already engaged mother, do not make her feel embarrassed." Len sighs as he pulls me away from his mom. She narrows her eyes at him as she puts her hands on her hips.

"Is that anyway to talk to your mother?" she snaps. I smirk, so that's where he gets it from.

"My deepest apologize mother." he says as he bows before capturing her hand in his.

"Rin Lee wishes to see our lovely garden, so if you wouldn't mind me stealing her from you." he muses.

"Oh dear. Of course! Get her a coat, I don't want her to catch her death." she says as she moves her hand out of his and pats his cheek. He tugs my hand and I look at him in confusion before curtsying.

"I wouldn't let that happen." he says as he pulls me towards the door.

"Wait. Your going to leave? I thought you couldn't?" I ask in confusion. He shushes me with a look before we appear in my room.

"I can leave because mother is here." he sighs as he pats down his suit.

"What does she have to do with anything?" I ask as I make a circular hand motion with my finger. Len rolls his eyes before blinking out of existence.

"She is almost as powerful as me and won't let the castle change or crumble." his voice whispers. I shudder.

"It's creepy when you do that." I grumble as I pull off the dress and shove it to the floor.

"Want me to stand beside you?" he muses from the walls. I glare around the room as I slip on my pants.

"Don't even think about it!" I seethe as I pull on my sweatshirt. Chuckles echo and I throw the dress on the bed before slipping into a pair of shoes.

"Okay, I'm done." I sigh as I push my bangs out of my eyes.

"Let's go." he says as the doors to my room fly open. I roll my eyes and rush through the door..and follow the hallway to the next open door.

"You won't catch cold in that will you?" Len asks from in front of the door. I sigh as the doors fly open.

"No. I'll be fine." I grumble as I walk out of the door. Len walks beside me easily.

"Okay, so do you have any idea of where you are?" I ask as I look around the woods. Len makes a face.

"How should I know." he grumbles before turning to me. "It's dark?" he offers.

"Thank you captain obvious." I complain as I throw my hands up to the stormy sky.

"It's cold and wet." he adds. I massage my temples.

"Yep. That's exactly what it's like right now." I grumble. He glares at me and thunder claps as lightening lights the sky.

"Wait. You said it was cold..and wet." I say as I frown, pacing. "Perhaps you are in a lake?"

"I can swim." he sighs.

"Not when your dragged down."

"You do know men had to know how to fight."

"Maybe a weight?" I offer.

"No, I-" he freezes before shuddering before he takes off running.

"Len?!" I shriek as I try to run after him. "Len! Slow down! I can't keep up!" I yelp as I trip over a root. I groan and push off the ground, my knees covered in dirt and soaked through. I push my hair back and race forward. Rain pelts down on me.

"Len!" I scream, looking around the forest, everything looked the same it was impossible to see any father then a foot in front of me. My sweatshirt was soaked and it was freezing.

"Len!?" I scream as I fall forward, Len appears before me and easily catches me.

"I found it! I know where it is." he says brightly. He was glowing brightly as he motioned the way to go.

"This way- why are you all wet?" he asks frowning. I glare at him like a soaking cat in rain boots.

"I wonder." I seethe. He laughs slightly.

"Sorry, I forgot." he muses before motioning to follow. "We'll go back. As soon as you get this." he says as he motions at me again. I sigh and follow after him slowly.

"Len how far is it?" I ask over the sound of rain. He stops abruptly and I almost trip as I try to stop.

"Here." he says softly as he points down. I turn and squint at the castle.

"Why are you so far from the castle?" I ask in confusion, I could barely see the tallest tower.

"I don't know." he sighs. I look down and groan.

"I have to dig it up now?" I ask sadly.

"Yes! You might forget where it is." he snaps. I roll my eyes and drop to my knees. My jeans were done for anyway.

"Here?" I ask as I point a finger in the dirt. He crouches next to me and nods. Sighing, I grab a fistful of dirt and toss it to the side. I quickly move the mud to the sides. My nails hit something hard and I yelp in pain. Len snarls.

