Black and Ashes

Chapter 5
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The Vocaloids gasped in surprise. Miku's eyes started to water as she caught glimpse of two things…

A big white bow…

And blond hair.

Miku tackled the person, her arms tightly wrapped around the person's petite form. Tears slid down her face, sobs rocked her body, yet a smile was on her lips. "Rin-chan," she whispered, the name rolled out of her tongue. The other Vocaloids felt very happy, and also hugged the other two into a group hug.

"R-Rinny~!"

"R-Rin-chan!"

"We m-missed you!"

They cried yet huge smile were on their lips.

Yes, it was indeed Rin. It was the very same Rin, with her big bright blue eyes, her golden locks, with that huge white bow on top of her head. It was Kagamine Rin.

They soon pulled back, they were happily laughing. Miku placed her hands on Rin's petite shoulders, "I wonder how Len-kun would react," she said out loud. The other Vocaloids made sounds of agreement, however, Rin pulled back, her hands placed behind her. She has a huge grin on her face.

"It is nice to meet everyone!"

"Eh?" the Vocaloids (except for Rin) tilted their head to the side, their face reflected that of confusion.

Rin extended a hand out, "I'm Kagamine Rin!" she said, grinning. "I'm new in the family, right?"

Luka and Meiko exchanged confused looks, Kaito's face scrunched up in confusion, while Miku's expressed that of horror. Rin tilted her head to the side, her bright innocent eyes stared at them with a confused look. "What's wrong? Is there something I said…?" she asked, her voice trailed off. She slightly panicked and glanced at Nakamura-san, asking for help from the scientist.

Luka, who finally recovered from shock, turned to Nakamura, "What does she mean?" she asked, her blue eyes stared back at Nakamura's dull black ones.

Nakamura laughed nervously, he placed his hand upon Rin's bare shoulder, "Rin-chan, could you wait outside?" he asked politely, giving the blond Vocaloid a tired smile.

Rin pouted, "Why should I?" she asked stubbornly, the same way the real Rin would react; such a reaction made a pang of regret erupt from the older Vocaloids' chest. Rin, no, she was not Rin but a replacement. Nakamura laughed again, every huff was forced, and he gently pushed Rin towards the door. "Ah~!"

"Now, now, Rin-chan. Just be a good girl and wait," Nakamura said, he made a gesture to his colleagues to follow Rin out of the room. The scientists nodded in reply, they smiled warmly at Rin and led her out of the room. Her complaints were muffled by the door after it was closed. Nakamura turned to face the Vocaloids, a grim expression was on his face. He felt a slight regret as he caught sight of the heated expression of the teal-haired Vocaloid.

"What's going on?" Miku hissed, her eyes turning to slits. Nakamura cringed from the glare Miku was giving him, the other Vocaloids copied the tealette's expression, with deep frowns on their lips.

Nakamura sighed through his nose, "I'm sorry… But Rin's memories are gone… and there's nothing we could—"

"But, how about Len?" Meiko asked, as she raised a delicate brow. "How would he react when he saw Rin?"

Nakamura's mouth opened, but no words came out. His throat dried up, and his words were stuck. "Ah… Len…"

"I remember the last time Len reacted when Rin was mentioned," Kaito said, adding himself up in the conversation. A scowl was on his face, as he continued, "And the way he reacted isn't actually good."

The other Vocaloids nodded their heads in agreement. Nakamura's gaze fell, beads of sweat slid down his forehead. The sides of his mouth twitched. That's right, he re-activated Len's system, and said Vocaloid is roaming around as of the current. Even his colleagues do not know of such a thing, only him and the Vocaloids. What should he do? He swallowed the lump in his throat, "V-very well…" he started, however, his voice shook. "I'll make sure Len'll be back to normal," he had said, forcing a smile on his lips.

