'One Truth Prevails
Chapter 11
Normal Again
Jimmy and Rachel's eyes widened and they looked towards one another, before back at Kagome.
"You should take it, Kagome!" Rachel said with a nod. "I mean, you've gone through so much trouble already, and because you're stuck with us you got poisoned by the B.O. So you should take it and return to normal."
Jimmy nodded, fully agreeing with her, but Kagome shook her head.
"No guys," Kagome said sadly. "I have no one waiting for me anywhere. My home in the Tokyo shrine is empty, my family is dead. My first love ran off with his, and I sealed the Bone Eater's well so I can never go there again. I have no reason to take the potion. I can just live out my childhood once more. One of you should take it."
Just hearing Kagome's words made Rachel's heart clench. While she did have many points, it was sad to think she didn't want to be a teenager again. Now, Conan and her did, but they had family alive and well, happy and waiting for them to return to their normal selves.
"If you're absolutely sure, Kagome," Jimmy said softly. "Remember, only one of us can have this like you said, right? And I'm not sure when or if we'll get back to ours regular bodies without the help of these potions."
Kagome nodded sadly. "I know, and I'm sure. One of you guys should have it."
Jimmy sighed. If Kagome wasn't going to have it, then he wouldn't either. He wanted Kagome to have one friend her own age, and even though it would make Rachel sad...
...He just wasn't feeling what he used to feel for her anymore.
The other night, when they were together alone and Kagome was out, he just didn't feel that spark that was always there whenever he was with her. He didn't feel the way he would when she usually touched him in any simple way, or the way she would speak or look wouldn't make his heart flutter or skip a beat anymore.
Sure, he still loved her, but now...
It was starting to feel more of a brotherly-sisterly love. He didn't know why. Perhaps it was because he had been stuck as Conan for so long, that he had unconsciously began to realize that there was no place in his life for her as Conan, because Jimmy was gone, or so he thought, until he became Jimmy again.
He sighed.
Love was awfully confusing. Even as a great detective, he didn't get it.
"Then you should take it, Rachel."
Rachel turned to look over at Conan and blinked several times in surprise. "Me? But you're the one who has been stuck like this the longest, Jimmy! You deserve it, not me!"
"No!" Conan exclaimed, making both girls jump. "I mean...I never meant for you, or you Kagome, to get into this mess with the B.O in the first place. I wanted you all safe, and if the B.O had to think Jimmy Kudo was dead to do so, then so be it. I couldn't let anyone else know my identity. I can't take the potion, not just yet. I have to find them and make them pay. I can wait a while longer."
Rachel sighed. She sure wasn't winning this one...
"Fine. Give me it," she said, holding out her hand. Kagome smiled and gave it to her.
Rachel drank it slowly, but all in one gulp. She handed the empty glass back to Kagome, then headed up to her room. She needed a new change of clothes, and she didn't want the others to see her change. She needed privacy for this, and for that they could both understand.
'...Jimmy...' she thought as pain overwhelmed her body. It was as though every bone in her body was melting, and she was growing....growing....
Conan and Kagome both winced when they heard Rachel scream. Thank god Richard wasn't home..
A few minutes later, all was oddly quiet, and the two took to the stairs to see if Rachel was alright.
"Rachel?" Kagome called. When she got no answer, she frowned and looked over t Jimmy.
"I hope she's okay..."
Jimmy nodded. "So do I," he said softly, knocking on the door.
"Rachel? Rachel!"
He began to grow worried, but the door was still open, and he turned the knob slightly, peering inside.
He sighed.
Rachel was lying on the ground, back to her normal age.
'Thank goodness,' he thought to himself, walking over to her.
He smiled as he watched her, reaching out a hand to gently touch her cheek.
'You don't deserve to be a part of this mess,' he thought to himself. 'I'm sorry I ever got you in such danger, Rachel.'
TBC
A/N: Thank you for the reviews!! I'm not sure how much longer this story will be, by the way.
