Disclaimer: I don't own DC.

-Warning: Kids shouldn't be allowed to read this. Containing violence and vehemence and so...

Better Late than Never

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Chapter 11

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Shiho Miyano*

I couldn't hold my tears as I pushed him towards the doorway and closed it behind. I know well that this is the only way though it is so hard for me to be apart from him. I've loved him sincerely and will always do as long as I have time in life. I couldn't imagine in my sweetest dreams that he can love me back one day and today my almost-impossible wish came true. I don't want anything from life besides his safety. I had to convince him this way because it is the only way to protect everyone else; my second family. Yes, they were like my second family but more. They gave me everything I didn't own; friendship, trust, happy moments, and a place called home. And I just can't return all the graces they gave me by taking away their own lives. I know now that my hours in life are counted. As soon as Gin knows that my mission had failed, he won't hesitate to take his chance and fulfill his long-life wish by eliminating me. I don't have to be so selfish. I realized that this is going to happen from the very beginning of creating the APTX 4869 that I will have to pay for my deeds. At least I could meet Akemi.

I knew that I will never kill Kudou. How can I kill the only one I love? I just wanted to make a last attempt to warn him of the comings. At least I did something before I die.

Suddenly, I was startled by the ringing of my phone. I answered knowing well who it would be.

I pushed away all my running thoughts when I heard Gin's stiff voice.

"Gin,"

"Sounds like you tore his body into pieces, Sherry. Meet me at the old abandoned building in the fifth block and throw away this phone after I hang up." he remarked in his stringent voice and hung up the phone before I could say a single word.

I stared at the phone hanging in my trembling hands.

Then I made my decision. For everyone's safety, I should make my inescapable sacrifice.

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After a few seconds, Shiho got out of the house firmly pulling her arm where the sore pain has overwhelmed on. She took a long last glance at Hakase's house; the house where she found the true meaning of family, the true meaning of love and friends which she hadn't realized before. She assumed before that all those things where just existing in fairy tales where every one would live happily ever after. She was blinded by the black cover of the Organization which seized her. And now as a gratitude for all the ones whom helped her and gave her strength to move on and accept her fate, she made her decision without a moment of hesitation.

Getting her gaze away from the house, she turned her head toward the calm gloomy street before her and began walking. She ignored the stern pain that her injured arm caused.

Shiho was walking mindlessly not bothering to notice the path right away before her that she happened to almost struck into a wall.

Six minutes later,

Without even realizing, Shiho found herself ahead of an old abandoned building; the one Gin had spoke about earlier in his call. A shiver was running down her spine when realizing the fact that she was going to Gin; the murderer of the last member of her family, and the most desirous person to cut off her neck from her body. Nevertheless, she hadn't given up and she didn't even hesitate for a moment.

Firmly, she took her first step entering the building. It was completely sunk in darkness. Blinking a few times in order to get used to the dim light surrounding her, Shiho walked in. She noticed the boxes and steel tunnels scattered here and there. It was literally abandoned.

Feeling the tense gloomy atmosphere around her, her eyes scanned the spaces searching for a living human being but it was all in vain.

'It seems he didn't come yet.. Weird.'

She frowned by the thought. Gin was always in time during those special moments when he awaits his victim and—

"You know I don't like waiting my dear Sherry." a stiff yet familiar voice reached her from behind causing a startle for her. However, she managed to hold it on and hid the fact that her heart beats were raising against time.

Putting on her usual trademark cool facade, she turned to face him abruptly. No wonder she didn't notice his existence with this black hat and coat. It was nearly impossible to distinguish him from the barely dim lighted surrounding. His black aura made the ambiance even duller. However, his long pale blond hair managed to make an eerie contrast.

"Old Sherry is back, I see." he stated.

"I like you more in that form. You know, you seem more useful." Gin whispered in her ears. Shiho failed to hide a disgusted look retreating back a few steps to get out of his reach.

"Oh my, you are wounded, dear. What happened?" he said in a sarcastic way.

