Hey guys. First off I must apologize partially for taking so long to update but also because I messed up the timeline. This might seem similar to the last two chapters and therefore kind of fillerish, this was the best way I could come up with to fix the timeline inconsistencies. Although most of what is in here is necessary, I'm sorry again for this chapter's similarity to the latest chapters.
Replies:
Bunnyz-chan - xD Yeah Saguru will be getting involved soon enough. It'll still be a bit of time before Kaito gets in contact with Conan again and starts relying on him, but it'll happen :3 Yeah he's pretty much in full out denial right now, but he can only keep it up for so much longer.
Picu - I'm so glad! I'll do my best to keep updating without too much time between updates :3
Kain Sinner - Thank you! Yeah Hakuba is going to notice every detail Kaito's not aware of :3 Two more chapters though x.x Sorry
Minervana1 - xD Oh, lazy's okay. I feel that. I'm glad you like it so much :D Oh emphasize huh? That's good xD Yeah the detectives are going to be freaking out soon enough. You're welcome! ^^
SupBunni - That's okay I love torture waay too much for my own good (inner and outer xD). He'll be relying on Shin-chan all the time later on don't you worry :3 Ahha, yeah but he's fixating on that idea of weakness. Aoko probably will find out eventually but she'll end up being one of the last ones to know. Yeah, it's not Akako's fault he's just lashing out. And I'm so sorry I promise I'll get to him soon ahh!
Emptydarkneification - Ohh Hakuba's going to notice for sure but he'll be way too concerned about how sick Kaito is to say anything insensitive (he gets visibly worse).
Anie6142 - Wow I'm flattered you took the time to review all my chapters o.o He's getting worse and worse. Yeah I was just really tired when I wrote that first nightmare and didn't want to keep you guys waiting. xD Ehhe that's for other fic ideas~ (no really forced to watch is a bunch of ideas on the blog). I'll do my best to update more frequently ;_;
GreenTeaLover - Thank you! :)
Guest - *takes strength* Thanks! I'll do my best!
Shirubagure - Ahha we're all in the enjoy Kaito getting tortured way too much party. I'm glad you like the story! :D
-rolls around in the love- Thank you! You're all awesome! ^^
Warnings: Emotional Instability
Disclaimer: I don't own Detective Conan or Magic Kaitou
Chapter 12
"Kuroba-kun - Kaito…" He heard the high-pitched plead in Akako's voice, but he didn't, he refused, to turn around and face her. He had been avoiding her all week. Of all things, he wouldn't acknowledge that the witch who had once tried to kill and enslave him now gazed down upon him with sorrow, that his little rival had looked at him as something broken, and his best friend sensed something wrong and thus treated him differently. He refused to believe something was wrong with him. He sensed her lift a hand to grab him, shying away further before she lowered it. He knew he was trembling, but he refused to believe that either.
"Kaito look at me." He shook his head. He was certain the gesture appeared childish but she didn't comment on it. "Kaito you can't keep ignoring this." He clenched his fists. She couldn't stop him. He heard her inhale before she spoke again. "Kaito you're sick. I can see it. There's a darkness in your aura causing you to grow weaker and weaker. Kaito you need…" She stepped back in shock as he whirled around, his fist centimeters away from her face before he stumbled back, wide-eyed, and pulled his hand close to his chest.
"I'm not!" he shouted, enraged before his voice changed to one of dejection. "Don't call me that. I'm not weak. There's nothing wrong with me. I don't need anything from anyone." Akako swallowed, her heart pounding from Kaito almost hitting her.
"I didn't say that," she responded with uncertainty. He ignored her, retreating into himself. There wasn't anything she could do, she realized with disheartenment. That darkness was certain to consume him but, as long as he refused to acknowledge it, there was nothing anyone could do. "Okay," she raised her hands in defeat. "Fine. But I'm not the only one who might say something. You need to be careful that you don't lose your temper around those you've kept in the dark." She was referring to Aoko, he understood that, and he remembered how he'd nearly knocked her down when he'd ripped his hand from hers. A knot formed in his throat, his vision blurring as he grabbed his bag and took off running.
His breath came in ragged gasps as he slammed the door to his house and leaned against it. He clutched his body in an attempt to quell his shaking, raising a hand to his eyes and wiping the tears from them. A droplet slid down his cheek and fell onto his collar bone as he grit his teeth and clenched his fists. He was tired of being able to do nothing but cry, frustrated he'd show such weakness after the event had passed. Why would she say that to him? He wasn't weak! He pulled his arm back, fingers curling into a ball as he smashed his fist into the wall. Drywall and flaking paint fell to the carpet as he wrenched his hand from the hole, holding his arm parallel with the casted one. Ah – he shouldn't have done that.