"Be careful!" he snaps in pain. I glare at him.

"I am!" I growl as I turn back to the hole I had. I clench my teeth to keep from screaming as I brush away dirt to expose a bone. Just think of your freedom. I shudder as I continue to wipe mud away.

"S-something's wrong." I stammer through clenched teeth. Len moves away and stands, his soft glow turning slightly brighter. I frantically dig around the area.

"What?" Len demands. I could feel tears starting to brim in horror.

"It's only an arm."

~~

I sneeze as I shiver under the blanket that was draped over my shoulders.

"Oh dear." Luka says softly. Len was pacing before me. The dance had long ended, ghosts and humans alike were gone. I squirmed from my seat on the bannister.

"Len-" I say softly. The fuming Prince snarls as he turns to me.

"What?!" he demands. I wince and he softens slightly.

"Forgive me." he sighs.

"Don't worry about it. What could've happened?" I ask.

"I don't remember. I CAN'T remember." he stresses. Thunder claps and he turns towards the door quickly.

"I don't have time to deal with this." he sneers before disappearing. "Turn it away." he orders through the walls. I sigh as Luka gasps and disappears from my side. A loud knock resounds through the castle and I stand quickly. Pulling the blanket closer, I open the door and blink at the face before me.

"Rin?" the soaking wet girl asks before throwing herself at me. I yelp as I slam to the floor.

"Miku?" I breath in shock.

"Oh my god. I remember you talking about coming up here. But after like two days of ignoring my calls I had to come after you!" My best friend gushes. I stare at her before smirking. Oh was she going to have a hay-day here. Not only did she like dead creepy things! But she also liked ghosts.

"I am so glad your here!" I laugh as I shove her off me, a new nice wet spot on my dry clothes from where she was.

"Me too. Man is it nice in here. No wonder you didn't leave." she whistles. I bite my lip to hide a smile.

"Don't say that. The owner will get a big head." I say excitedly. If I told her what happened she could help me and I could get out of here sooner. Win win. She sees dead people and I go home. My life was starting to seem like those awfulFriday night shows.

"Owner?" she asks as she wrinkles her nose at me. I giggle and pull on her hand.

"Oh yes. You wanna meet him?" I ask. She raises an eyebrow at me before leaning in.

"Are you high? This place has been abandoned since forever ago." she whispers. I roll my eyes and push her down to the ground. Hey, I don't want to have to catch her when she faints.

"Miku. I'd like you to meet..Prince Len." I say excitedly. Len's sigh echoes off the walls.

"I told you to get rid of it. Not invite it in." he grumbles as he raises through the floor beside me. Miku's eyes widen as she launches herself at Len, only to fall through him. There's a smack and I wince.

"Watch what's your doing." he tsks before stepping around her.

"Oh my god your dead!" she shrieks as she turns to look at me, then Len. Len looks at me in distaste.

"Isn't she bright." he grumbles. I sigh.

"Miku. Here. Come back down from cloud 9." I order as I kneel beside her. "Ghost boy- erm. Prince. Needs your help."

"What? Is he going to curse me?" she asks suspiciously. I wince.

"No. We need help finding his body." I grumble.

"Why would you want to help him find his-" she looks at me before snickering.

"You are so dumb. You went and got yourself cursed didn't you?" she laughs. I glare at her murderously. Either it was written all over me, or she really knew a lot about ghosts.

"Shut up!" I snap before waving my hands before me. "But no! You'll like this! His body is in pieces."

"May he rest in pieces." she snickers. The floor shakes slightly and I cringe. Len's temper was about to blow.

"Yea, haha. Anyway, we need your help-"

"To find the pieces because you can't leave his side. Yup I got that." she says holding up an 'okay' sign. Well that was easy.