"Yes, I haven't succeeded in what you told me." Shiho put the most serious semblance she could have put on and bit her lip rather a habitual deed when she was worried than a regretful endeavor but it seemed to help her in the fully act. Shiho couldn't look up toward his flaring gaze. An eerie silence greeted her words. It was not until she heard a drastic laugh breaking the silence. Shiho couldn't help but look at him skeptically, her eyes forming a frown as his evil laugh still resonated in the empty building till what seems like an eternity.

Anxiety was the only engulfing feeling inside her and grew even wider when saw his awkward attitude. She managed to talk eventually. She didn't have another option to think of.

"What's so funny?" she asked at him incredulously.

"And what happened to make you fail in your... mission?" Gin asked, adding the last word airily.

"I was going to shoot him but he managed to run against me and held the gun. When I pointed to him and shot, he twisted my arm and the bullet hit my arm." She turned to look at her injured arm pointing to it with her eyes. Actually, she seemed a great actress. If Yukiko has seen her in that situation, she would have convinced her to be one. Nevertheless, Yukiko would never be there. Neither did Shiho think she would like to see her in this place.

"Mmm, interesting." Gin muttered wandering around her. Smiling perniciously, Gin stepped forward against her till he became closer.

"You shouldn't have left the Organization, Sherry. Your abilities are getting much lower. ", he stated.

Shiho looked at his harsh sinful eyes.

'Did he really believe me?'

She asked herself mentally, since he is saying that her abilities gone low in self defense and so.

"You didn't realize from the beginning, did you?" Gin smirked. Shiho furrowed her brows not totally understanding what he was pointing to.

"What? Understand what?" Shiho snapped out skeptically, failing to hide her worried expression this time.

"How pitiable! She didn't even realize now." Gin talked about her sarcastically as though she wasn't there at that moment.

Shiho looked at him confusedly. She knew there is something and it was no good at all.

"This is all a deception… a hoax. From my own preparation," Gin's smirk grew wider as he saw her expression.

"Looks like I have to explain. At least you have to know the way that brought you down," Gin said in pride as if he was in a show, and beneath him there was audience applauding.

"What surprised me most is that you actually believed that the boss wanted you among us after your betrayal."

Shiho was stiffened in her place without blinking.

"I've always wanted to send you to death with my own hands. I would never let anyone do it but me. Look how much I cherish you my."

"Oh. I'm flattered." Shiho, who began to understand the very thing, smirked back despite her dangerous condition. Her eyes were staring at him in emotionless.

"You've never changed, have you? I wanted to enjoy the scene of your blood covering the ground just as your executed sister. Um, what was her name again? Oh yeah; Akemi." Gin chuckled when mentioned the last name. Shiho's rage came back to the surface and overwhelmed her. Her fists tightened and were shaking of flare. When he mentioned her sister, she couldn't hold them anymore as her hand slipped fast forward towards him immediately. However, her hand managed to stop by the effect of the rigid hand grabbing her wrist staunchly as though it was going to squeeze it.

"Don't you dare do it again." Gin remarked menacingly. Gripping her wrist even much harder, Gin knocked her to the ground as a threat. Shiho landed way far from her last spot, his hands were utterly vigorous. Her head hit the ground soundly. The world seemed to collapse over her but she managed to stay conscious. She felt the overcoming pain due to her injured arm which landed hardly on the ground and started bleeding again. Shiho tried to get on her heels but failed as her ankle seemed to be sprained. Grinning atrociously at the pale Shiho in front of him, he stepped on his knees to be in her gaze level.

"Where did I stop? Oh yes, well I thought that your death had to be special. So I told boss that I've already finished you and planned for you a unique death to suit you. As you know Sherry, watching my victims before I execute is my favorite hobby. So what if the victim is Sherry; the one who betrayed us. You know I began getting tedious from your long hiding.."

"After that long-lasted fleeing, you deserved The boss told me to shut you instantly.." Gin smirked leaning forward holding her chin up to force her look into his icy stare.

"I wanted to fool you for a time just the same you did with us."

"So you betrayed your boss as well." Shiho smirked.

