Re_Birthday Chapter 13

I sat alone in the dark, suddenly terrified. I was going to die tomorrow. It's funny, the dark always seems to make a situation worse. Fears grow in your mind, causing you to panic. Crazy thoughts ran through my mind, I could take this dress off, and tomorrow I would confess that I wasn't really Rin, they'd free me and I'd live! I'd never sin again, if only I could live. Then I imagined my dear twin facing the guillotine. No I would never put her life in danger, it had been a selfish thought. I sat on the small stool that was placed carelessly in the corner of the cell. The many skirts and petticoats I wore spilled over the edges, completely covering the stool itself. I stared through the tiny window above me, it's thick black bars preventing an escape attempt. The starts shone brightly that night, as if celebrating the downfall of an evil princess. Not that I believed she was evil, I'd never believed she was truly evil, misunderstood maybe, but not evil. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise all of a sudden. The hairs on my arms did the same, I felt on edge and I wasn't sure why. I peered nervously around the cell, I felt as if I was being watched, but seeing no one, I felt even more uneasy.

I noticed a silver hairbrush lying on the floor. My blood ran cold. The color drained from my face. That was the same hairbrush I'd used to groom Miku's hair that day....This had been her cell. This had been the cell she'd stayed in and I hadn't even noticed until now. She'd died in this cell. I'd never given spirits and ghosts much thought before, but now...I felt very uneasy and I couldn't help but contemplate the thought that she may be with me in spirit perhaps. In a way this made me feel a little more at ease for many reasons. To start with I didn't feel so lonely now, as if she were here to comfort me. It also told me that there was some sort of life beyond death...I wondered what would come after my execution. I shivered, I didn't want to think about that right now. So instead my thoughts turned to Rin. I wondered where she was right now, I wondered if she'd found somewhere to spend the night. I prayed she'd be safe. I prayed she'd fight off anyone who dared to harm her.

I moved away from the stool, accidently ripping part of Rin's gown on the leg, frowning at it. I slumped down in the same corner I'd often found Miku in, smiling a little at the thought of her beautiful face smiling up at me. That was history now, she was gone. Yet I had hope, if I died we could finally be together. Maybe death wasn't so bad after all. I began to drift off into a dreamless sleep, comforted significantly by the thought of seeing my beautiful Miku again....

When I awoke my back ached from sitting all night, I'd fallen asleep in a sitting position causing my head to loll at an awkward position. I rubbed my neck with my hand. I still felt drowsy, and it took a few minutes for me to register the situation. Oh, I was still in this dank little cell. I sighed, peering up at the window, but blinded by the bright rays of sunshine trickling through between the bars. Typical weather in the Yellow kingdom. I pulled irritably at the petticoats beneath Rin's dress, I wasn't used to wearing so many layers!

Various people came in and out of the dungeons that day, I payed little to no attention to them, too wrapped up in my own final thoughts. I lay in the corner like a limp rag-doll, not responding to anything anyone had to say to me. It was all insults anyway. As the time drew nearer messengers were sent down to inform me how many hours I had left. I had accepted my Fate at this point, and was preparing myself mentally for what was to come. A harsh light reflected from an object in the cell, shining in my eyes, blinding me momentarily. I glanced in the direction of the light source, and felt a dull pain as I spotted the dagger I'd used to murder Miku. I clenched my fists, I wanted to be strong, today I didn't want to cry. I wasn't dying because I HAD to, I was dying so that I could save Rin. I didn't want to cry, crying would make me feel regret, a feeling I didn't wish to feel today. I didn't regret my decision. I didn't.

I smiled sadly to myself as I stared out of the little window of the cell. Still such a nice day. Not the kind of day for an execution....I shut my eyes picturing my twin. The thought of her calmed me a lot. The two of us had done a lot of terrible things to our Kingdom, as much as I wanted to, there was no denying that. I was a murderer of innocent people. Rin needlessly executed and jailed innocent people, driving them to poverty. I supposed we deserved a punishment. Our evil deeds had finally caught up with us. Yet now as I sat awaiting my death, I couldn't picture my sister as evil. Even as I imagined her sitting at the thrown, laughing smiling at another person's capture...she still didn't look evil to me. I could picture her innocent smile, her laugh, as I served her tea. Back then she'd been my lovely, adorable, precious sibling. Actually, she would always be precious to me, I knew even when I was dead, wherever I was sent, she would always be special to me, I loved her so much! It was overwhelming. I shut my eyes again, and I was there holding her hand, and as I opened them I was crying. My tears weren't tears of fear though, they were tears of joy, and love. Oh, I hadn't wanted to cry, but I was smiling! I cried thinking of my beloved twin, oh how I loved her!! It was only occurring to me now, just how strong the bond between twins was. How deep my love and respect for Rin was. I'd done everything in life for her, and I'd loved doing it! All of it. So, it was only fitting really...to die for her as well.