"Hey. Since I am helping could I possibly, ya know.." she trails off in embarrassment as she stands. I stand and I blink in confusion.

"Could you..?" I trail off.

"See another ghost?" she asks excitedly.

"No." Len snaps. I glare at him and he glares back.

"How about something dead?" she offers.

"Keep talking and you can talk to yourself." he says evilly.

"No! He's kidding." I hiss at him before turning to Miku. "Luka!" I yell. Said maid appears before me, Miku claps her hands in delight. Luka looks from me to Len with wide eyes.

"Ahh..." she mumbles in embarrassment as she fidgets with her dress. Len groans and I smile at her encouragingly.

"Luka, your dismissed." Len orders. Luka bows lowly before disappearing in a whisp of white.

"Wonderful. Man, I wish I could meet whoever raised you. Talk about manners." Miku says as she sticks a tongue out at Len. Len glowers at her.

"I will kick you out." he says delicately, clenching his hands by his sides. I wince. He wasn't kidding.

"Miku, layoff. Anyway, you saw two ghosts, will you help us?" I ask hopefully. Miku makes a face before smiling slightly.

"Of course. I'd love to help a friend." she says softly, I heave a sigh of relief.

"You're a saint."

"No thanks needed. One last request..." she mumbles before pointing outside. I follow her finger before turning to Len with a pleading smile. He clenches his teeth before disappearing.

"If you stay in my home. You will be gone by morning and you will not speak of this place." he snarls from the walls. I sigh. Atleast she can stay.

"Kaito will show her to her room." a butler appears beside her and bows lowly. "Rin." he says my name as an order. I straighten and his arm comes out floor and grabs mine.

"You are coming with me." he seethes before pulling me through the floor.

I land roughly in a leather chair before a large desk. Len walks out of the wall and glares at me.

"Before you say anything I did it to help you." I say quickly. He takes a deep breath before placing his hands on the desk delicately.

"And before you explain yourself, I am not upset." he says lowly. Liar. I almost scoff, but choose not to push him. He sighs before sitting.

"Well?" I ask curiously.

"Well, I remember a piece." he says as he pull out a quill and circles something on his desk. I lean forward to see a map of the grounds.

"And that is?" I ask. He makes dashes lines before making 5 'X's on the map.

"Where I am." he says. My eyes widen as I gulp.

"Y...you're in 6 places?" I breath. Len looks away uncomfortably.

"So it would seem." he groans. I wince...that could mean quite a few things...but I had a single idea that seemed more likely.

"I'll have Miku help and-"

"I don't think it'll be a good idea." he interrupts. I frown at him and cross my arms.

"She isn't stuck here."

"I don't trust her."

"You're a prince, your not suppose to trust anyone." I snicker. He sighs before looking at me through his bangs.

"Rin...I just want to rest in peace." he says softly. I blink at him before smiling softly.

"You will. I trust her. And so should you." I say gently as I place a hand over his. He sighs and closes his eyes.

"Let's not just lay around then." Len smirks at me before disappearing. My hand falls onto the desk and I groan.

"Your puns suck!" I yell at the walls.

~~

"It's this way...no...maybe this way..."

"Give me the darn map!" I snap as I pull the paper from Miku's hands. I look it over before flipping it right side up and marching back the way we came.

"Why didn't you tell me you couldn't read a map." I sigh in annoyance.

"Sorry." she giggles in embarrassment. I glare at her as the wind picks up.

"I hate fall." I complain angrily as I look at the map again.

"It looks like rain again." she says quietly. I glare at the sky, threatening it to open up and drown me like a cat. Again.

"Let's get this thing." I declare as I glance back to the castle. Len was standing from the tallest tower, watching us. I shudder and turn back to the map. Miku stays quiet and I turn to her with a small smile.

"Len was kidding ya know." I say softly.

"Haha, yea I know." she laughs uneasily. I frown as I turn to her.

"What's wrong?" I ask as I put a hand on my hip.

