A/N: It's been a while, so go back to the previous chapter for Summer recaps save the last chapter.
I apologize for this lateness. Life was really hard on me and I had hit writer's block for this fic. Thankfully, it has left me allowing me to write again. Sorry if this chapter's not as long as they used to be, but we're finally nearing the end of the summer yay~
Then the real story can begin.
I do believe that this site has something against underlining. So Kaito's lines would be in bold instead of underlining.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to rachello344, baduk, SaraMatta, Love Psycho, Guest, Hanasuku, Mai-chan63, D, xLynxXo, Alaena F. Dragonstar, Shichi19, Shadowlein, Shara Raizel, mimi100N, mariamest, mochiusagi, icarudsg, littlebunny12, Lmeg, Catottal, thereadingsinger15, ElizabethBathog, and special thanks again to LMeg9.20 for being that reviewer that reminded me to continue the story. Love you all!
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Chapter Nine: Getting to Know One Another: Ninth Summer
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I see him smiling and my knees start buckling
I see inside him and my doubts are gone
She started out as such an ugly duckling
And somehow suddenly became a swan
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Having done this for a while now, every summer since that first one had fallen to a routine of sort.
Be ignored by Ran, follow (stalk) Shinichi, and all three make sure to make a good performance for their fathers, who were mostly and oddly absent during those warm months.
And, as usual, at precisely a quarter past three, they were in the library.
Many discussions have taken place between the two Kudous in the library. Sometimes the topic was about the situation at home, conversations when Kaito was confused that Shinichi wasn't becoming the ruler who was clearly in tune with politics way more than his crowned sister. Sometimes it was concerning their father and their mother - those conversations Kaito usually ignored as even he had a limit as to how much privacy he can breach of his bride-to-be as well as brother-in-law. Sometimes it was about the lands of Kuroba and its wonderful people, comparing it to their homeland. Sometimes it was about the magic of Kuroba and their wonders on how it even worked, or how much they had to admit they truly loved the country's beauty and how they envied it so compared to the plain lands of the Kudou's.
Most often than not, however, usually the conversations drifted towards two main topics. The books they were reading about - which usually were the starter conversation that drifted to the previous topics. And the Kuroba prince himself.
Usually he tends to listen on as Ran complains about him, Shinichi absent-mindedly adding a 'Yeah' or 'Mhm' or 'he did that?', but Kaito always made a note of remembering that Shinichi did so with disinterest, as he was invested in his books, and that was hopeful to the prince, not caring that he had lost his fiancée's heart.
It wasn't the heart he was after anyway.
Sometimes Hakuba would see him there, a shelf or two away from the center of the library where the Kudous were, tended to by Aoko. Hakuba himself was asked not by Ran to keep some distance, but surprisingly by the boy's father. Kaito couldn't help but think that his father had a role in that. Aoko was asked by Kaito to give the two their space, and while she disapproved of his spying, was always there to provide him backup if need be. Usually she just brought them all refreshments.
Sometimes she would add her two cents. "Kaito, this isn't right of us to listen to." or "Kaito, honestly, can't you just go and talk to them, please?" but her advice went unheeded. Kaito knew that Ran hated him with all her might and while it helped that Shinichi wasn't the same, with his sister around him it was like the Earth revolving around the Sun. Shinichi was desperate to keep her happy as much as possible.
If Shinichi was the Earth, Kaito liked to think of himself as the moon. The moon always there even if isn't visible, affecting the Earth in little but big ways like the tides. And of course, when there's a full moon, that's a whole different thing altogether.
Today was a typical day, Kaito was pretty sure, until Shinichi brought up something that he thought he had settled years ago.
There was a spell that allowed musicians to store their sound, or music, inside of shells, and one such shell was currently playing another violin score that the Kudou prince loves so much that he took it up himself. Shinichi had been still for a few minutes now, watching Ran from the corner of his eye while keeping his finger on the corner of the page without turning. His sister was smiling, not looking at Shinichi but avoiding his gaze, studying the pictures of plants in her tome. He cleared his voice and flipped over the shell. His sister looked up and bat her eyelashes at him, curious as to why he would stop the music. "Ran, what do you think about the castle?" he asked slowly, and Kaito knew it was a set up to something.
Ran shrugged. "Alright I suppose. I like ours at home better. May I ask why?"
Shinichi was silent for a few moments before speaking again, and Kaito had to strain to hear then cover his mouth to prevent gasping and revealing himself. "Do you... do you think this castle's haunted by ghosts? You know like back at home?"
Ran sighed, placing her hand on Shinichi's shoulder to rub and comfort. "Shinichi, we've been over this. There's no such thing as ghosts. I love you and know you're the smartest person in the world, but this is the one thing you're wrong about."
