Title: Synchronicity: Aftermath

Song: Synchronicity

Category: Vocaloid

Characters: Kagamine Len, Kagamine Rin, MEIKO, KAITO, Kamui Gakupo

Rating: K+

Genre/s: Family, Humor, Friendship, Hurt/Comfort

Pairings: Depends on your point of view. I guess if you're a Meiko/Kaito or a Len/Rin shipper you can squint and see a bit of romance. But for me it's just pure friendship.

Full Summary: Set after the events of the Synchronicity series. Rin knew it's going to be hard adjusting to society after living in a cave for 14 years with nothing but a dragon god for company. It's especially hard when her brother's companions are pretending to be a family just to let her experience what it's like to have one. But learning how to do everyday things is just so much fun when neighbor Kaito ('older brother', he says) is there to spice things up! Seems like she still has a lot of things to learn in this world...

Disclaimer: I do not own the Vocaloids or the Synchronicity series.

...

I RECOMMEND THAT YOU WATCH THE VIDEOS FIRST. You can find the links in my profile. Watch it in order: Looking For You In The Sky, Paradise of Light and Shadow, and Requiem of the Spinning World. It's really good, I swear!

First chapter will be serious first, then we'll move on to the humorous bits. :)

Please read and review!

Kaito smiled at the scene before them now, his eyes relieved and a bit sad. Meiko glanced at him for a moment before returning to watch the unsuspecting duo in the other room. "What's the sad look for mage? Everything's over, we should all be happy right now. Unless you're keeping another dragon under that ridiculous scarf of yours…"

"No dragons, I'm afraid." Kaito shook his head. "I just felt a bit like a proud father seeing those two," He nodded his head at the sleeping twins in the room, their deep slumber a clear indication that they're exhausted. "After a very long time, they are finally together."

"As they should be." Meiko nodded, then frowned at him. "Wait, father? You look more like an older brother to me. Or probably just a next door neighbor. Gakupo's the one that looks like a father."

"Don't go involving me into this." Gakupo raised an eyebrow from his spot in the living room. "Besides, when did we ever form a family?"

"Since we rescued you from that shabby prison you got thrown into Gakupo!" Kaito grinned, but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. Gakupo and Meiko exchanged a look before fixing Kaito with a stern gaze. "Seriously mage, what's wrong with you?" Meiko demanded.

Kaito smiled and shrugged. That guy is always smiling.. Meiko vaguely noticed.

"It's nothing important. I'm just thinking about what happened in the cave…"

"The part where you suddenly abandoned us in the middle of the battle?" Meiko raised an eyebrow at him, still clearly annoyed and disappointed.

Kaito glanced at them guiltily and visibly slumped. "I know it looks like I betrayed all of you for leaving so suddenly. In all honesty, I have no excuses. I was a coward, too frightened to face my responsibility. In the end it almost cost you your lives…"

"I still don't fully understand," Meiko finally turned to face him, "What is this responsibility of yours?"

"You never cared about Len's quest at all, correct?" The mage and the soldier both turned to the scholar, his face dead serious. "You just went along because you wanted to save the Pythoness."

"Miku." Kaito nodded, his face now solemn and devoid of any smile. "Yes, I did want to save her. But over time, I did start to care a bit about you guys and about Len's quest. I understand that he wants to save his sister, because I too have someone I wanted to save. Miku isn't like that in the beginning. Before she became the cold and unforgiving pythoness you met in the cave, she's my dearest friend. A fellow practitioner of magic. A kind, patient, and caring girl. At one point, I even fell in love with her." Kaito then laughed, but it was empty and humorless. Meiko and Gakupo both waited for him to stop, because they could almost swear that it made the temperature in the room drop a bit. "But then came the day where that thrice-damned oracle sent for soldiers to capture Miku. The previous Pythoness had died, for she could not contain a power as mighty as a dragon's. At the time, Miku was the best female magic-user in our village, so naturally, she became the first choice."

Meiko and Gakupo both nodded in understanding, slowly realizing what really happened. Kaito continued, "While she is indeed very powerful, she can't defeat the legions of soldiers surrounding her then, even with my help. We are quickly overpowered, and I was forced to watch as they stuck that horrible mask on her face, as her thrashing and struggling slowly stopped, as a new Miku replaced the one I loved. And there wasn't anything I can do to stop it."

