Ladies and gentlemen! I humbly welcome you to the nineteenth chapter of this story!
Please enjoy and review!

Kaito groaned quietly as he stirred into consciousness. Confused and groggy, he tried shifting to the side and blankly wondered why his bed was so uncomfortable. He could clearly hear birds chirping away outside and the wind whispering its endless song as it played with the curtains. He wanted to sleep some more when his stomach grumbled angrily, forcing his mind to surface further out of the pleasant numbness. He sighed heavily and noticed another sound in the background. Somebody was talking and he knew their voice all too well. It was Aoko. His first thought was: school. He was running late again…

And then, the memory of Aoko gently cradling his head on her lap with her hand caressing his whiskers, hit him like a truck.

He jolted into comprehension, snapping his eyelids open only to shut them again, clenching his jaws to keep himself from crying out in pain. When he tried to jump to his feet, his body unexpectedly refused to listen to him and shot spears of pain into his injured shin, forcing him to curl up instead.

Slowly, he took a deep breath in and then let it out, pushing his body to relax. Carefully this time, he pulled one elbow behind himself to sit up. He noticed that he was laying on the floor, with his legs just barely not sticking out through the open, sliding patio doors. As the curtain flapped on the light breeze, Kaito noticed a trail of disturbed grass in the backyard outside. Another testimony that his memory from yesterday wasn't a dream. Aoko knew…

The only saving grace was that he wasn't wearing white, as he thought grimly and turned his attention to his leg, pulling the cover away. He grimaced at the slight mess he made on the crumpled sheets underneath him and pulled up the pant leg to take a look at his injury. It was still wrapped in the handkerchief which he secured it with back in the forest nearby the museum. Although now he could barely make out its color, as it was covered in dried blood.

Before he could decide whether or not he should take it off now, he heard somebody walk in. Kaito turned his head only to be met with Aoko's scowl, as she crossed her arms over her chest. She was obviously angry at him. Which was probably a good sign? He didn't know anymore…

Slapping on his poker face, he smiled at her. "Hey Aoko~ What's up?"

Her eyebrow twitched in annoyance and she bawled her fists. "What's up..? Is Bakaito being serious right now..? After wha-" she paused, her expression instantly changing from anger to horror. "What happened to Kaito's leg..?" As the words left her lips he automatically moved his injured limb to hide it under the cover. "Kaito!" She scolded him angrily.

"What? It's nothing-" the lie slipped from his tongue before he could stop himself but she interrupted him with an angry growl and stomped towards him, all but ripping the cover from his leg, revealing the mess underneath.

"It's not that bad," he spoke up quickly before she could, because it really wasn't.

At least it didn't seem like it was. There was blood on the blanket but it wasn't soaked. It was more of a stain really, just smudged all over. Which combined with the now brownish-red handkerchief wrapped tightly over his pale skin didn't paint a very nice picture. Instantly he realized that there was probably more blood in the broken shrubbery just outside. He would have to clean it up before she noticed but it wasn't something he had to worry about now.

Looking angry again, Aoko pursed her lips and turned to meet his gaze with a glare. "Bakaito better tell Aoko the truth or-"

He scuttled away and raised his hands as if giving up. "Ok. Ok! Jeez, you can be scary!" She crossed arms over her chest. "I'll tell you! Just… could you bring me some bandages and antiseptic first?"

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh? So which is it? Nothing, or does Kaito need bandages?"

He sighed, deflating. "Give me a break… Please?" While he would have liked to argue with her, he was far too distracted for it right now.

She rolled her eyes. "Fine…" she grumbled before turning around and walking away.

After she stomped out of the room, he glanced to the right of the entrance and noticed a blue couch. It was just a few steps away but Kaito didn't really want to put any pressure on his injury. Instead of walking he just awkwardly pulled himself over and then onto it, careful not to bump into the small coffee table next to it.

He would have liked to just sink into the pillows and rest but felt too fidgety for it. There was little time before she returned and he had to figure out what he would tell her. To occupy his hands, he folded his injured leg and started picking at the bloodied handkerchief to try and pry it off his skin. In the meantime, his mind ventured all the possibilities of what he could tell her to satisfy her curiosity. There was also the matter of explaining the injury without revealing his nighttime occupation.

Because there was no way that he would come clean about being KID right now as well. Dealing with one disaster at a time was enough, thank you very much. Besides… He figured that it would be easier for her to accept that her childhood friend changed into a dragon on occasion than that he was the person she hated the most in the entire world.

At times like this he really hated the legacy he took upon his shoulders…

"Would Kaito stop that?" Aoko scolded him as she walked back in with a large plastic bowl full of medical supplies. "Don't just tear it off, Bakaito should soak it first!" She put the bowl harshly on the couch beside him. "Wait a little, Aoko will bring some warm water."