Kaito was watching Shinichi carefully as he saw what his sister often missed - Shinichi squeezing his hands tight, closing his eyes, then taking a deep breath. A routine that he does when he's angry. Ran never noticed from what Kaito is aware of, even when they're back home.
"Is this about the blonde lady again?" asked Ran gently, as if cautious to talk to Shinichi about such a thing. And she probably was.
Kaito's heart dropped when Shinichi nodded. "She's starting to haunt me in my dreams now."
Ran frowned as well. "What does she say?"
Shinichi shook his head. "I can't hear her. It's the same thing. It's so foggy and I feel like I'm outside with debris everywhere. She's reaching out for me and crying, but something's holding me back and I can't reach her. I can hear her sobs, but when she speaks everything is silent. I can't even hear my own heartbeat."
"Shinichi…" Ran placed her arm over her brother's shoulder, then pulled her in for a hug. Shinichi tensed for only a moment before relaxing into his sister's shoulders, and constantly blink his eyes, as if trying to hold in tears.
Kaito shortly returned to his room after that.
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
Shinichi rubbed his eyes, exhausted but unwilling to go to sleep just yet. Unwilling to see that woman just yet.
He felt foolish for confiding in Ran. He was hoping that since their parents weren't around she would actually take his side. He was hoping that she would admit she could see them too, so that he wasn't crazy, that he wasn't the bad twin that his parents, especially mother, seemed to see him as.
But apparently she couldn't if she didn't see the blonde woman beside him.
Just then there was a crash at the balcony, making Shinichi frown. He wasn't in the mood right now.
Double doors open to Kid dusting his white suit. Embarrassed that he was only in his long nightgown Shinichi hid himself in his pillow. "Go away," he said, muffled by his pillow close to his chest. ""m not in the mood today."
"What?" Kid blinked, and Shinichi knew he was surprised with his reaction. He loved Kid's visits and having missed him last year made him quite sad towards the end of the summer.
Shinichi threw a pillow at him, knocking over a vase of flowers. Kid easily dodged the projectile and went to save the vase, but was too late. The porcelain vase shatters on the ground, spreading dangerous shrapnel everywhere for Shinichi's bare feet.
With a wave of his hand Kid restored the vase back to its formal self and bent down to pick up the pink roses and red tulips. Handing it back to Shinichi, he smiles softly.
Shinichi easily spotted the passion flower amongst the red and pink, and looked up to the smiling Kid.
Shinichi sniffed, smiling himself as he rubs his eyes. "Thank you, Kid."
Kid winked. "Don't mention it." He grinned even wider. "I have an idea."
Shinichi grinned as well, all traces of sadness gone. "Do tell."
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
"It's just a few more steps…" Kid lightly tapped a stone. "This is it."
Shinichi looked carefully at the ordinary stone with the light from the gem of his necklace of last year. "This is it?"
"This is it," Kid confirmed, lightly touching the outline of the stone with his gloved fingertips. He creates a pattern, making signs and sigils that Shinichi couldn't read but seemed to be working as the stone began to glow.
Shinichi watched in awed silence as Kid concentrated, humming to himself as the stone became brighter and brighter. Finally the stone disappeared, replacing it with a staircase. Kid took Shinichi's hand and led him up the spiral staircase, the entrance disappearing behind them. Shinichi could feel himself be more jubilant as they dashed on, and couldn't help but laugh at the feeling. Kid laughed along with him, humming as he went along. Lights began to flash in various colors, and Shinichi spotted them originating from crystals all around the staircase.
"Where are we?" Shinichi asked breathlessly, needing to satisfy his curiosity. "And that feeling?" he added, basking in the joy in his heart.
"The feeling of…?" Kid trailed off, slowing down as they approached a small stain glass window depicting a scene of two lovers dancing.
He shook his head. "I just have a feeling that something big is going to happen."
"That's some intuition. I get the same feeling. Magic is more powerful here, in the oldest part of the castle," Kid explained.
Shinichi frowned. "Strange, I don't recall ever reading such a thing."
Kid winked. "It's something not many people know of, including the people of Kuroba. When the castle was planned, there were much more magic casters than there are today. This was supposed to be a place of refuge, for it operates on magic and can be manipulated. The Royal Family decided that it would only be used for emergencies. " He smiled. "This was the first structure built in this land. If there are indeed ghosts, they would have to be here."
Shinichi's eyes grew wide. "Ghosts…"
"And with the magic amplified here, she should be able to communicate with us." Kid turned to face Shinichi and he looked him straight in the eye. "I believe you, Shinichi, even if your sister doesn't. We're going to find this blonde woman, and finally figure out what she's trying to say so she doesn't have to bother you in your dreams."