Kaito sighed and placed his hands on his face, not wanting the two to see his anguished look. "As much as I want to rescue her, going to the mountain is suicide. I need her to be free, not for me to die trying. What could I accomplish from dying? Miku would still be there, suffering behind that mask. Instead, I waited for the right time. I accompanied Len because I know he's going up there. He's strong-willed and a decent fighter, but I know he's not powerful enough to stop Miku and the dragon." Kaito then turned to look at them, an almost impish smile on his sad face. "Then you two came along. I swear the palace thing and the both of you tagging along is something I definitely did not expect. It did increase our chances of survival though."

Meiko rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Gee, thanks mage. Your gratitude is definitely overflowing."

"So the reason why you left us is because…?" Gakupo quickly interrupted, knowing from days of travelling that their argument could go on until evening.

"As I said earlier, I was a coward. I can't bear to see Miku killing all three of you in cold blood. I can't bear to see her like that, so the moment Len got defeated, I ran away to save myself. I thought then that I would wait and try again."

"But you didn't." Meiko said softly. "You came back. Why?"

"Because I realized all of a sudden that I was an idiot, and that I'm no better than the Pythoness if I suddenly deserted you all. I knew then that I need to act immediately. I assume you didn't see this, but after you all went unconscious, I approached Miku and tried talking to her. I tried persuading her. We even went into a duel of sorts. It was horrible fighting her like that, but it's all for naught. The mask had a really deep influence on her. I was defeated, but I had enough power left to revive all of you and treat you while she got distracted by something."

"So all in all, you never did abandon us." Meiko stared at him with respect shining in her eyes. Gakupo smiled at him and nodded, but Kaito shook his head, his eyes taking on a regretful gaze. "It didn't matter. In the end, Miku still died. My waiting is useless!"

"You tried your best Kaito, and in the end, you saved us all." Meiko smiled at him reassuringly. "Miku has gone to a happier place now, where she no longer has to deal with suffering and cruel dragon gods."

"Besides, you have us now." Gakupo added. Kaito stared at them in surprise, before grinning like crazy, though his eyes still held a hint of sadness. "I can't believe I'll ever hear a heartfelt remark like that from a serious person like you Gaku-buddy! And Meiko-dear! You even said my name!"

"Ohh shut up…" Meiko glared at him with a hint of red on her cheeks.

"If you two don't mind lowering your voices, I think Len's waking up already." Gakupo informed them. Meiko and Kaito both jumped and peeked hesitatingly into the other room. Indeed, the blond-haired boy seemed to be waking up from his position in the bed, probably roused by their noise…

.

~oOo~

.

Len drowsily blinked his eyes open, the bright cerulean orbs almost glowing from the dimness of the room. He could have sworn he heard talking coming from outside, but now it is strangely quiet…

Having had enough of the ceiling he's been staring at, he braced his body and tried to sit up. But before he could, he abruptly noticed that his left arm is caught on something. He frowned and glanced over, but what he saw made his heart beat twice as fast.

A blond girl lay silently beside him in what looks like a deep sleep, her unnaturally pale skin almost glowing in the dimness of the room. His left arm is stuck under her head, like she had been using it as a pillow. Len's eyes softened at the sight. This is the first time he looked at her properly without any raging dragons and the cave's darkness and the blood. His twin sister is so beautiful… The gentle contours on her face, the button nose, her soft lips… and her bright, innocent cerulean eyes that are exactly just like his. He reached up and gently pushed away strands of her soft blonde hair from her face. Surprised at the softness, he continued twirling his fingers between the strands while continuing to observe her. Len then noticed that his sister is unnaturally thin. Not bone thin, but thin enough that it is obvious that she's not really eating much. Not surprising considering who she was with the whole time. Again, Len gritted his teeth at the reminder of what his sister had gone through all these years when she should have had a normal childhood with him. She didn't deserve any of it! It's a miracle she even survived as long as she did!

Not noticing the two silent observers, Len started to hum an unfamiliar song while still stroking his sister's hair. Now that Rin's here and the dragon is dead, it won't be long before the rest of the kingdom will find out just what happened. Hopefully, things would clear up soon because there's bound to be an uproar.

And about Rin… Len gazed at her face with obvious tenderness, a ghost of a soft smile on his lips. She'll have to get used to the outside world. Things that Len deemed normal would be something extraordinary for her. She'll also be completely clueless at various things. But whatever happens, Len would always be by her side. He'll patiently teach to her all the things he's already known his whole life. He'll defend her if a bad situation ever arises. She'll never suffer again. She'll always be happy…

A whimper suddenly brought him back to the present. He quickly turned to his sister who is the source of the noise and frowned worriedly… It looks like she's starting to breathe quickly-

Len hastily jumped back when Rin suddenly sat straight up, his battle reflexes the only thing preventing him from colliding his forehead with hers. He watched as Rin stared blankly at the wall in front of them, her previously bright eyes now dull and lifeless. Len continued to watch as she tilted her head, then nodded. Rin slowly opened her mouth…

Len's eyes widened when a sweet, beautiful sound started resonating in the room. Outside, both Meiko and Kaito glanced at each other in surprise while Gakupo quickly peeked into the room with them to find out exactly what was going on.

