Whoa, isn't this a surprise? XD Not! Well, I realized that I should be a bit kind to you guys after the last chapter, I mean, Shinichi with his dying and everything..
Shinichi: *glare* u r so dead if u kill me..
Me: How? You're dead, so you can't kill me..
Shinichi: I wasn't talking about me! *shrugs*
Kaito: Kill him and die *holds cardgun*
Me: ... o.o; w-well.. *turns away* I hope this chapter may hold some shit that'll make his mood better ^.^0 Oh yeah, and have the tissues ready okay? Oh yeah, before I forget, some paranormal-like shit's about to happen, so don't expect some normal stuff onwards.. I mean, Pandora... black, pottle, kettle? Seriously.. Touichi.. what the hell have you been doing, you had Pandora, well, actually, your wife, AND you died? There's some serious stuff Gosho-sama makes, come on.. well, yeah, I'm ending this rant =.=;
Warning: Cliche sappy teary shit!
Chapter 19.
Pandora And The Guide.
"Kudou? What're ya doin' here? I thought ya went home?" Heiji asked as Shinichi appeared in the waiting lounge. The Osakan teen grabbed the soda he had just gotten, but nearly dropped it when he saw Shinichi's face.
"Kudou, what's wron'? Ya look horrible." he said. Shinichi gave him a forced smile.
"I'm okay.. for now.. for the moment." he came over, staggering a bit. Heiji frowned. Shinichi stopped a few inches to Heiji side, making the teen turn.
"Yeh, that looks 'kay to me, ya look like yer drunk, an' has a cold at the same time, what's wron'? Is whatever that's killin' ya gettin' worse?" he asked. Shinichi sighed.
"It's not 'whatever' anymore Heiji.." Heiji gaped. Shinichi never used his first name, and he never used his', it was some sort of untold rule between the two. So this meant it was really serious. Heiji furrowed his eyebrows before he laid a hand on his friends' shoulder and was surprised to find the teen trembling.
"Kudou.. what's goin' on?" he asked. Shinichi turned his head.
"I've got cancer Heiji.." Heiji stepped back in shock.
"What? No.. ya.. ya got to be kiddin' Kudou, ya.. have.." but he knew that he was speaking the truth. Shinichi looked down.
"It's a tumor at the base of the brain nerves.. I'd either die, or go brain dead." he explained, keeping his voice low. Heiji grit his teeth.
"An' yer just givin' up?" he asked, glaring a bit. Shinichi shook his head.
"No, not anymore, but I found something that might help.. both me and Kaito.." he said, lifting his hand, showing Heiji the black gem. Heiji eyed the gem with some anger, and at the same time, remorse.
"Why? Why ar' ya riskin' it all on a damn gem? How do ya know if it's even work?" he asked. Shinichi gave him a weird smile.
"I don't.. but I don't want to lose Kaito, nor do I want him to lose me, and.. I want to apologize to you.." he said, turning to face Heiji, giving him a sad, but sincere smile. Heiji shook his head.
"Why ar' ya apologizin' to me? Ya may have been actin' weird, but ya've been up in a situation most people can't handle." Heiji stated. Shinichi smiled.
"I've been a bit of a jerk lately, even you would agree to that, I just.. I think I finally realized what matters the most." he said. Heiji nodded slowly, then he sighed.
"Ya have changed.. but I think it's for the good, and yes, ya've been a bit of a jerk, but who isn't when the one they love is layin' in a bed, most probably forced to be there the rest of his life?" Heiji asked, then he patted his friends shoulder.
"It'll be fine, go an' speak with him Kudou, I think it's time ya act out yer feelings truthfully, more than before." he said. Shinichi smiled, nodding.
"Thank you Heiji, and if we survive this.. start calling me by my first name please.. we're closer than just comrades or rivals, we're friends." then he walked away. Heiji closed his eyes, lowering his head.
"Damn ya Kudou, don't die on us.. survive.. an' live, both ya an' Kuroba... ya'll find the cure.. Shinichi!" he thought before he opened his eyes, sighing.
"Hattori-kun?" Heiji turned and stopped.
"Oh, Neechan, what're ya doin' here?" he asked, grinning, although forced.
"I needed to speak with Shinichi and heard he came here.." she said. Heiji looked down.
"Ya probably shouldn't.. not right now." he said. Ran frowned.
"Why? I have so much I regret.. I need to apologize.." she said. Heiji nodded.
"If there's time.. then maybe ya can, but right now, he needs to speak with Kuroba, alone.. with whatever time they've got left, he needs this, they both do." he explained. Ran furrowed her eyebrows.