The blue fiberglass blurred as he gaped at it, barely conscious of the blood pooling between his fingers. He stood in place, swaying as he clutched his head, the usual nausea returning. Maybe he should lay down for a bit… He stumbled towards the couch, collapsing face first. His arm hung off the edge, beads of blood sliding to the tips of his fingers and falling to the floor.
Aoko strode to her best friend's house, mop at hand with intention to give him a harsh scolding. Stupid Kaito promising he'd walk home with her and then running off without saying anything. "Kaaiittoo!" she shouted, pounding on the door. She huffed, tugging on the doorknob, and was startled to find it unlocked. "Kaito?" she called softer. What was up with him? She'd thought he was okay after seeing him prancing around the school like an idiot, but he kept running off in the middle of class. Thus the reason she insisted he walk home with her. Her irritation flared up, rounding the corner ready to hit him before dropping the mop in shock. "Kaito!"
She dashed up to his sprawled form, shaking him with panic as she pulled up his blood-stained hand. "Kaiito!" What was she supposed to do? Relief overwhelmed her as she heard him cough, tired, indigo eyes blinking up at her in confusion. "Aoko?" Before she could respond, his eyes flew open, and he scrambled to the opposite corner, swaying as he clutched his stomach. He'd put a visual amount of distance between them, and the message was clear. Her eyes narrowed in anger.
"Aoko, I…" he gasped, glancing around the room with fear, refusing to look at her with obvious avoidance.
"What happened to your hand?" she retorted with biting sarcasm. "Another magic trick?" Kaito bit his lip. She'd had enough of his lies.
"I…" His gaze involuntarily trailed to the missing section of wall and hers followed, returning to him with bewilderment and horror.
"Kai-"
"Don't tell your dad!" he blurted out. He stumbled back in realization, hand pressing against the wall as he resisted the urge to slide to the floor and curl up. "I – I mean…" For once, he couldn't think of a decent lie, and the frustration at his inadequacy deepened. His teary irises finally met her gaze, unable to hide his shaking as he begged her, "Please…"
Aoko was at a loss for words. Never in all the years she'd known him, had she seen Kaito so frightened and vulnerable, even when his dad had died. She stepped towards him, reaching out a hand and freezing as he cringed. She let it fall, looking at him with a hurt expression, tears in her eyes as well. "Kaito what's wrong? What happened? Why won't you tell Aoko?"
Kaito swallowed, pressing himself further into the corner. He wanted to shout at her – Nothing's wrong! – that she should leave him alone. He clenched his fists behind his back, inhaling in a calming manner. "I'm sorry. I can't… tell you. It's, it's something happened recently that has me out of sorts." He shook his head, standing up and moving out of the corner. "It's something I have to deal with on my own." He sent her a tender smile. "I'll be alright, I just need some time to myself."
Aoko sent him an uncertain, scrutinizing glare. "You want Aoko to leave?" She frowned as she heard him sigh.
"That's not what I said…" he muttered, gaze fixating on the floor.
"But that's what you want…" she finished for him with an irked huff. "Fine," she snapped, and he flinched at the animosity in her voice.
"Aoko…" he started, running up to her but pulling away at the last second. "I'm sorry." She turned to look at him, expression softening at the lament in his voice.
"Aoko doesn't believe you," she sighed and his eyes widened.
"Huh? But I really…" She shook her head.
"Not that. Aoko doesn't believe you'll be fine by yourself." She watched him shift with discomfort, avoiding her eyes once again. "But… Aoko will you leave for now."
He raised his head in surprise, biting his lip. "And you won't tell…?" Her eyes narrowed again as she leaned towards him.
"Aoko won't tell Tou-san," she retorted, searching his face. Not yet. She watched him nod before storming off, upset he'd shooed her off. Her pace slowed after a few minutes before she stopped halfway between her house and his. Why would Kaito mention her dad? She partially wanted to tell her father anyways, somewhat out of spite but mostly in concern. Yet for an unexplainable but instinctual reason, she felt she couldn't tell her father. Somehow… that would make things worse. She wiped the tears from her eyes, taking off running. Stupid Kaito! How could he be so mean? That he… he wouldn't even tell her something was wrong. He would lie to her face instead.
A sigh of relief caught in Kaito's throat turning into a sob as he saw Aoko leave and his knees dropped to the floor. He pulled his legs close to his body, burying his face between them. Some part of him, perhaps the weak, childish part wanted to tell her, wanted someone to make the images and nightmares, the uncontrollable panic he suffered every time someone came near him, to make it stop. But if there was one person he didn't want to know what happened, what, what that man did, it was her. He'd never let her know the truth. Never.
Next chapter is super important to the story so look forward to that. My goal is to get it up within a week. I'm super excited to write it! ^^
Harass me on tumblr when I don't update. Sometimes I need a little push.