"Uhm… Thanks," he mumbled after her as she walked to the kitchen annex in the corner of the room and turned his attention to the supplies she brought.

He busied his hands with placing everything neatly on the coffee table and the bowl on the floor but his mind still wondered. He still had no idea what to tell her and if that all wasn't bad enough he realized that he had to hurry and get a hold of his phone, which he left at home so he could contact Jii. The guy was probably losing the last of his hair by now from worry…

Neither he nor Aoko said a word and the room was filled with a tense silence, disturbed only by the quiet hum of water filling the pitcher. Kaito felt himself tensing as she finally turned the tap off and walked over. She placed the pitcher roughly on the table within his reach and stepped away to lean over the armrest. Although he didn't look up at her, he felt her heavy glare on him.

"Thanks," he mumbled as he reached for the pitcher and was careful not to spill any water on the couch or the floor as he started slowly soaking his makeshift dressing.

"Now explain," she demanded with a strained tone.

He heaved a heavy sigh to cover for a grim chuckle that was threatening to leave his lips. "Would be great if I knew how…" he grumbled honestly with his gaze firmly fixed on the droplets, colored with his dried blood, slowly crawling down his leg.

"Kaito," she growled with a warning tone making him click his tongue in annoyance.

"I'm not trying to pull anything here, Aoko. Seriously." He pursed his lips, fighting to hold back the anger for how helpless he was feeling and continued with an even tone "Up until recently I didn't even know that I could change into that… thing. I still don't know why it suddenly started."

He took her silence that followed as an invite to continue, so he did.

"I just randomly transformed about about two weeks ago. Didn't really think it was real at first. Thought I just had a weird dream, you know. But things have gotten strange, so I tried to figure out all the how's and why's. Still feels like I know nothing. No idea if it's some sort of a curse or…" he cut himself off and just shook his head. "In the end I just transformed yesterday again. It was my third time now. Not sure when it will happen again."

She still didn't say anything, making him start to feel fidgety. There was not much else he could reveal.

"Sorry about the tree," he swallowed thickly and started picking on the edge of the handkerchief again to see if it would come off now. "I was on my way home when I just… fell."

He really was sorry. That old maple was a living reminder of a simpler and happier time. A time when he didn't have to lie to her. A time when he still had a father and the world made so much more sense.

"Is that how Kaito injured his leg..?" she asked quietly, finally breaking her silence.

He shrugged, figuring that he could roll with that as an explanation but not really willing to confirm the lie. He still wasn't sure what the injury looked like. It felt like a gash but for all he knew there could still be a bullet wedged inside. He pulled the cloth a little bit too hard and partially ripped some scab from raw, vividly red skin. It did hurt but at least he had a new angle to pour water in.

His hand froze as a smaller one gently touched it.

"Kaito is only making it worse," she mumbled and slipped off the armrest to sit beside him. "Let Aoko help."

Not sure how to react, he did what he always had. Without even sparing her a glance, he smiled cheerfully and replied: "Nah, I can handle it~ Don't worry," he tried to sound reassuringly and push her lightly away with his elbow but Aoko's fingers only clenched harder around his hand. Only now did he notice that she was trembling.

"Stop being stubborn for once! Aoko just wants to help Kaito!", she all but cried out, sounding as if she was choking on sobs.

With the smile long forgotten, he finally raised his head and actually looked at her. She was clenching her jaw, desperately trying to keep her chin from trembling. This made him realize that she wasn't shouting at him because she was angry. He hurt her, didn't he..? And to top it off, she was scared now. He held back a sigh and the need to whip away the tiny tears from the corners of her eyes, as she turned her head slightly to the side trying to hide it. Giving in, he put away the water pitcher, and turned around, lying down on his stomach.

"Just… try not to make it worse, will you?" he grumbled as he tried to tease her but knew the joke wouldn't land well as soon as he said it.

He winced and braced himself for the inevitable fallout. But it didn't come. She just carefully grabbed his leg and laid it on top of a towel on her lap.

"Why didn't Kaito tell Aoko anything..?" she whispered with a broken voice, as she gently wiped the dried blood off his skin with a gause and poured more water at the makeshift dressing.

The hurt in her tone made his heart clench, making him bite the inside of his cheek. "Sorry…" he mumbled. "But would you even believe me if I told you that I'm a monster?" No, that wasn't right. He didn't mean to sound like he was accusing her. He had to try and smooth it out. "It's not like I can show you to prove it. Besides, even if you would believe me you would either just be scared or worried. Didn't think there was a point in that…"

"If Kaito had spoken with Aoko, he wouldn't be calling himself a monster!" she shouted at him, sounding angry again.