"What? What do you mean with whatever time they have left? Is Kuroba-san dying?" she asked. Heiji chuckled, although it wasn't a happy one, it was sad, and full of grief.
"No, it's Ku.. Shinichi.." he said. Ran's face suddenly struck with pain, shock and sadness.
"W-what?" she asked in shock.
"He has a tumor.. Neechan.. he has cancer in the nerves to his brain.." he said, and she broke down in tears.
"But, then I wont be able to..." she couldn't talk anymore as sobs broke through.
"Ya will be able to apologize, but right now, he needs some time with Kuroba, there might still be a way to save both.. if Shinichi knows what he's doin'." he said.
"You mean.. there's still a way?" she asked, crying more. Heiji smiled.
"Yes.. if it goes well.. we'll just have to pray, to hope they'll survive."
"If Pandora does work.. yer takin' a huge risk Shinichi, don't screw this up!"
Kaito sighed, staring out of the windows to his right. There was a knock on the door and Kaito turned his head to see Shinichi entering. Kaito started smiling right away, raising his healthy arm.
"Shinichi, you came.. despite having left to rest." he stated. Shinichi came over and sat down, smiling sheepishly. Kaito took his hand and held it tightly as the magician noticed that Shinichi was trying his hardest to keep up his smile.
"You're getting worse aren't you?" he asked, his smile fading. Shinichi nodded.
"Yes.." Kaito looked away.
"I can't do it.." he suddenly said. Shinichi frowned.
"Can't do what?" he asked.
"I can't watch you die.. I can't let you disappear from me, whenever I'm asleep I keep having horrible dreams where you walk away, or drown, or something, and you always leave me behind in the darkness.. I can't.. do it anymore.. don't die!" Kaito stated. Shinichi gave him a bewildered look, then he sighed.
"Then, I guess there's only one thing left for us to do." and he lifted his hand, showing the black gem to Kaito.
"You mother had this." he said. Kaito nodded slowly.
"Yes, it's the wedding gift from dad, what about it?" Kaito asked. Shinichi smiled.
"Because.. this is.. Pandora.." and Kaito's jaw fell.
"W-what? Y-you mean, dad had it.. all along?" he asked in shock. Shinichi laughed before he nodded. Kaito gaped back, still not able to comprehend.
"Hah, you've to be- and he just had to have it himself didn't he? The hell's up with that?" Kaito muttered, but he was smiling either way. Shinichi looked past him.
"The moons still up, that's how I figured it out, and with a bit of help from Touichi-ojisan himself of course." Kaito furrowed his eyebrows.
"How?" he asked. Shinichi smirked.
"You obviously didn't read your own books about gems, he left a riddle on the page about this gem, there's no way it could be wrong so I held up to the moon.." he said and lifted his hand, holding up to the moon.
"By the way, how did you get in? It's pretty late, only Hattori is still here.." Kaito said.
"Well, I got in because of the cancer.. it's not easier than that, but I didn't have time to let the doctors see me so I just came here, they'll probably be pissed off, but I needed to show this to you." and the moon shone through the gem, suddenly bathing the room in crimson light. Kaito gaped.
"Wow.. it's.. beautiful, just as I thought it would be.." Shinichi smiled.
"So, what riddle was it anyway?" Kaito asked.
"The truth lies in the moon's light, a crimson ray of light will guide the true one to it's home through the core of this beloved clover." Shinichi said and Kaito's eyes widened.
"Of course, White Clover.. how obvious!" Kaito barked, then he coughed a bit.
"Don't reopen your wound." Shinichi said. Then the teen gave the gem to Kaito.
"I believe Touichi-ojisan wanted you to have this." he smiled when Kaito took the gem and held it up to the roof.
"I can't believe that.. in all these years it was right in front of my nose, and yet I never even considered that dad would have Pandora." he said in awe.
"Well, it can't be helped, maybe that's why he left the riddle?" Shinichi suggested. Kaito snickered.
"Maybe it is, who knows, that man was a mystery." Kaito stated. Shinichi smiled.
"Not more than you Kaito.." he said. Kaito grinned.
"He is my father after all." he said. Shinichi leaned down.
"I wanted to tell you this Kaito.. I love you.. more than anything, and everyone.. but I was scared to admit who and what I am.." he whispered. Kaito nodded.
"That was my fright too, come here." Shinichi leaned down and their lips met, sharing this rare moment, that might be one of the last they'd ever share. Tears appeared in Kaito's eyes, although closed.
"I don't want him to die.." and yet, he had no idea Shinichi was thinking along the same thought.