Luka raised a skeptical brow, "How?" she asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

Nakamura flashed a shaky smile, "Don't worry about it," he said, as he started to usher them out of the lab. "Why don't you show Rin around? Surely Rin would love that," he added, an attempt to change the subject. Nakamura ignored their protests as he gently led them out of the room. As the door opened the other scientists entered and left the Vocaloids outside of the lab, leaving them with the oblivious blond.

Rin stared at them with wide innocent eyes, she tilted her head to the side. "So…" she started, "What's up?" she asked, however her voice sounded unsure. The Vocaloids exchanged looks, silently communicating with their eyes.

Miku blinked back a tear, and forced a grin on her face. "So, Rin… I'm Hatsune Miku!" she said, her voice sounded cheerful and happy. She extended an arm out, "Welcome to the family!" she said, with fake cheerfulness. Behind that mask of smiles, deep down, Miku felt sad because…

The real Rin, Miku's 'little sister', is being replaced.

Len stared at the mirror in front of him, he was currently in his room, specifically, in the bathroom. With dull eyes, he observed his form; his hair was messy than the usual, and his eyes was not as bright when it was before. And beneath his messy blond bangs, his forehead had a darkish purple color, it appeared after he had pounded his head on the wall. He touched it with a pale finger, what does human calls this? Ah, right… It was a bruise. Len felt slight pain when he pressed his finger on it, however, his face remained blank as always.

Len silently thought to himself. Apparently, pounding his head on the wall did not answer his questions. He still does not know why he was still here. He still has to find his real purpose.

Len left the bathroom, and headed towards the door out of his room. He opened it, and walked out. From the corner of his eyes, he caught glimpse of something familiar… Something awfully familiar.

It was Rin.

Miku was showing Rin around. She had already showed her the kitchen, lounging area, and the entertainment room. Miku still has to show Rin where they sleep. They were casually strolling down the hall, Miku's chest had lighten up a little. Apparently this Rin is still 'Rin'… only that this is the 'first' time they had met, and Rin has no memories of the good times they had spent together.

Well, past is past, Miku thought, as she smiled lightly. However, the thought of replacing the old Rin was still weighing down her chest. No, she has to give this new Rin a chance. In fact, they might even have better memories to share with… But… Isn't that like replacing the old Rin? Miku thought, an uneasy feeling lingered within her chest.

"Ne, Miku-nee… Is there a problem?" Rin asked, snapping Miku out of her trance.

Miku shook her head, and smiled, "It's nothing," she said reassuringly. "Ah, here we are~!" Miku exclaimed, changing the subject. She gestured a hand towards a teal-colored door, "This is my room," she said, then she gestured to the other doors. "And that's Meiko-nee's room… Over there's Kaito-nii's room, then this is Luka-nee's room," Miku said, as the two walked down the hall.

"How 'bout this one?" Rin asked, pointing at a yellow-colored door, "And that," she added as she pointed the door across the yellow door, the two door are identical, the only difference is the letter engraving on the door. The one on the right has an 'R', and on the left has an 'L'.

Miku shuffled on her feet, unsure what to answer. "Umm… Ah… This one," Miku gestured at the door on the right, "Is your room," she said, a small sad smile on her lips.

Rin's eyes widen, "Really~? That's so cool!" she said, grinning wide. "Ah, how 'bout that one?" she asked once again, as she pointed a finger on the left.

"Oh…" Miku paused. What should she tell her? Should she tell her about Len?

"Miku-nee?" Rin tilted her head to the side, and stared at Miku with innocent eyes.

"Ah… That's—!" Miku stopped, her word caught on her throat. The door on the left opened, and a blond Vocaloid with a flaring red eye gave them a side-way glance. The blank stare coming from the red eye made chills ran down Miku's spine; it was the same stare he was giving her and everyone.