Len listened to the song for a moment, confused as to why Rin suddenly sang. The song's like nothing he has ever heard of before. It spoke about the warmness of the sun… the sadness and coldness of the rain… the radiant color of the flowers… Rin's describing the wonders of the land they are living in.

"How could she know about the sun and the flowers if she's in the cave her whole life?" Len jumped when a voice suddenly sounded behind him. He turned to see his three travelling companions just standing behind the twins, all with confused expressions. Len then realized that the one who spoke, Gakupo, was right. Rin's singing about the world, but she's never actually seen it. Rin's describing what the flowers look like, when she herself has never even seen one to know.

"And why is she suddenly singing?" Meiko frowned in confusion. That's what Len's wondering about too. Kaito then spoke up, "Maybe… she's thinking that she's still in the cave?"

Shocked at the revelation, all four turned to stare at the pale girl on the bed, still singing and oblivious to their chatter. Len reached a hand hesitantly, before starting to shake her shoulders…

But he's not prepared for Rin to jump back as if his touch had burned her. Her singing abruptly cut off, her wide unseeing eyes staring straight at him. "No please! Didn't you like it? I'm so sorry, I'll sing another one!"

Len's heart then broke, his sister's agonized and frightened voice almost tearing his heart to shreds. His three companions are also frozen stiff, their shock almost perceptible in the air.

"R-Rin…" Len tried again, hurt that his sister is still staring at him with frightened eyes, though he knew it's not really directed at him. "It's Len… you don't need to sing any more… the dragon's gone."

Silence suddenly enveloped the room, the occupants only staring at each other. Rin opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. "G-Gone?" She talked hesitantly. "What do you mean?"

Len swallowed a lump in his throat, "The dragon's dead, Rin." He gently told her.

At his proclamation, Rin's eyes went wide and she gaped in shock. Len frowned in confusion, how could she not remember when she was there with him the whole time when they both killed the dragon?

"D-Dead…" A whisper pulled him back to the present. Len stared in shock when a tear suddenly slid down his sister's cheeks. Rin's lips slowly formed a smile, her bright cerulean eyes starting to gain life. "It's dead…" She repeated, her voice amazed and full of wonder. "Does that mean I'm… I'm free?" Her voice cracked a bit when she whispered the last word. Len's heart then shattered to pieces, and he could almost hear someone hide a sob behind him. It wouldn't surprise him if it was Kaito or something…

"Yes, you're free Rin." Len smiled softly at her. "You'll no longer have to live in that horrible cave. You'll no longer have to sing every day..."

"No more dragons…" Rin suddenly smiled wide, her pure happiness causing them to smile as well. "I finally get to see my brother!"

That statement caused him to stare in shock at his sister again. It looks like she's still gazing at him with unseeing eyes.

"She's still trapped in that world, Len." Meiko told him softly.

"Get her out of it." Kaito urged him.

Rin is starting to stare at them in confusion and slight fear. Len bit his lip determinedly and nodded, before opening his arms and gently wrapping them around his sister's small body…

.

~oOo~

.

Rin stared in confusion as sounds echoed all around the cave, voices all a jumble. The one she's been speaking to suddenly disappeared, making her feel frightened. Just a moment ago, the warm voice is right there comforting her… but why did it suddenly leave? Did it leave her here all alone again? What if this is an illusion, and she'll wake up later on and the dragon is still there?

The mere thought of that horrible creature sent her trembling in fear. What if the dragon is still alive? Her throat can't take it anymore… it's raw and hurting so much! Where is that voice?!

Suddenly, something wrapped itself around her, filling her with warmth. She felt comforted and loved, and Rin slowly started to fall forward. To her surprise, her head bumped in something, but there is no wall in sight. A hand suddenly started stroking her hair, and she widened her eyes when the cave started disappearing around her. The dank and dark walls were slowly replaced by smooth, light colored ones. The ground she was sitting on is suddenly soft and comfortable. The thing holding her suddenly felt more like strong arms. And the thing her head bumped into earlier then formed into a chest.

In bewilderment, Rin raised her head up and met eye to eye with a familiar blue-eyed boy. They both looked so alike, and it didn't take her much to know who he is.

"Rin…" The boy said gently, his eyes warm and kind. "You're safe now."

And she believed him.