Surprised, he glanced back, raising an eyebrow at her. "Excuse me? Have you seen how I looked? Huge, snake-like body, scales, claws, sharp teeth - I'm pretty sure most people would agree that description fits a monster," he replied with a snort because really, this girl was just impossible sometimes.

Curiously enough, it was her turn to avoid his gaze. "Aoko might have been a little scared at first but then she noticed that Kaito looked kind of cute."

He twitched, nearly falling off the couch after hearing this. "What?! Aoko, now I'm actually getting worried for you!"

She leveled a glare at him and then smirked. "Really? Because Kaito looked to Aoko like an oversized, scared and helpless puppy. With his huge eyes closed and doing his best to look smaller than he was!"

He felt a blush threatening to creep onto his cheeks so he turned away with a huff. "Psh! That's the last time I try to spare you a scare," he grumbled with annoyance but actually felt relieved to have her teasing him like this.

"Mhm… Then Aoko will have to defend herself, so Kaito won't be able to blame her if he gets his butt kicked!"

He hummed with amusement. "Feel free to try~ It's not like you can ever hit me, no matter how hard you- Agh!" he choked out in pain as Aoko tightened the bandage a tad bit too hard over his injury.

"There - all done! Bakaito should learn when to taunt Aoko~" she explained, her words dripping with satisfaction.

A thought of kicking her off the couch did pass his mind but regardless he only pulled legs up and turned to sit, leaning down to loosen up the knot a little. "Should have expected your brutality to shine through…" he grumbled in annoyance, noting absently that the dressing was really well made.

She grinned back at him. "Kaito deserved it and he knows it~" Her expression turned more serious and she looked down before continuing. "So, what now?"

He raised an eyebrow at her, still gently rubbing his leg. "What do you mean?"

She glared at him. "Aoko is obviously talking about Kaito's problem. Kaito said that he tried to figure it all out? What did Kaito try? And no more secrets, ok?"

He flashed her a crooked grin. "Oh~ I don't know about that~ Kekeke~"

She gave him a slap on the back of his head, which he didn't even try dodging but still complained loudly. "Aoko didn't mean Kaito's lame tricks!"

"Hey!" His tricks were anything but lame!

Her expression softened and she gave him a stern look. "Aoko just wants Kaito to trust her. Even if Aoko can't help, she will listen at least. Bouncing off ideas might help too."

Talk about the mood killer… He was enjoying their little back and forth. She would probably hit him again if he said that what he wanted to do right now was to eat, right?

He sighed and ruffled his hair, deciding to actually answer her. "Yeah, I hear you. The thing is that I'm not sure what to do anymore. I've been through most, if not all stories involving dragons and it doesn't feel like it led me anywhere. I did want to try and turn out of my own will but I have no clue how. Just thinking about it and really wanting to transform sure doesn't work…" he confessed with a grimace.

She smirked at him. "Oh~? Does that mean that the Great Kaito is giving up already~?"

Annoyed, he glared at her. "I didn't say that I'm giving up. Only that I'm currently out of ideas. Or maybe you have any? Not like I'd expect any good ones out of you though…"

She glared back at him. "As a matter of fact Aoko does." That perked his interest and he didn't bother hiding it. "Aoko called Hakuba-kun to come by. He should be here soon too~"

Kaito felt like he was hit by a truck. "You did what..? Wh-why?" he gasped out.

She rolled her eyes, oblivious to his distress. "Aoko knows that Kaito got into a fight with Hakuba-kun. But he is a good friend and despite what Kaito says, Hakuba-kun is smart and is a great detective. And he is a good friend. Aoko is sure that we can figure something out with his help~!"

He cursed in his mind. This was probably the worst case scenario. Should he run? But with his leg like this, it was impossible. He should hide. But where? More importantly, should he take Aoko with him? Would Saguru hurt her, if he didn't find Kaito? After yesterday, he didn't know what to think anymore. Because he was fairly sure that Saguru was responsible for the unexpected wall of fire.

"Kaito..!" she got up pumping her fists, trying to get his attention and he turned to her, grabbing her by the shoulders.

"Aoko. What did you tell him?" he asked in a stern tone, demanding an answer.

Surprised, she twitched away from him but he didn't let her go. But before she could answer, they heard a voice from outside the open garden door.

"She didn't really have to tell me anything, Kuroba-kun. While it took me embarrassingly long, I have finally figured it out myself."

Kaito let go of Aoko and slowly turned around, his expression stiff as steel. He saw Saguru standing casually in the doorway, holding the curtain open with one hand and smiling pleasantly at them.