Rin's brows furrowed together, giving Miku a confused look. Rin followed Miku's line of stare, and turned her head. What she saw made her froze in place, it was 'frightening'. Something thumped from within Rin's chest, its beats got faster and faster. Rin's bright blue eyes stared back at a flaring red one. Rin yelped, as she jumped backwards in surprise, the Vocaloid in front of her was scaring the wits out of her. The Vocaloid has the same blond hair as her, and has identical clothes as her. His skin was just as pale as hers, but his eye was of a different color. The blond Vocaloid turned fully to her, revealing his other eye; it was the same blue as her, yet it was dull and lacked emotions.

Rin made a step backwards, but the other just stepped forward. He stood right in front of her, his red and blue eyes stared at her, observing every detail of her. Then his hands went to her face, touching Rin's cheeks with cold fingers. His hands travelled around, he touched her blond strands, her pale skin, her soft lips, and her body.

Rin felt like she was being harassed, despite that, she cannot move a limb, she was too shocked to move. Miku was just shocked as her.

"Rin?" the name rolled out of his mouth, yet it sounded monotonous. "Rin?" he repeated, as he touched her face once again. "Rin?"

Rin's form shook, this guy was scaring her. "W-who are you?" she asked, her voice shook. The other Vocaloid stared at her for a moment, then he suddenly pulled his hands back, as if what he was touching was dirty. Rin was confused.

The Vocaloid shook his head, "No," was all he said, before walking down the hall, leaving Rin and Miku.

Rin stiffly turned around and faced Miku. "Who… Who was that?" she asked.

Miku snapped out of her trance, she stared at Rin for a moment, processing what the younger Vocaloid had just said. Miku bit her lip. "It's… Just…" Miku trailed off. What should she tell her? Miku shook her head and forced a grin, "Just forget about it…"

Len stared at the wall, the very same wall where he had pounded his head before. His bruised forehead collided on the wall, he pulled back and repeated it, over and over again.

Who was that girl?

Why does she look like her?

That can't be Rin!

But… who was that?

"W-who are you?"

Her voice rang in his head. She doesn't know him… She doesn't remember him… Why?

Len… Rin… Rin… Len…

Is that girl going to replace Rin? His Rin? His other?

But—? But—? But they can't do that! They can't replace Rin…? Or can they?

Will they replace him too? Would he disappear just like Rin?

Why would they…?

He won't…

Rin…?

A week has passed since Rin's 'replacement' arrived, and the older Vocaloids slowly started to accept her. However, a certain blond Vocaloid can't seem to stand to be with her, or even give her a glance. She was… Horrible… Len somehow doesn't want to accept her.

Because…

Because…

Currently, Len was hiding behind his and his Rin's sofa, the yellow sofa they always shared. However, the other Rin is currently occupying the sofa. She and the other Vocaloids were not aware of the old Kagamine hiding behind the sofa. He was just there… Listening to their laughter and their jokes.

Then, Len heard the door opened. Who could it be? Everyone was here… Who would enter?

The Vocaloids laughter died down, and silence filled the room. Len tried to peek from behind the sofa, his eyes searched for the reason of the sudden silence. By the door, he caught glimpses of a lab coat, and white sneakers.

"Hello, everyone," the one wearing the lab coat said, Len identified the voice as Yamamoto-san, the same scientist who shut him down almost a month ago. "I want you to meet a very important person," Yamamoto said, his glasses reflected the light. Len tried his best to take a look without getting noticed. The blond felt the yellow sofa shifted, Rin must've sat up. "Ah, Rin," Yamamoto started, "Come here," he ordered.

Len felt the sofa shifted once again, "Okay," he heard 'Rin' said. Then he heard foot steps, it was Rin's sneakers against the floor.

"Okay," it was Yamamoto once again, "Come on in," he said. Len saw the white sneakers, next to Yamamoto, move forward into the room. Then he heard gasps of surprise from the other Vocaloids.

Who could it be?

Len scooted a little outward, just to see who it was that entered the room. As his eyes landed on the person, he felt something from within his head click, and there was a sudden burst from within his chest.

For the first time in all those weeks, Len's face expressed an emotion…

It was that of horror.