"I did, but let's look at the brighter side. You will be dead in both ways." Gin grinned evilly.

Shiho spit on his face, disgustingly.

"You are pathetic!" Shiho yelled in his face.

Gin's face got fully fuming; he pulled her by the collar and crashed her towards the wall.

"You will regret this!" he bellowed totally infuriated, his eyes sparkling with fury. Leaving her, Shiho fell on the ground. Every muscle and bone in her body twitched and ached. She couldn't get her gaze back to Gin as it blurted out a few minutes by the dust on her eyes. However, she felt a sudden great pain in her leg with a concealed click resonated over the place. Gin had shot her.

'I thought it would last faster'

Shiho flinched by the great pain and felt a stream of liquid gushing on her legs. Blood. Her eyes gave off a lone tear not baring the throbbing pain.

"So tell me, why didn't you kill that detective?" Gin asked indignantly. Shiho ignored his question and closed her eyes recalling a picture of him; Shinichi Kudou. The idea of killing him has never crossed her mind. Her bleeding mouth curved a little drawing a slight smile at his thought. 'I hope you live happily, Shinichi'

Suddenly, she found herself pulled against the wall once again.

"I ask... You answer. You understand?" Gin turned back to his poker intimidating face.

"So why didn't you kill him?"

"Okay, Hard question? Do you love him?"

"You have nothing to do with him!" Shiho hollered.

"Yes? Sherry's in love. That's remarkable. Good for me, no one knows about him except me so that I cherish his death just as yours. You should be thankful; I will get you back together after all." Gin laughed hysterically.

"So little Sherry... No farewell to your soon-to-be-murderer?" Gin asked smirking as he got closer to her.

Shiho struggled against him but he was way stronger. He pushed her head against the wall even much harder than before. Shiho felt dizzy. The world However she fought back, pushing him away with all her remaining strength.

"I wonder what your detective would say about this." Gin smirked. A gun shot was heard throughout the whole place. Gin left Shiho as she collapsed not able to get on her feet. Gin turned back looking at the one who shot his arm.

"Don't you dare touch her!" A determined voice filled in the vacant place.

Shiho looked at the one who was holding the gun sternly as well before her vision would black out. Her eyes widened in fear and shock.

'Shinichi'

"So the charming knight came to save his princess." Gin taunted, ignoring the shot in his other arm as he turned his other arm towards Shinichi aiming at him the gun who was aiming back at him.

"Bad for you, detective. I don't like interruption." Gin said as he drew his gun towards Shiho ready for pulling the trigger. Shinichi crashed into him causing them to fall together and the bullet wronged its aim, fortunately.

Shinichi put all his strength in a punch directed to Gin's face. However, he dodged and missed his punch. Instead he punched him back. Shinichi drifted back on the ground.

Ignoring the blood gushing from his nose, Shinichi drew his gun (the one Shiho gave him) without getting his attention. Gin was picking his gun from the ground then turned to find Shinichi withdrawing his gun back. He knocked him on the ground booting him downwards.

He pointed the gun towards Shinichi whose eyes were filled with fury getting ready to shoot. Suddenly, Shinichi's eyes widened as he saw Gin collapse to the ground showing Shiho who was panting behind him holding a steel tunnel.

Few seconds passed, Shiho broke down passing out.

Shinichi ran towards her, catching her before collapsing to the ground.

"Shiho," he called her.

"Please hold on." he pleaded holding her hand tightly. Shiho opened her eyes softly, taking a glimpse of him.

"W..Why did you..come?" she stuttered between her speeding breath.

"Because I can't lose you, Shiho." Shinichi wiped away a few tears at the edge of her eye as she closed her eyes.

"I love you." His eyes softened as he looked at her unconscious state.

"You will be okay, Shiho. I promise"

He stood carrying Shiho in his arms, enfolding her face in his chest.

To Be Continued...

I think this is the longest chapter I've ever writtenز

Waiting for your reviews!

Edit : I checked it one more time to see if there's any mistakes. That's so tiresome! I hope you all like it after all this effort.

Pheww *wipes sweat over my forehead~~