"Pardon the intrusion. I didn't want to interrupt your conversation." As neither replied to him, seemingly shocked by his entrance, he continued in a light tone. "You must have been amused, seeing me fool myself, right?" he chuckled softly. "I have heard that each ryu has a very specific scent. Which was exactly what led me to believe that you can not be one when I couldn't smell anything from you. My mistake hadn't occurred to me until I found your blood last night. Because guess what it made me realize..?" He grinned menacingly showing teeth making Kaito suppress a shudder. "Not having any scent at all is pretty special~"

"Haku-" Aoko started cheerfully and tried to step towards him but Kaito swiftly got up and grabbed her hand, pulling her behind him.

"Leave." He wasn't sure himself whether he was talking to Aoko, or Saguru but it probably didn't matter. Neither would listen.

Saguru raised an eyebrow. "Why the hostility? I admit that I might have acted a bit excitedly when seeing your true form but I assure you that I have nothing but good intentions-"

"Good intentions, my ass," Kaito all but hissed out at him, clenching his hand tighter around Aoko's arm, making sure that she was behind him. As if that could help… "You killed those people yesterday. Burned them to a crisp!" They might have been his enemies but nobody deserved such a fate.

He heard Aoko gasp behind him in shock and saw Saguru's eyebrows shot up. "Wh- I did no such thing!" he argued and took a step inside, making Kaito twitch as he braced himself. "I made sure that nobody was where I breathed. Besides, I only did it to protect you."

Aoko broke off from Kaito's grip before he could reply and shouted at both of them. "What is going on?!" She turned to Saguru. "What is Hakuba-kun talking about? What exactly happened?"

Saguru looked confused between them and settled on Kaito. "You didn't tell her what I am? I… Thank you, I appreciate it. Although seeing how precious she is to you, I did intend to let her in on the secret," he added with a soft smile and turned to her. "Aoko-kun-"

"Don't…" Kaito mumbled, already predicting what was going to happen and barely containing his body from shivering.

"It's ok," Saguru pressed, gently cutting Kaito off, as he carefully looked around him and continued with a soft tone, while pulling the curtain away so it would stay open and slowly started walking away backwards, "You see, Aoko-kun, I'm a dragon as well. Just like Kuroba-kun. But a different kind, you see. Now, don't be scared please…" while he explained small sparks began to dance over his features and a glow seemed to spread over his chest, underneath his shirt.

Kaito didn't wait to see him change. He barely caught a glimpse of the sparks further enveloping and covering him he spun around, already running. He slammed into Aoko's waist with his left shoulder hoisting her up and taking her with him. But he had no idea where to go. If he left the building Saguru would pin them down in no time. He doubted that any room could hold out if the dragon decided to attack. And there was no basement in this house. Should he try and hide upstairs? A choice good as any.

He was about to sprint out of the room but he just couldn't get his balance right and slammed his head sideways into the doorframe. He heard a booming voice behind him but it only fueled him to continue moving. He wrapped his hand tighter around Aoko's waist and turned towards the stairs when…

"You're hurting Aoko!" Saguru's desperate shout finally reached him.

What?! Kaito all but froze and whipped his head to look at the girl. His eyes widened as he saw a white, scaly arm holding her tightly and lost his breath as he noticed that she wasn't moving. At all… She was just hanging limply from his shoulder and as he stood there he heard the quiet tap-tap of red liquid dripping to the floor. In his ears the sound was deafening, like a sledgehammer.

She didn't move… SHE DIDN'T MOVE!

His lungs burned as he didn't dare to even take a breath. All he could do was stare. He should check if she was breathing. Help her. Do something. Anything.

"Calm down Kuroba, please. I'll call for help, but you have to put her down," Saguru, again in his human form, said softly, while very slowly coming closer.

Kaito turned his head to him suddenly, hissing violently and baring his teeth. He didn't have the mental capacity to try and speak nor did he care to. Saguru all but jumped away and raised his hands, hastily hiding behind the corner. With him out of sight, Kaito turned back to Aoko, murmuring soft, incomprehensible sounds and so very gently curled up around her, gingerly holding her, not daring to close his palms and risk scratching her. He carefully touched her face with his whisker, wrapping the other around her waist. She was still breathing, although weakly. He leaned towards her, touching her gently with his head. Begging for her to be fine. He couldn't lose her. Not like this. He shook as he felt warm blood streaming down his arm. Her blood. No, no, no…

He felt the same strange warm and electrifying surge well up in him and he closed his eyes. Suddenly, through his eyelids he was blinded by a red flash and all plunged into the abyss as he lost consciousness.

Now is the time for bets - can Kaito's day get ANY worse than it already had? xD

If you liked the chapter or have anything to say about it please do consider leaving a comment - reading them makes my day, so I would greatly appreciate it! :D

Hope to see you next chapter *bows*