Hello! I'm sorry it took me longer than usual to update. Anyway, I hope this chapter was worth the wait. Enjoy. :)
It was that day of the year. Professor Agasa's beetle turned to a halt a few blocks away from the cemetery. He turned off the engine and there was total silence. He looked at his rear view mirror and saw Ai looking out the window. Her mind was adrift and it seems she didn't notice the beetle stopping at all. After all this time, this was the first time she was going to the cemetery to visit her sister's grave. The Professor carefully called her attention, "Ai-kun...". Ai snapped out of her trance with a bit of a start and met the Professor's worried gaze. "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"
"I'll be fine Professor. Thank you." Ai opened the door and got out. "I'll be waiting for you here.", said the Professor from his window. "Okay. I won't take long." Ai started walking away. After a few steps, the Professor called out to her, his head and arm sticking out of his window, "Ai-kun". Ai looked back. "Take care."
"I'll be fine Professor. I'm not a little girl." And she managed to curve a part of her mouth upwards into what could be considered a smile. The Professor sighed and tried to smile too. Why do I have a bad feeling about this? Should I tell Shinichi? Ai-chan said not to tell him. What should I do with these children? Agasa sighed.
Ai proceeded walking towards the cemetery. She took slow steady steps on the pavement. The Professor was right to be worried. She was worried out of her mind. Normally, Ai would spend the day in her room crying. She would remember the good times she shared with her only sister. She'd remember how she would keep her human despite the organization's influence. She even kids her of getting a boyfriend. Ai smiled at that thought. And for some reason some images flashed in her mind. If she wasn't so nervous, she might have blushed. But all that cheer, that lively smile, that concern, that one and only family left to her, her guardian angel, her star in the darkness, all that was gone now - all because of the organization. Ai stopped for a minute. She was both terrified and mad. Gin's murderous stare and Vermouth's teasing smile flashed in her mind.
Yes. They were the reason why she hasn't visited her beloved sister's grave. She feared that they may be watching, hiding in the dark, waiting for her to come like a hungry mouse yearning for cheese, before they close in and suffocate her in their steady grip. A shiver was running through her body. She knew that this was highly likely to happen. She could be walking into a trap right now. Or worse, her death. She squeezed her tiny hands into a fist and fought the fear. No. Enough hiding. My sister deserves a visit. I should have long done this. After all, she laid her life for me. I'm so sorry Onee-san. It's taken me this long to visit you. I don't care if I die. Maybe at least then I will be with you again... and no one will die because of me anymore.
Ai felt the wind on her face. She looked up. Ai was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't realize she has reached the cemetery. She saw a familiar pink car parked in front. Subaru-san? What is he doing here? I'm overthinking again. There are many pink cars. It might not be him. Focus Shiho. This visit is about your sister. No boys allowed. She took a deep breath and entered the cemetery. This is it. No turning back now.
A lady with long brown hair was standing beside a grave. She was carefully tracing the outline of the grave with her forefinger, a satisfied smile across her face. Her daydreaming was interrupted by a phone call. She gets her phone from her bag. She looked at the caller ID with a slight grimace, let out a sigh, and answered.
"Bourbon, what do you need?"
"I need some files from you remember?"
"I'll give them to you later."
"Where are you?"
"I'm meeting somebody. I have to go."
The lady put her phone back in her bag. Bourbon was standing behind a tree carefully watching her every move. Bourbon looked at her and felt a hint of sadness. Why is she wearing that disguise? What are you up to Vermouth? He missed Akemi deeply. He loved her after all. Seeing her there, a few feet away from him, opened up his memories of her. Vermouth is great at disguises but she couldn't copy her smile nor the way her hair dances with the wind. His nostalgic expression turned grim. She's gone now. There is nothing he could do if the organization orders her dead. She's dead because of two people - Shuichi Akai and Shiho Miyano. I know they're out there somewhere. If I could get to them, I am the only one who can finish them. I am the only one who should finish them for my beloved Akemi. His anger was steadily rising when he saw Vermouth hide behind a nearby grave. It's showtime. Who are you meeting Vermouth? Who are you meeting with my dear Akemi's beauty?
A bespectacled man with dark pink hair was seen approaching. He had a somber countenance as his steps brought him closer to the grave. The man stood in silence in front of it. He felt eyes on him. He had enough experience to have a sense for that. He kept his cool and observed quietly. Deep inside he was enraged that these people are making her resting place a place of ambush, but he won't give them what they came there for. He would just keep his calm and act accordingly. And this was quickly put to the test. A woman stepped forward from a nearby grave. In fact, not just any woman. She greatly resembled the lady that he was mourning for. She also had long brown hair. But aside from the physical, she couldn't copy Akemi's cheerful glow.
"Remember me? You don't seem surprised to see me anymore.", Vermouth said with a slight pout.
"Well, this isn't the first." Subaru replied in a serious tone.
"What are you doing here?" Vermouth looked at the grave. "Do you know her?"
"She's my friend.", Subaru answered carefully.