I jumped as a guard stood by the door of my cell. He'd come to collect me. He reminded me a little of the grim reaper, calling me to my death. He entered, his face like an emotionless mask. I quickly wiped my tears away, I didn't want anyone to know I'd been crying, they'd think I was scared. No, I wasn't scared anymore. He snatched my arm, roughly pulling me to my feet. I allowed him to bind my hands together behind my back. I stared at the rusted iron bars running up and down the gate of the cell. Goodbye cell, goodbye Miku. I wondered if Miku's soul really was here....I hadn't felt her presence again. Still, I silently bid her farewell as I wouldn't pass her final resting place on my final walk. When the guard was satisfied I wasn't able to wriggle free, her wrapped his large fingers around my arm, leading me out of the prison cell. I noticed the guard was wearing blue....The yellow kingdom was finished.

I was lead through the castle halls, and each hall we walked through held memories. I was drowning in memories. That was the hall where Rin had been ill once...we cried in that room when our parents died....Rin lost her first tooth in there....we used to love reading in that room... Rin Rin Rin. All of my memories were of Rin. It hurt now, to think we'd never see one another again, I'd never hold her in my arms again. I'd never whisper to her that we'd be ok. I'd never see her grow up, I'd never see her marry. I'd never get to kiss her pregnant belly, and tell her that uncle Len would help her raise her children. I'd never get to make another tiara for her, or for my niece. I'd never be able to sing to her. I'd never be able to laugh with her. I'd never be able to cry with her. I'd never be able to protect her again. I'd never get to see her smile again.

I stared in shock at the destruction outside. I realised I hadn't seen the exterior of the castle since the battle. The fragrant fields of yellow flowers had been killed in the chaos. The field was left scattered with tattered and ripped petals. The bodies of soldiers, our soldiers mainly, lay lifeless on the ground. Blood, everywhere there was blood stains. Crumbling rubble from our own home was dotted around the battlefield. Armour as well. The armour of dead men. I shivered at the horrific scene around me. I hoped Rin would not have to lay eyes upon the horror. I was forced to keep walking, and at this point felt very low. Our kingdom had been destroyed! Though somehow through all of the misery that lay before me, something caught my eye. A single yellow flower stood not far from me. A little limp looking, but it stood tall above the others. One had survived....a little smile graced my lips. Yes, this flower for me, symbolised Rin. My Rin. Amongst all of those who had died, Rin was the one who would live, even if she had some scars from the fight, she would be the one to carry on. I knew this now, this was surely a sign. I looked up at the sky as we moved, thanking God for showing me this sign, telling me that Rin was alright.

Ironic. Church bells resounded as I was led up the wooden steps to the guillotine. The same church bells that had announced our birth. People fussed around me, positioning my head properly beneath the sharp blade of the guillotine. There was a crowd, they had all come to witness the evil princess' death. It seemed many of them had been waiting here for hours as the shifted impatiently. I received a few 'boo's as I was prepared. However, most of the people were respectful, they stood silently, scorning me not with words, but with their stares. It was rare for one so young to be executed, and so it seemed many of them though hostile towards me, didn't really wish to see me die. My heart was racing with fear, I'd never been this frightened before. There was no turning back now. I almost feel the keen edge of the blade suspended above me. I was shaking ever though my hands were tied behind my back, I clasped them together fearfully. I thought I would surely faint from fear! Now we waited, it had to be exactly three before they would drop the blade.

I sensed something. I instinctively looked into the crowd, and there she was. My eyes widened as I spotted her, my twin. Her eyes looked red beneath the hood of my cloak. She was crying, already she was crying. I didn't want her to see this! Oh but to know she was really alive! To see her beautiful face in the crowd! I felt at ease, as if she were comforting me. Our eyes met, and I could see her body convulsing with another sob. Then the bells chimed again. This time to announce it was three o' clock. Our gazes held, I could see the sheer horror on her face, it was time. I smiled at her in a daze, as if to tell her it was alright, she'd be alright now, I held no ill feelings towards her. I heard the guillotine operator be given the word. A silent tear slipped down my cheek. Then I heard the rope, releasing the blade.

"Oh, it's tea time" I uttered, and I felt it! The terrible blade slicing through the back of my neck. I uttered a small cry as I heard Rin scream. Searing pain. Nothing else.

And, if we can be reborn again, I'd like it if that time we could be together again.