Shinichi was stunned into silence so Kid took the time to read the inscription on the bottom. He twirled his fingers, magicking a key. "Now there should be a lock somewhere…"
Shinichi studied the picture carefully, then held out his hand. Kid gave him the key and Shinichi traced the gap of space between the dancers with the key. "This makes a lock shape doesn't it? What now?"
Kid blinked. "Nice! The passage tricked me; I was looking for an actual lock. Umm…" Kid snapped his fingers. "Just place the key in front of the lock like you're going to unlock it and it should do the rest."
Shinichi did so, and couldn't help but be surprised when the key disappeared in a flash of light and the lovers started to twirl once more.
As they twirled, the window popped open. It was a small room, filled with various trinkets and knickknacks and whatnot. Some jewels there, some paintings there; Shinichi wondered why they were just collecting just in here, but only for a moment for he had more important matters to attend to at the moment. They made their way inside, and only took a step before they froze in their tracks.
In front of them was a pale woman, glowing and had long flowing blonde locks. She was dressed in a simple dress, and frowned as if disappointed.
Kid chucked nervously. "W-well, I take it this is her?"
Shinichi turned to him. "You can see her?"
"Oh, I can see her," Kid replied breathlessly.
"Kudou Shinichi, you shouldn't be here," she chided hauntingly. "Same for you, Ku - "
Kid coughed loudly.
Shinichi didn't care. It didn't matter who Kid truly was Finally – finally someone else who could see her, and just confirmed that Shinichi wasn't going crazy. "Who are you? Why are you in my dreams? What are you trying to tell me there that you can't tell me in person like before? What do you want from me?" Shinichi fired, wanting answers.
She tsked. "Watch your tone with me," she warned, folding her arms. "Haven't you been told to respect your elders?"
Shinichi didn't know how to retort to that. "Pretty sure that only counts for people still living," Kid said, saving him and drawing the woman's attention. "Answer his questions." He added a "please" after that glare she gave him.
She stared at Kid for a few moments longer before speaking to Shinichi. "Right now, Shin-chan, who I am is not important. Ever since last summer it's been difficult. I can't explain anything, a higher power has prevented me from doing so."
"A higher power?" Kid asked for Shinichi, who still shocked to silence in what was going on.
"One of the most powerful magical creatures in all of existence," the woman explained. "She…" She shook her head. "I cannot say. The magic forbids it."
"Was it Akako?" Kid snarled, turning away. "I knew I should have killed the bitch," he muttered under his breath, but the other occupants in the room heard loud and clear.
"I can't say," she repeated softly, with much regret. "I am just warning you, misfortune will fall upon you very soon and it will be not without help for you to be saved." She looked to Kid for a split second. "Trust Kuroba Kaito; there is more to him than meets the eye."
Shinichi locked in on one thing however. "I'm in danger?"
She smiled sadly, placing her ghostly hand on his cheek. "Oh my sweet, darling, child, you have no idea."
o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o
The walk back to Shinichi's room was conducted in pure silence. Kaito placed his arms around the Kudou prince and while he didn't shake him away, Kaito couldn't help but be even more concerned. It was like Shinichi was not with him, mentally even with he was holding his trembling hand. He must have been in shock.
"Well I certainly wasn't expecting that this evening," Shinichi said hollowly. "Thank you, Kid. Hopefully now I can dream of better things."
"Are you okay?" Kaito asked, wanting to make sure that he hadn't just made a huge mistake by trying to prove to Shinichi that he wanted to make him happy.
Shinichi smiled. "I am. You saw her. I know now for sure that I'm not imagining her. And that's all I really needed. Thank you, Kid, you… you have no idea how much this means to me."
Before Kaito could reply, Shinichi kissed Kaito on the cheek, blushing madly.
"Good night, love you," Shinichi murmured so quietly that Kaito barely heard it even with his fine hearing.
Kaito was in shock as Shinichi excused himself to go to bed, and it took him five minutes to get him out of his stupor.
Shinichi was in love with Kid. And Kid was Kaito.
But would Shinichi see it that way when he reveals himself?
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So happy to be here
'Til now I never knew
It is you I've been dreaming of
This is my idea
This is my idea
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Flower Meanings:
Passion Flower - Belief
Rose (Pink) Perfect Happiness, Please Believe Me
Tulip (Red) Believe Me, Declaration of Love
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A/N: Hope this makes up for the lack of Kid last summer! Next chapter is the last summer and the story will officially begin! Finally! Damn it's been a whole year since then. _
So about this chapter. Love it? Hate it? Worth the wait? Let me know in a review! I'm so excited to hit 100 reviews; it'll be a first for me. I'll even offer something! I'll give the 100th viewer a prize – as to what, it's a surprise of course!
And, as always, thanks for reading!