Vermouth was tracing the edge of the grave again. "I don't think she has a lot of friends.",
"We met in university."
"What an intriguing university.", Vermouth replied playfully, emphasizing the word 'intriguing'.
From the corner of her eyes, Vermouth saw a little girl standing a few feet away from them, watching her little act.
Ai picked up her pace with resolve and turned at the right corner. Her picked up pace was short-lived for she slowed down a few meters away from her sister's grave. She saw a man standing in front of it, brooding. His spectacles covered his eyes from her view but she wouldn't be surprised if tears were beneath those lenses. Subaru-san... he looks so sorrowful. Why do you know my sister? Onee-san... Who is he?
As though the heavens heard her thoughts, the answer started unfolding before her. Her sister in the flesh appeared in front of Subaru. She stopped dead on her tracks. Who is this woman? Where did she come from? Ghosts aren't real, Ai reassured herself. Who is this imposter? The woman seemed to be talking to Subaru. She had her sister's long brown hair and surely they looked alike. It was a great copy but not entirely accurate. Her sister exuded a charm, a positive energy, that always lifted Ai's spirits. This woman... she looked like she brought anything but good news.
The woman talked to Subaru for a bit. Ai couldn't hear what they were talking about. She was trying to read their mouths but the woman might have sensed her efforts to do so. She partly looked in Ai's direction and smiled. Subaru noticed this and followed her gaze. As his head turned towards Ai's direction, the woman held his face and pulled him in for a kiss. It all happened so fast, in the span of a second maybe. This woman was swift. Ai couldn't believe her eyes. As if matters couldn't get any more disturbing, the lady looked her straight in the eyes as she kissed Subaru. A shiver ran through Ai's whole body and for a second she forgot how to breathe. She froze. This feeling. The skilled disguise. Vermouth.
Ai bowed down and shivered in fear but she could feel Vermouth's penetrating gaze towards her. She was daring her to look on. Ai gathered up all the fighting spirit she fostered as she walked up to her sister's grave. Don't fail me now. I need to stay strong. Onee-san... She got a hold of herself and barely stopped shivering. She looked up. Vermouth's lips were still locked with Subaru's. Their kiss is just taking forever. She wanted to punch her in the face but she had her sister's face. How dare she use my sister's face for her fancy acts?! Ai's fists were slowly curling up and she was starting to feel anger rise up. But there it was - the answer to her questions about Subaru. Onee-san kissing Subaru... Subaru is... with a soft whisper, the name left her pale lips, "Moroboshi..." Ai felt like she was struck by lightning. She realized the answer to her questions about Subaru and she feels electrocuted, she couldn't move. She was shivering again and her legs didn't want to cooperate. I can't stay here. Enough!
She didn't know what miracle moved her heavy legs but the next thing she knew, she was running away. Her tears were flowing like a river and they were blocking her vision but she was certain she had to run and run fast. She just needed to get out of that scene. Why did I see this just now? I've been so stupid! I was about to trust him! What was I thinking? He's got me fooled this whole time! I'm so sorry Onee-san... I'm so sorry! Ai was running as fast as she possibly could as though she was fleeing from a fierce predator - the truth no less. She stumbled and fell a couple of times but she didn't mind. She ran straight ahead.
Subaru was calmly answering the lady's questions when she paused for a second seemingly occupied by a new presence. He turned his head towards the direction of interest. He saw Ai for a second before the lady in front of him in the incredible Akemi disguise, grabbed his face and kissed him. She really wasn't Akemi. Akemi wouldn't grab his face and kiss him haphazardly. They never actually got to kiss... And now there he was locking lips with a familiar face and yet feeling totally strange and detached at the same time. He dreamt of this happening. Just not this way. And definitely not with an imposter. More than that, not with Princess watching. From the corner of his sharp eyes, he saw Ai running away. His eyes were welling up and through this hazy vision, he saw teardrops fall behind Ai's hurried steps. She was terrified and hurt. And yet he couldn't move. He couldn't run after her, hold her in his arms, and say sorry. There are these alien lips on his holding him down like a ball on a chain. He wanted to push her away but she had Akemi's face. It was a disguise, he knew, but it was still incredibly difficult for him to push that lady away. Princess... I'm sorry...
"How Interesting. Vermouth, you always put up a spectacular show.", whispered a smiling Bourbon.
The Professor was idly waiting in his Beetle. He leaned back his chair and was half asleep when he saw Ai running towards the car. Professor Agasa sat up and looked closer. He saw that she was crying. He got out of the car and Ai came crashing towards him. She grabbed his sweater and cried in his fluffy stomach. For once she appreciated the warmth of his extra pounds. The Professor was shocked to see her weeping. He knew this was a sad day but he didn't expect her to look this bad. Still he embraced her and smoothed her hair telling her it's going to be okay. If only that were true.
"Shinichi, I'm glad you could come. I'm not sure what to do about Ai-kun.", The Professor said worriedly.
Conan was breathing a bit heavily. "Where... is... she?" He rushed to the Professor's house as soon as he called.