"N-nothing. I want to get back home before it rains." she says stiffly.

"Okay.." I trail off as I look at the map and stop. "Here we are." Miku atomically drops to her knees and starts digging. What on earth has gotten into her? I drop to my knees beside her and start digging.

"I think- I found a foot." she breaths. I touch something hard and brush the dirt away.

"I got a hand." I say before frowning and digging a little more. "And a foot." I add. She continues working until it's almost completely uncovered.

"And now we take it back?" she asks hopefully. I shake my head at her.

"No. We might lose a piece." I say as I brush the dirt off my hands. "Len, we found more." white whisps appear beside us before launching at the bones and surrounding them. The whisps disappear, and with them the bones.

"We don't get to hold them?" she asks harshly. I wince, she probably got her hopes up.

"No, they're taken back to Len who puts them where they're suppose to go." I mumble as I stand.

"Let's go back." she says softly before starting back for the castle. I blink at her in confusion before following her.

~~

Miku held her purse in her hands as we walked down the stairs. She had been giving me the silent treatment ever since we got back. I sigh as I lead her down the stairs towards the lobby.

"You should've just let me destroy the bones." she says just barely above a whisper.

"What?" I ask in confusion as I turn my head towards her slightly.

"You can't help him anymore." Miku says lowly. My eyes widen and I turn back to look at her. Her eyes were wide in horror as tears rolled down her cheeks. An axe held above her head.

"C-Miku, put that down! Where'd you even get that?!" I shriek as I take a step backwards, I miss my step and fall roughly onto the marble floor. My head smacks against the ground with a deafening crack. The wind whooshes out of me in shock as I hold my head, warm liquid coloring my fingers.

"I am so sorry." she sobs as she brings the axe down. I roll to the side just as the blade slams against the marble floor.

"Len!" I scream in tears as I struggle to my feet. My sight was barely blurred objects that came in and out of focus.

"P-please Rin!" Miku sobs as she swings the axe around wildly.

"LEN!" I shriek in pain as I fall backwards and land roughly on my backside. He appears beside me, looking almost human like, a light glow incased him. He blinks his bright green eyes at me, zeroing in on the blood. His eyes turn to slits as he growls lowly.

"Coward. Having someone else fight for you, and a girl at that." he snarls as he turns and throws a hand out to Miku. She's thrown back into the wall roughly, the axe clattering to the floor. Miku barks a laugh and I cover my mouth in horror.

"Miku-" I breath.

"You tried to kill her." Len rages as he makes a hand motion, the axe swings off the floor. He smiles murderously as he flicks his wrist. The axe flys forwards and I scream, grabbing onto Len's shirt.

"No!" I beg. The axe stops a fraction of an inch before her shoulder. Her eyes were wide in terror as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"She tried to kill you!" he bellows angrily. I sob as I look at her.

"She's my best friend." I breath. Len clenches his teeth together as he lets the axe fall.

"Get out." he sneers as Miku falls to the floor. She coughs and pushes against the floor. Len turns to me and offers me a hand in frustration, his bright eye back to normal.

"Like heck I'll let you rest." she chortles as she throws a hand out to Len. He slams against the wall roughly, he glares at Miku. She pushes to her feet and sways.

"Now you can watch as I kill your precious little curse." she laughs wildly and Len lets his eyes close. Miku picks up the axe and swings it over her shoulder as she waltzes towards me. Panic raise up in my throat as I slide away from her desperately.

"C-Miku." I stammer as I hit a suit of armor with my back. She raises the axe like before and I cringe.

"Trust me." Len breaths in my ear before I open my eyes. I reach behind me and grab the hilt of the sword, swinging it I bend my knees and lunge forward. Rage burns in my veins as I dodge her swings before returning them with a jab. I clench my teeth and sink down to my knees before swiping the blade across her side. She screams in pain and drops the axe, her shadow twists before pulling together to form a large wolf like beast. I gasp as the sword becomes heavy and it slams to the floor, almost impossible for me to lift.