"I don't want to loose him, ever." and suddenly there was an explosion of light, blinding both. Shinichi gasped and stood up. His whole body was burning, it felt like he was on fire, but it didn't hurt, it actually felt good. Kaito was writhing in bed, looking very uncomfortable, but at the same time, he didn't look like he was in pain. Then everything around them seemed to have been erased and Shinichi found himself standing in front of Kaito, who stared back, then the two smiled.
"I don't know what the hell happened, but I don't care as long as you're here." he said. Shinichi grinned.
"Right back at you." the two laced their hands together, not seeing the shadow hanging a few feet away.
"And that is you're wish?" said a male voice. Kaito and Shinichi turned their heads.
"Whose there?" Shinichi asked, suspicious. Kaito however, just stopped him.
"Wait.. that voice.. could you be.. dad?" Shinichi turned back to Kaito, then he looked at the shadow as the dark white broke down into a hat, monocle and a cape, all white. That ever present smirk, and blue shirt, adoring the red tie that matched. Those blue eyes that held only amusement and care of the life in the world.
"Kaito.." his voice was gentle, and it was soft. Kaito's jaw began to tremble and Shinichi let him go. Kaito turned back to him.
"Go Kaito.. you have a rare moment with Touichi-ojisan, treasure it." Kaito nodded and ran over, soon burrying his face in the white dress, arms wrapping around him.
"I've missed you so much." the teen whispered. Touichi smiled sadly.
"And I've missed you too, you're mother too.." he looked at Shinichi and this playful grin appeared on his face.
"If it isn't 'niisan'." he teased. Shinichi snorted.
"Touichi-ojisan, no matter what name dad gave you, I don't care much, but you will always be like an uncle for me, not a little brother." he stated, coming over. Touichi grinned.
"Yusaku has always been one to give me names, just like you're mother to you." he said and Shinichi turned red.
"D-don't talk about that!" he complained. Kaito pulled away from Touichi and snickered.
"Dad.. um.. Shinichi and I.." he began, but Touichi's smile and nod stopped him.
"I knew, I've been watching over you and Chikage ever since I died, and besides, it was obvious ever since you two were just kids.. you were overly convinced you'd marry Shinichi-kun when you grew up." now Kaito was the one to turn dark red.
"I-I was?" Kaito then whined.
"Damn, such a good idea, why can't Japan legalize gay marriage." he muttered. Shinichi and Touichi laughed.
"Um, Touichi-ojisan, why are you here? I thought we were swallowed up by Pandora or something." Shinichi said, turning serious. Touichi raised an eyebrow, then he laughed.
"No, this gem only need one soul as it's guider, the only reason your here is because I wanted you to." Kaito frowned.
"One soul? Does that mean that your soul.. is.." he began, but stopped when Touichi nodded.
"But I don't regret it, I'd rather stay here so I can always watch over my family that perish and way out there somewhere for you to join me.." he said, smiling gently. Shinichi placed a hand on Kaito's shoulder.
"Besides, you're not alone, never been either." he said. Touichi nodded.
"That's what's so great about true friends, no matter what, they'll always be there for you!" Touichi said, smiling. Kaito nodded, then started smiling as well, although more sheepishly than Touichi.
"Well, I guess it can't be helped.. but what do we do now? I mean.. I'm paralyzed.. and Shinichi.." he stopped there, lowering his head. Shinichi smiled sadly.
"What happens happens, I don't mourn over things that will come before they come." he said. Kaito looked away.
"I know I'm selfish.. but I don't want to let you go.." he muttered.
"That's not selfishness.." Touichi said. Kaito looked up at him.
"What do you mean?" he asked. Shinichi chuckled.
"That's the love speaking, Kaito, did you think you were the only one feelings selfish, I too was, and still am like that!" Shinichi stated. Kaito gaped.
"I.. I guess.." he stuttered.
"Well, time is running out, boys listen to me." Touichi suddenly said as the scenery around them -which had been white all the time- suddenly changed to a green field, blue skies and bright, pink cherry trees.
"This is were I live, and it's pretty comfortable, it even has the four seasons and all sorts of animals." he said, and when he said it, a dove landed on his head.
"Where do you live you said? Do you sleep under the trees?" Kaito asked. Touichi laughed while Shinichi sighed.
"No, I live over there." he pointed to something behind Kaito and Shinichi and the two turned to gasp. Before them stood a large mansion, it was beautiful with while stones, marble and gentle, cream colors. Shinichi smirked.
"Only the best for the best magician in the world." he said. Touichi chuckled.
