She was able to focus most on the pain in her stomach. Shock had numbed her senses, but her eyes remained riveted on the stain spreading over her top. She wet her lips and drew a shuddering breath, looking up at the one who had signed the contact to her death. She lifted her own hand to her stomach, gently pressing on it. Already, she knew it was in vain. That shot had been true. Only a doctor could save her, and she would never get to the hospital in time.

Ran lifted her eyes to her attacker, meeting his gaze. "I told you," she said softly. "I've never even met a 'Sherry'."

The man, Gin, sneered at her. He gripped her hair and dragged her to her feet. Suddenly the pain was back, and Ran cried out as her wound began to burn. His breath stank of smoke as he hissed, "I know that. This has nothing to do with her." He released her and Ran fell in a heap, curling in on herself as she trembled.

"I'm—not—afraid," Ran finally choked out despite her pounding heart and the cold sweat breaking out on the nape of her neck.

She was forced to meet Gin's eyes, colder than ice and utterly ruthless, and she felt her heart skip. "You will be." Her eyes widened as he withdrew a knife from its sheath. The blade was long, sharp teeth reaching out, starving for blood. She drew back, a chill descending over the room that reached into her very bones. A rough hand gripped her hair again, jerking her head back so she faced the ceiling. Silver glinted in the corner of her eye and she felt cool metal against her cheek.

"Gin. Stop now."

The man paused. Ran dared not move as the blade continued to press into her skin, stinging as it drew its first blood. Then, slowly, Gin drew back and stood. Ran collapsed against the wall. The assassin's back blocked her savior from view, but she already knew who it was. She had recognized his voice. When she shifted just to the side, she saw him.

"Kudo," Gin growled. "I thought I killed you—again. How did you survive this time?"

Shinichi regarded him coolly. "Hello, Gin." His gaze shifted to meet hers, his eyes softening. "Hello, Ran."

A gun cocked. Gin aimed the barrel so it was pointed at Shinichi's forehead. "How. Did. You. Survive?"

And suddenly Shinichi's form flickered. His jaws stretched into a wide grin, the skin of his face seeming to disappear so his very bones were visible. One moment she was looking at Shinichi, the next he towered over Gin, his clothes becoming a black cloak, a hood falling over his eyes and casting a shadow over his face. Then he flickered again and her childhood friend was back, an icy smirk on his face. "I didn't," he said, and his voice was almost triumphant.

He stepped forward and was gone, reappearing only a foot from Gin, still moving as though he had crossed the distance in one step. A hand wrapped around the man's throat and threw him, right across the room, away from Ran. She watched with wide eyes as Shinichi vanished again. When she blinked, he was kneeling beside the assassin.

"Are you afraid, Gin?" The detective asked. His voice was almost sad.

Gin met his gaze with a sneer. An instant later, he was on his feet and Shinichi lurched back. A wooden handle stuck out of his chest. Ran screamed.

Shinichi doubled over with a cough. Then, slowly, he rose up again. He stared at the knife's handle in a way that was shocked and almost irritated. "That hurt." She watched as he gripped the handle and drew the blade out in one quick movement. It glinted with silver, not a trace of blood on its surface. His hand dropped to his side, the fingers going limp. There was a clatter as the knife hit the ground.

And now Ran felt scared. The person, the thing before her was not human. It was not Shinichi. Her breath was baited as it held out its hand. As though waiting for this movement, a scythe materialized in his patient grip. The handle was ivory, carved to look like vines crept over its length and around the base of the blade. Its tip was sharp, deadly.

"You had a chance, Gin." It's voice was a cruel mockery of Shinichi's own, laced with sadness that felt real but couldn't be. "If you had accepted death, you would have repented for your sins and had a chance for Salvation."

With a long, weary sigh, he reached forward and touched Gin's chest. The man fell back as though he'd been shoved. "I have seen your soul and deem it Evil. I have weighed your heart and deem it Guilty. As your judge, jury, and executioner, I sentence you to Hell." He raised his scythe. Shinichi's form vanished, the Reaper appearing in his place. Gin was silent, but his eyes were wild, enraged. He was not scared. He was a madman, and he did not fear death.

The scythe swung down. Ran turned her head away and did not see what happened next.

When she looked again, the scythe was gone, and Shinichi was back. He walked towards her. Tears blurred Ran's vision as she shrank back, pain flaring in her stomach. Distantly, she realized it might not have been tears making her eyesight go awry. She shut her eyes.

"Ran." Its voice was gentle. "Ran, look at me."

A careful hand cupped her cheek. She tried to turn away, but he stopped her. "Open your eyes. Come on, Ran. It's me. It's Shinichi."

She opened her eyes. There he was, with a sad and tender smile on his face. "I know what you must be thinking. And no, Ran, I'm not human. But I am Shinichi. I promise."

Ran looked into his eyes and found only sincerity. "Shinichi?" She whimpered. Her voice was weak. "I don't want to die."

The fingers moved, sliding down to wrap around her and pull her into an embrace. The pain made her wail into his shoulder, but he did not let go. "Shhhh," he soothed. "You're going to be alright." With his words, the pain vanished. He drew back, allowing her to lean against the wall again.

"Don't be afraid," Shinichi told her.

Ran drew a shuddering breath. "What happens next?"

Immediately, he shook his head. "I can't tell you. That's something everyone has to find out themselves." He reached out, offering his hand. "Don't be afraid."

And again, Ran looked into his eyes where he silently willed her to trust him and follow him into death.

She took his hand.

Well, I realize this is a bit of an overused concept, but I rather enjoyed writing this. Except, the part where he's like "I have seen your soul" seemed a bit corny. I was thinking of adding a joke, but the mood was to sombre for it. So, this is it.

Also, life's been hectic lately. Family issues and whatnot and it all really sucks but hopefully things are going to get resolved. That, or another argument will start up and we'll be back to square one. So, story updates may or may not be delayed. Apologies, but there's not much I can do.

Finally, those who have been looking forward to the final part of 'Ghost', don't worry. It'll show up, just not at the moment. ^^

EDIT: I realized hours after posting this I had forgotten to actually proofread this. I am so embarrassed.