"Ah, there you are." Len hisses as he blurs to nothing more then a white blob and launches at the beast.

"Rin..." Miku cries, I hiss in pain as my head pulses.

"LUKA." Len snarls from somewhere in the mass of whiteness. Said maid appears before us and takes us in.

"Oh dears." she breathes, something howls in pain and she launches herself at us. The room explodes into whiteness, making it almost impossible to see. And just as quickly as it came, it's gone, Len stands in the a middle of blackness that covers the floor and half the walls. I fall to my knees in pain.

"Luka. Take Miku home. I don't want her here. Find out what she was doing with a demon." he orders as he motions to the passed out girl on the floor. Luka nods quickly before scooping her up as if she was weightless and winking out of existence. Len kneels beside me with a slight smile.

"I didn't know you could sword fight." he muses as he easily picks me up. I groan in pain as I hold my pulsing head.

"That was all you." I hiss through clenched teeth. He laughs softly.

"Not all, just most." he amends as we step into my room. Did he walk or appear here? I don't even remember.

"Atleast we found...three more pieces." I say softly. Len sits me on my bed before he lifts my hair up and probes my head. I yelp in pain and he hisses lowly.

"My apologies. You cracked your skull." he says softly as he picks me up again, and just as quickly sits me down on a sink. He places a towel against my head and I whimper.

"Do you need me to make you angry for you to stop crying?" he asks as he stops and looks at me. I blink at him in shock as I touch my cheeks. I didn't even realize I had started crying.

"No-"

"I'd tell you jokes, but I can't have you cracking up while I work." he says, cutting me off. I clench my teeth in irritation.

"Look how well that worked, you stopped crying." he chuckles as he presses the towel closer before wrapping it with gauze. I hiss in pain as I glare at him, my anger fizzles out at his lame pun and tears start again.

"I'm almost done." he promises as he continues working. "Why'd you stop me?" he asks suddenly with a frown.

"Because I couldn't let you kill my friend." I sniffle.

"She tried to kill you. She's hardly a friend." he says harshly.

"That wasn't her." I say softly.

"How do you know? What if I hadn't come?" he challenges. I bite my lip.

"You would have. A knight always protects a princess." I whisper. He pauses and looks down at me, a slight smile forming.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing." I grumble as I look away. He steps away from me and nods.

"There you are." he says as he offers my a hand. I take it and he pulls me off the counter and into him. My eyes widen in shock as I blink into his chest.

"Forgive me, for I cannot give you any medicine for the pain." he says softly.

"I- It's- okay." I stammer as I flush brightly. He sighs and pulls away.

"You are not to leave the castle." he orders softly. I wince.

"But there's only two left-"

"Please." he whispers. I blink up at him. I bite my lip.

"Fine." I give as he smiles slightly.

"Thank you. I can wait." he says as he looks me over.

"Besides. You are the one alive, I'm not going anywhere." he winces as he looks at me. I sigh and massage my temple.

"That is quite true-" I bite my tongue before glaring at him. "That's true." I rephrase.

"Oh heavens, it looks like your copying me." he chuckles before disappearing.

"I am not!" I snap as I hold my head in pain.

"It's quite adorable." he whispers before pulling me through the floor.

~~

"Tell me, where are your parents?" Len asks from behind his book. I sigh as I set my book down. It had been a week and a half since Miku left. And I still wasn't allowed to leave the castle.

"They died." I answer lamely.

"My condolences." he says softly.

"Dad died in a car accident when I was little and mom died of cancer a couple years ago." I shrug.

"Who do you live with?" he asks with a frown.

"My aunts, they travel a lot, so I more of less live alone." I mutter quietly.

"You do not like it?"

"I do, I just have to balance school and jobs is all." I sigh tiredly. Speaking of which, the rent would be due soon. And I have to turn in my online class soon. "What did Luka say about Miku?" I ask curiously.