"Thank you, well, let's get going." he said and started walking towards the mansion. Kaito and Shinichi followed behind. Soon they entered a beautiful garden. It was obvious from the roses and other flowers growing that the garden was well cared for. There was marble stones placed as small paths straight up the mansion, as well as some the went off somewhere. They entered through the double doors and passed the hall, the large stairs and soon found themselves within a large room, it had a wide, oval window in the roof and Shinichi couldn't help but think of the library at home.
"Touichi-ojisan, what is this room for?" he asked. Touichi smiled.
"It's for those who deserve what Pandora can give them, only those I see worthy can enter this room." he explained. Kaito and Shinichi nodded.
"Now go and stand in the center please.." Touichi stated and they did as they were told, suddenly Kaito turned.
"And.. when we're finished.. we'll go back? Can't we stay a bit longer?" he asked. Shinichi looked down as he gentle wrapped an around Kaito. Touichi sighed and shock his head.
"I'm sorry Kaito, but this is the last time we'll meet." he said. Kaito looked down, a hurt expression on his face. Touichi came over.
"Remember, always keep your poker face, and amuse those who want to be amused, never lose faith and hope, and please tell Chikage that I love her with all my heart and always will be there, watching over both her and you." he said. Kaito teared up before he threw himself into his fathers arms.
"I don't want to let you go.. I don't want to know that you're right there, but not able to talk to you." he cried out. Shinichi looked away, keeping his face calm, but his eyes revealed his sad thoughts. Touichi wrapped his arms around his son, holding him tightly.
"I don't either, but there's nothing we can do about it, the only way for me to know you are both safe, is this way, and I'd more than gladly give you a part of Pandora and myself to make sure you are back on your feet again and never alone.. I'm so sorry Kaito, I really am.." Touichi said. Shinichi turned back, giving Touichi the very same expression that Kaito had earlier.
"But, at one point, we'll all die, what about you? Wont you be here for all eternity?" he asked. Touichi smiled.
"I don't have too, at some point another guider will come and take my place as I took the place of the previous one." he explained. Shinichi looked down.
"I can't help but.. pity you.. I know it's bad, but, doesn't it hurt, being a few feet away from your family, but not able to show it, talk to them or even help them when they're in danger?" he asked. Touichi nodded.
"It was tormenting, and still is, but I have learned to grieving over it wont help.." he said. Kaito held tightly around Touichi's waist, not letting go.
"Kaito, there's little time left now, you have to let me go.." Touichi said, smiling sadly. Kaito shook his head.
"I don't want to." he muttered, his eyes open, serious, but with tears flowing with it's own free will. Touichi sighed and pried his son's hands away from him, keeping his own hands locked in his.
"I know it hurts, but we will meet again one day, someday when someone takes my place, until then, we will stay apart, but I'm never far away, and whenever you talk to me, I will listen, but I cannot answer.. and for that I'm sorry, but Kaito, you have Chikage, and Shinichi-kun, and your friends, and Jii-san, you're not alone.." he said. Shinichi came over and pulled Kaito with him back to the center. Kaito didn't go willingly, but he didn't complain, just dried his tears. Shinichi held around Kaito as Touichi pulled away, not looking the teens straight in the eyes, and Shinichi knew why, but didn't say anything because he knew Kaito would act upon it.
"What you will be granted by Pandora is something only a selected get's, cherish it, but don't show it, no matter where you are or who you meet, there's one thing that you can know, you will live long, and you will suffer the loss of many friends." Touichi said as some sort of circle appeared around Kaito and Shinichi, then a hexagram inside it with some sort of scribbles, all of it shining red. Shinichi looked at Touichi.
"But we'll never be alone, because we have each other." he said. Touichi smiled.
"That is right.. and your hearts will guide you to where you belong, never look back, never stop, keep going, keep learning.. and never give up." Touichi stated and Shinichi nodded, smiling a bit.
"And quoting Chikage.. Kaito, Shinichi, love does not see boundaries, it sees only the possibilities of the heart." he said. Kaito looked up at him, then down.
"I know, you taught me that." he murmured. Touichi smiled.
"And you must teach others that too, I'm sorry we didn't get time to talk.. but I promise, some day, we'll meet again, and then, we can talk, laugh and walk together." he said. The light grew stronger around them as everything around them began to fade. Kaito hid his face in Shinichi's shirt as Touichi too, faded away.
"Goodbye Kaito, my dearest son.. and Shinichi-kun." he whispered as they disappeared from his sight, and he from theirs.
The room never showed any signs of there ever being anyone before a bright light exploded and suddenly Shinichi was back were he once stood, and Kaito in the bed. Both opened their eyes, seeing the gem that was floating in front of them. Shinichi gently took it, it was warm, but he put it in his pocket, shielding it from the moons rays.
