A.N:

Yes, I admit that last chapter was VERY VERY VERY...short. So i tried to write longer... This chapter was supposed to be two chapters but I combined into one. but this is the last chapter I'm updating this month! See you in December!

Disclaimer: ME DON'T OWN DC OR MK

Marionette Act 10

Kaito had lost his purpose of thieving. There was no thrill or excitements anymore even if Hakuba was there. And he wasn't trying to steal for its worth in the first place anyway.

It's been a year since Shinichi's death. Akako disappeared, Shinichi is gone, and he had no one to go to anymore. That's when he realized he was more alone than he had ever thought. Shinichi's body is still missing, and the case closed, just like that. He truly regretted it; he let go of Shinichi and he never saw his REAL face and the truth about him. He didn't want to make the same mistake again...but he did. He still left, he still hurt the people he was close too...

However he somehow survived the whole year without Shinichi, partly because he can't be dead, and finally the anniversary of his lover was approaching. The media went crazy, digging up old files that's related to Kudo Shinichi and his death a year ago. The fan clubs and the police arranged a memorial for him. Kaito isn't going to attend though. It was just too depressing, reminding him the truth he always have known, that Kudo Shinichi is dead, opening up his fragile wound on his heart.

He hesitated on visiting Shinichi grave...but Kaito figured his parents and his friends will make a visit. He didn't want to be seen by them.

Kaito had lost his real smile long ago, along with his reason to live. He only had his empty poker face left. He just couldn't understand the people who want to live forever. When everything they hold dear is lost, that's when they'll realize their mistake of their desire to be immortal. When they have no reason to live but have to continue living, what can be more painful than that?

Kaito got a job along the year; he had to make a living some way or another anyway. And ironically he got into the police division for catching thieves, and he was unsurprisingly quite good at it too. The new thieves had no creativity or originality, Kaito criticized, although that wasn't the problem there... Then at night when he doesn't have any extra work or night-shift, he would perform his magic at clubs to relive his stress and depression he gets from time to time.

But today, he planned to stay home, locked up, all alone. He already submitted his form for a day-off and was lying on his sofa just gazing at the ceiling with blank stares.

'Shin-chan would probably be mad if he sees me like this,' Kaito thought as he smiled bitterly. 'Then what can I do, Shin-chan, but to grieve for you and regret my mistake?'

~.~.~.~

"He didn't come..."

"It's only natural," Ai said to the owner of the voice whom she was next to. "He didn't even come to the funeral. He's probably at his house...all alone..." She suddenly trailed off and made a sad expression.

"I should've come sooner..." The person said bitterly. "But I guess I ran out of luck," the person sighed. "Well, I'll come back again when I'm ready. And when HE is ready."

Ai narrowed her eyes. "You ARE really cruel..."

"...I know."

~.~.~.~

A year then yet another year have passed. The fellow officers who are in Kaito's division realized the pattern of his day-off. He always took a break on one particular day whether called in sick or just for a vacation. The co-workers have asked numerous of times but Kaito kept insisting them it was just a coincidence.

And that was just 2 years ago. It was already the 5th anniversary of Shinichi's death. Kaito, as usual took a day-off, and the HQ didn't really appreciate his absence however thinking there is some reason to it that he cannot say aloud or explain, they granted him permission.

Kaito walked tiredly to his apartment. And there hung the once great Kaitou Kid's outfit. He missed the old days and yet he didn't. He missed the excitements and thrills the heist gave him and could use some more of thrills however ever since the Pandora incident, he wasn't too sure. He was more careful now-maybe a little TOO careful-although he can't be killed whatsoever. It was like a phantom pain... Then he breathed in deeply and took out a black suit that looked like it was hardly ever worn. He dressed himself up and tried his best to tame his hair. When he looked inside the mirror to stare at his own reflection, his fist clinched. His face was the same as 25 years ago. Kaito wanted to just punch the mirror and break it, erasing his forever youthful reflection. He has always wore masks or put on make-ups when he goes to work and acted like he was a completely different person than Kuroba Kaito. He was sick of it. He wondered if he could escape from it for a while if he were to visit Shinichi... However before he could think it through, he has already bought a train ticket to the destination.

~.~.~.~

Ai brought a bouquet of white lily and set it aside the grave of Kudo Shinichi beside the many others. People who know where the grave is have already visited the place. She paused when she felt someone approach her.

"Is it alright to leave it like this?" Ai asked the new-comer while staring blankly at the grave.

"Yeah, but again, HE didn't come..." The new-comer replied with a disappointed voice. "This is the fifth year; if he doesn't come, I'll go and find him, no matter what."

Ai only glanced at the person now standing beside her. "What took you so long to think that?"

"Way shorter than it took for HIM to make a visit..." The person muttered.

~.~.~.~

Kaito paced back and forth near the entrance to the field. He was just half-way there to his Shin-chan. The sun was starting to set already, Kaito realized. He didn't bring any masks or make-ups so if someone was there, his secrets would be surely out or at least be in trouble... However his legs carried him to the place...

...

It wasn't long until the moon started to show, bringing the stars with her. He reached the grave and no one was at the site. He sighed in relief and sadness, and knelt to his knees and sobbed.

"Shinichi, I'm sorry I came too late. But I really missed you..."

"Don't cry..." A voice was spoken behind the ex-thief and pulled the unaware immortal teen into a hug.

"Who are—" Kaito was kissed by the soft lips...the lips he had missed so much... Warm and red...alive...and HIS. He would recognize these lips, this taste anywhere! Kaito was released from the kiss and stared at the kisser, stunned.

"You really missed me?" A sarcastic smirk made its way to a familiar face. Kaito tears just seemed to freeze then stop flowing. The person chuckled and wiped it off from the teen's face.

Kaito smiled and pulled the person in front of him to a deeper kiss than the one before. They moaned, lost in their own little world and Kaito finally spoke, "Of course, baka!" Kaito bumped his fist at the person's head. Then he smiled and confessed in a whisper, "But yeah, I really missed you..."

"Shinichi." Kaito spoke the name of the other person as if it were a spell; a spell to lead him to his happiness...

~.~.~.~

"Do you think he met Kaito?" Kudo Yusaku asked his wife.

Although in the mid-sixties, the young-looking actress (AKA women's enemy number one) replied, "Who knows? We'll find out tomorrow right?"

The Kudo senior shrugged. "Hmm."

TBC

Was it still short? Well...can't be helped. thanks for the reviews and please R&R!