"She summoned a demon with an ouija board by accident and it cursed her." Len sighs as he moves his bangs out of his eyes. "It's a good thing I killed it or else it would've killed her."

"She probably says thanks." I smile at him. He rolls his eyes as he wrinkles his nose.

"Perhaps." he grumbles before turning back to his book. My smile falls and I stare at my book, not really reading it. The clock ticks from beside me and I groan, slamming the book shut.

"Len. It is boring here. Can we PLEASE go out." I moan as I slip lower in my chair. Len smiles at me in amusement.

"If I say no?"

"I'll cry." I say as I quiver my lower lip.

"Don't do that, you look fair prettier when you smile." he smiles at me. I blink at him before blushing.

"Don't do that!" I yell as I cover my face with my hands.

"Oh, how interesting. Rin, you look simply ravishing today. Marvelous. Your blue eyes are-" he murmurs as he pulls my hands down. My face burned in embarrassment.

"Like starlight. Did you know you blush with compliments?" he asks as his bright green eyes dance in amusement. If my face turned any redder I would look like a tomato.

"You don't say." I snap as I pull my hands away from his and cover my face again.

"I was just teasing." he laughs softly.

"Oh thanks." I grumble drily.

"I meant what I said, but I didn't know compliments made you blush." he chuckles I glare at him through my parted fingers.

"How can I make it up to you?" he sighs with a smile.

"Let me go out." I smirk from behind my hands. He rolls his eyes at me before disappearing.

"Fine. But Luka's going with you." he hums. I frown.

"I can go alone." I snap.

"Every time you go out you tend to bring something in, so. I am sending her with you." he muses. I sigh. At least I was getting out of the house.

"Luka." I call as I pull my hair up into a ponytail. Luka appears next to me and smiles widely.

"Glad to see you up and about." she said happily. I smile back at her and tap my head.

"Glad to see you back here. I missed you. Kaito's not as fun." I mumble to her.

"I heard that." he snips from the walls.

"That's because you we're suppose to." I smirk as I lead Luka out of the house, the map clenched in my fists.

"Where are we going today?" Luka asks softly, as she fades out slightly before reappearing. I smile at her.

"We're on to find the next two pieces." I say as I march forward.

"Oh dear." she whispers. I turn backwards and frown at her as I keep walking.

"Oh dear?" I question. She winces and looks away. "Is it another secret?" I grumble as I cross my arms over my chest.

"Not really- Rin-!" Luka yelps as she reaches a hand toward me, my eyes widen as I tumble downwards into a ditch landing roughly on my back.

"Watch where you're going." she finishes lamely as she looks down at me from the top. I glare at her.

"Thanks." I grumble dryly as I push against the ground. There's a loud snap and my eyes widen. I turn back and work away stones and dirt.

"As I was saying, it's not a secret. When a head is removed from it's body, the soul is tormented-"

"I found the body!" I squeal as I stand quickly.

"Rin! No!" Luka screams as white orbs surround the bones and they disappear. A pained howl makes my skin crawl as I turn back towards the castle with wide eyes.

"Master." she breaths before throwing herself at me and like that I'm in the lobby. Len was on his knees holding his head. The area around him completely covered in darkness. Things were thrown about, broken and shattered. He was dripping blackness, his head snaps up and he cries out in pain. Blackness dripped from his eyes as the white flames twist and curl around him.

"Len-" I squeak as I take a step towards him. He bows his head and sucks in a quick breath as more darkness drips out. He coughs and groans in pain before glaring at me with slitted eyes.

"Find it! FinD IT! FIND IT!" he bellows as he slams his hand against the ground. The marble cracks and I scream as I fall. My hair whips past me as I land roughly on the roof of the castle. The shingles under my feet crack and I fall forward. I shriek as I catch my self on one to the deteriorating gargoyles. Panting, I pull myself up. Why here? Why the roof? I look around from my spot besides the gargoyle. A once prestigious looking statue salutes me from above the doors to the castle from inside it's secure home. Nestled behind the base was a skull. My mouth falls open as I scramble to my feet and take a deep breath as I jump down to the next roof.