"Kaito.." Shinichi began. The magician moved in the bed, then turned away.
"I need some time to comprehend that.." he whispered. Shinichi smiled.
"But not alone Kaito, I'm letting you get depressed on me." he said, sitting down on the bed, and then he flickered his hand, making a dove appear out of nowhere. Kaito turned his head back as the dove landed on Shinichi's head, nesting the hair. Shinichi smiled gently, using his hand to brush away a few strands of hair from Kaito's forehead.
"Kaito, Touichi-ojisan will always be there, but crying over him will only leave him sad too, we have to be happy, for our own, as well as his sake." Kaito didn't agree right away as Shinichi pulled away, looking down at himself.
"I feel light.." Shinichi suddenly said. Kaito looked at him.
"I.. do too.." he murmured. The magician looked down the bed and lifted a leg, then another.
"And I can move my feet." he stated. Shinichi stared in shock.
"I can't believe it.. I really can't.." he said. Kaito suddenly laughed, albeit a bit sadly.
"I guess, I'm glad you did bring Pandora after all.. I know I'm being a jerk by childishly refusing to let dad go, but at the same time, I'm glad I got to see him again, once more and at the same time, know that you're safe." he said. Shinichi furrowed his eyebrows.
"I'm fine? Oh.. you're talking about the tumor." Shinichi smiled sheepishly as Kaito laughed.
"Did you really forget?" Kaito asked before he yawned. As did Shinichi.
"Sleep, and I'll head home to get some too, tomorrow I'll be picking you up!" he said and leaning in, capturing the other teens lips. Kaito eyes closed just about instantly and then returned the kiss. When they parted, Kaito was smirking.
"So, you're admitting to be gay?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Shinichi smirked.
"Don't get full of yourself Kaito.. it'll blow back at you, besides, if I'm gay, then so are you!" he stated. Kaito grinned.
"Well, I am, and I admit it wholeheartedly." he said, laughing a bit. Shinichi snickered and stole another kiss, then he yawned.
"Sleep you stupid magician.." he whispered. Kaito smiled.
"You too Shinichi.." Shinichi straightened up before he gave Kaito a grin.
"By the way, there's a heist tomorrow, I'm taking that." he said. Kaito gaped.
"Aw, come on, don't steal my work." he said, pouting.
"Pfft, this once I'm taking, after that, it's all yours." Shinichi said, laughing as he walked over to the door.
"Fine, this once I'll let you dress in white and roam freely, just don't get shot or captured, god knows I'm not letting Hakuba take you down." Kaito stated as Shinichi reached the door, opening it.
"Got it, good night Kaito, I love you.." he whispered the last part, but Kaito heard it anyway, because his smiled turned into a full on smirk.
"I love you too Shinichi." he coed. Shinichi blushed before shutting the door in embarrassment. The teen shook his head to clear his thoughts of what had been going on. Well, now he was willing to believe in ghosts too, after all, he had just been talking to a guy that's been dead for eight years, and that was really weird for him.
"Ku- Shinichi." Shinichi turned and saw Heiji walking towards him, together with Ran. The teen stopped and frowned.
"What are you doing here past visiting time?" he asked Ran, who blushed.
"I.. just wanted to- you're the one to talk." she glared a bit, but Shinichi just smiled.
"I know I know, arrest me please.." he held out his hands like a guilty man and the other two laughed of him.
"So, hows Kuroba?" Heiji asked. Shinichi smiled.
"Tired, but otherwise fine.." he said. Suddenly the detective swayed, dizzy. Heiji grabbed his shoulders.
"Whoa there, ar' ya sure yer fine then?" Shinichi gave Heiji a tired smiled before darkness claimed his senses.
... *cries* you don't have any idea how sad this was to write 8A8 Ah, we all need a father-son moment or... mother-daughte- whatever, you get my drift.. I was actually crying when I wrote that moment, it was so sad, and.. I felt like it was... needed.. somehow, I can understand that Kaito didn't want to let him go :P
Shinichi: wait... did just.. Pandora..
Me: Heal you? How the hell should I know, you just passed out, so stay unconscious damn it!
Shinichi: ... *glare* shut up..
Me: Anyway.. yeah, as everything has ended with this, I guess I'll go and write the heist then :P I mean, Shinichi is playing KID again, willingly, something is wrong.. I swear..
Shinichi: Just go and die somewhere..
Me: =.= Kaito, your Shin-chan is being mean again..
Kaito: .. :D Shin-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan~
Shinichi: GAH!
Me: See ya later okay? And remember to review :D