"She locked herself up in her room. I tried to give her soup and tend to her wounds but she wouldn't let me in. Can you help her Shinichi?" Conan could see the Professor's concerned expression under his furrowed brows. The Professor was alone if not for Ai. They were practically family. He was used to Ai being tough and collected. Heck, he was used to being disciplined by Ai when it comes to his eating habits. Seeing her break down like that was definitely disconcerting for the old man.
"I'll handle this. She's going to be sarcastic and sassy pretty soon.", He tried to assure the Professor with a smile.
"Thank you Shinichi." The Professor was slightly relieved to hear that.
Ai ran straight to her room and cried when they came home from the cemetery. There was no whiskey to drown this away. The wave of realization needs to crash down on the little girl's body. I need this. I've been running away for too long. Come on wave. Hit me hard. And she let herself drown.
Three short knocks. Ai was yanked out of her submerged state. "Go away.", Ai growled. I'm not afraid of you Haibara-san. I know you won't bite. Conan slowly turned the door knob and saw Ai's silhouette on her bed with her face buried in her pillow. It was dark in the room and Conan turned on the lights. Ai lifted her head like it was a bag of sand and looked in his direction. The light blinded her eyes for a second and she shielded them with her arm. When she put down her arm, Conan could see that her eyes were red and swollen from crying too much. How long has she been crying? Hours? Seriously? Wouldn't her tear ducts have run out? Conan put down the tray he held on the table beside Ai's bed.
"I brought soup and the first aid kit. The Professor is really worried about you." Ai sat up and Conan saw a few scratches on her knees, hands and legs. She was running away recklessly, even stumbling over pebbles and getting scratches from small rocks. What were you running from Haibara? The Organization? No. You usually freeze at the Organization. This was something worse. Something you couldn't bear. Something you definitely had to escape from. What is it? Conan knew he had to investigate. Ai wouldn't give him the answers he seeks for sure.
"I don't need you take care of me. I can do that myself. Leave me alone." Her voice was colder than usual and her eyes seemed to be in real pain from all that crying.
"You know you can't get rid of me easily Haibara. Just please sip some soup and let me tend to your wounds and then I'll get out of your sight." Ai sighed in resignation. How can I refuse you, you annoying detective? Her shaky hands got hold of the spoon. She gave it one soft blow and the soup's rich aroma filled her nostrils. She took a sip of the soup. It was hot and creamy. Her stomach was indeed pleased that its growls were finally answered. It cleared her foggy mind a bit.
Meanwhile, Conan was fumbling over the first aid kit. He found an ointment and was about to apply it on a scrape on Ai's knee. "You idiot. You have to clean the wound first." Conan laughed good-naturedly and itched the back of his head slightly embarassed. "Seems like you're back to your usual self." He said with a smile. "This soup works wonders. Did you bring this?" Ai inquired while taking another spoonful.
"Oh no, the Professor said Subaru-san brought that in when he heard you weren't feeling well." Ai dropped the spoon and hot soup fell on her skirt. She was a bit startled with the pinch of heat. "Are you okay?" Conan asked quite surprised at her reaction. "Ah yeah. I guess I'm still feeling a bit sluggish. Can you get me tea instead? I'll tend to my wounds. You have no idea what you're doing anyway." Conan let out his childish giggle and said, "You're right. I'll be back in a bit." He headed out the room and looked back at Ai before fully closing the door. Subaru huh…
Subaru was standing near a window overlooking the Professor's house. He saw Conan rushing inside the Professor's house and he smiled. "I guess he's your true protector Princess. I can never always be there." He was deeply disappointed in himself and took a sip of Bourbon whiskey as his mouth was beginning to curve into a frown.
"Need a refill?" The lady from the cemetery was holding up the bottle with a smile. "Why are you here again? And why are you still wearing that disguise?", Subaru could not hide the irritation in his voice. It's her fault that he's in this mess right now. His cover is blown and Princess thinks he betrayed her. Well, better his cover blown than hers. Vermouth poured more whiskey in his cup. He took another sip. If he was to be honest with himself, he knew he can't blame this woman. He was at fault for all this. He could have pushed her away but he didn't. He did this to himself. Maybe it's better that Ai avoids him. Maybe Conan is enough to protect her. And he took another sip. "Don't you like my disguise? Admit it, you miss her right?", the lady said teasingly. "Someone else has my heart and your disguise will not make it change its mind.", he replied firmly.
That woman. Why does she get all the guys? Vermouth was slightly annoyed but she keeps her cool. A woman like her knows how to play these games. She's been playing them for quite some time now after all. "You know, there's only one way you can always be by her side like that detective boy." Subaru knew what she was referring to. He looked at her and got his confirmation. She was holding up a pill between her fingers. It looked like an ordinary pill but with this woman holding it, he knew it was a deal offered by the devil. She enclosed the pill in his hands. He held it up between his fingers right where the moonlight can illuminate it.
Sooo. What do you think? I'm always delighted to hear your thoughts. Till the next chapter!