"Almost there." I promise as the castle shakes, I race forward and launch myself at the feet of the statue. The wind rushes out of me as I catch myself on the ledge. I allow a small victory smile a I pull myself up and grab the skull, holding it close.

"I-I've got it!" I stammer as I sit and grab the foot of the statue and slide down. I land roughly on my feet before falling onto my back. I gasp in pain as I curl around the skull to protect it.

"Tell me dear. Did my son ever mention me?" My eyes widen as my head snaps up to take in the man before me. He had dark brown hair and dark green eyes that resembled Len's. His face was twisted into a smile that was anything but friendly.

"W-who are you?" I demand as I push myself to my feet.

"Oh my, I take that as a no. Riddle me this, why are you helping my Len?" he asks. I blink in confusion. His Len? I pale. This is Len's father. King Rinto...the Evil. I tremble as highlighted history text slams into me. Murders, pillages, fires, killings.

"Because he needs it." I whisper as I stare at him.

"Ha. He's the one that deserves to be here. Not me. Killing me. That wretched mother of his." he tsks. As far as I knew and could remember Len didn't kill any one.

"No he didn't." I breath.

"Oh but he did! Good thing my loyal followers killed him. He was in charge of taking care of towns, people and laws. He was horrible." he muses as he looks at me with hard green eyes. I bite my tongue. He's saying Len did all those things.

"See, he deserves it now doesn't he?" he asks in amusement, I glare at him.

"Len wouldn't do that!" I snap, my little bravo I had coming out.

"Oh don't tell me you actually love him." he scoffs. My bravo fades and I clutch the skull close to my chest as I quake in fear. My heart hammers in my chest as the King before me smirks, holding out a hand.

"Hand it over." he hums. I tighten my grip on the skull and take a step back.

"N-n-never!" I tremble.

"If you give him that he will leave you. You don't want that do you?" it muses at me. Tears form in my eyes.

"And if I give it to you he will be in pain!" I yell. Rintos form ripples, his skin becoming as black as shadows and he slams clawed paws against the ground. He bares his teeth at me as he glares. The demon sneers at me before taking another step forward, his clawed hand raised.

"Have it your way wench." he snarls. I clench my eyes shut as I cultch the skull close.

"Don't you dare touch her." Len seethes. My eyes fly open and I gasp at Len's back.

"W-Len! Get back!" I shiver. The beast cackles before swiping at him. Len is throw to the side as if he's a doll. I feel like the wind just got knocked out of me, I fall to my knees as I shake in fear. I stare wide eyed at Len. The demon licks it's sharp teeth as it smiles at me.

"You can watch me kill her." it laughs, I turn my gaze to the horrid monster.

"You reign has ended." Len cackles as he pushes himself up. I gasp as I peak at him, his posture changes as he stands.

"The Prince of Murder has decided to come play." he laughs in glee as he points a claw at him. Len straightens before turning to look at the demon, wiping blackness from his lip as he smiles wickedly. His green eyes turn to slits as horns curl out of his head and turn towards the sky. Len thrusts a hand out towards his father, slamming him into the brick wall.

"Demon Prince." he corrects as he snarls at his father. "The bestowed name my people gave me because OF YOU!" he howls, Rinto sneers at him before launching at me. I yelp as I curl over, clutching the skull close. Warmness covers me before leaving quickly. I look up and find a black mass of claws, teeth and glowing green eyes. The dark green eyed demon reaches a claw towards me. A clawed hand slams against the ground and I am swallowed whole by the ground.

I open my eyes and find myself in the tomb beneath the castle. Len's skull was cradled in my arms as I push myself up onto shaking knees. With a deep breath I find Len's table, the room reeked of death. Everything was in place, all the bones assembled perfectly. I breath out slowly as I place the skull on the table where it belonged. The walls shake and I gasp as I press against the wall, dust falls from the ceiling. The castle groans and Len appears before me. He looked exhausted, tired and happy. He was covered in blackness but it was quickly dripping to the floor. He didn't have to say it, but I knew his father wouldn't be coming to the dance of the dead anytime soon.

"Thank you." he says softly as he brings his green eyes to meet mine. I force a smile and he laughs.

"Curious, yes?" he asks.

"Always." I choke out through tears.

"I assassinated my father. He was killing thousands of innocent people that didn't deserve it. My father found out, and poisoned me and mother. He didn't know I changed the day of his assassination to the day he poisoned us. Mother died in her sleep while she was napping. But I wasn't dying fast enough so I was...ahem...'taken' apart for each capital sin I committed. Although the sins were not my own." he laughs softly. I blink in confusion.

"There are 7 sins." I say as I look at him. He smiles sadly.

"Indeed there are. The 7th has long ago deteriorated, and it held as my curse. A brain forgets but a heart will alway remember." he says as he looks at me pointedly before covering his heart. My eyes widen as I look up at him.

"What IS the curse?" I ask before I can stop myself.

"My curse is I will forever haunt these halls until I seek my revenge for being wrongly murdered. And have my body placed in it's place. I'll take the whole castle down with me." he muses as he holds out his hand for me.

"And when it's broken?" I ask as sadly I take his hand.

"And when this curse is broken. I will go to my hell, my castle will crumble and my reign will end. My staff will be reborn a new and nothing will be left. Nothing but you." he says as he holds my hand open. The walls creak dangerously and I look up at Len. His eyes widen slightly as he pulls my hand so I fall into him. He wraps his arms around me tightly. I'm deafened by the sound of glass breaking, rocks falling and grinding together. I clench my eyes shut and take slow breaths as everything returns to silence. Len pulls away and I blink at the rubble that now surrounded me.

"Thank you Rin." Len breaths as he holds my hands before letting one fall to my side. I sniff as tears make my eyes burn.

"Thank you for your sass. Feisty-ness, kindness, adoration and love. In return, I give back what binded you to me." he cradles my hand up turned and holds a single finger above it. A small red drop hits my palm.

"The single drop of blood pricked by my rose." he says softly. I laugh through a sniffle.

"What? None of your lame puns?" I tease. Len chuckles before taking the hand with the drop of blood on it, and raising it up.

"I'm afraid I've run out." he says as he kisses my fingertips and smiles. "Just like I'm afraid I am out of time. I truly regret that I didn't get to meet you in my time. I would've risen the dead for you." he muses. I laugh out of a sob.

"Your play on words suck."

"I couldn't do any better." he says softly as my hand falls through his. My eyes widen and he bows to me. I could barely see his outline now. He leans forward and I could just barely feel him brush a kiss across my forehead.

"Thank you, fair Rin. I pray we meet again. Please don't cry, you look prettier when you smile." he breaths as he pulls away and gives me a wide smile before disappearing completely into white whisp. It bounces for a fraction of a second before fading out completely. I fall to my knees, out exhaustion, or the crushing truth, I wasn't sure. My heart felt light and I take a deep breath as I look towards the sky. I force a smile as a tear races down my cheek. Blue-ish white orbs rise from the rubble. Shouldn't words be said at a funeral? I take a shaky breath.

"The castle will fall and servants will rise up, signaling the end of their kings reign. But their lives are just beginning."

BLESS YOUR BEAUTIFUL HEARTS AND Souls

All right, I promise I will get to all the other short stories I promise.

But I had to write this for a class, so it would be awesome to hear your feedback on it before I hand it in...

SO- review and let me know what you think ^^

*also..I originally had different names in it, so if you see a non-vocaloid name...ignore it ^^'

for more kagamine fun click:

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Life over and out