Disclaimer: *sigh* Once again, I don't own Magic Kaito. Gosho does.
A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update. My bad…
The Touch of FateBy Dreaming Fantasy (edited by Leftover Shrimp)
Chapter 4
Perhaps she had gone a bit overboard.
Her plan had gone smoothly, but the effects had not been satisfying. A sigh escaped her lips. Who was she kidding? Her plan had completely gone awry.
Instead of getting rid of a rival, her plan had caused heartbreak for all three of them. She still couldn't erase the memory of Kaito's face after she had grabbed his arm: his eyes brimming with pain and ablaze with hate. Hate for her. For what she had done. Maybe she had been wrong in trying to separate Kaito and Aoko. Maybe it was fate's plan that those two would end up together.
But what about her? Her heart cried out that question in silent anguish. Where did she fit in among all these things? Surely she had a purpose too. Why did life have to be so cruel to her? Why did she have to fall in love with the one guy she couldn't have?
A single crystal tear escaped from under her lashes and slid down her cheek. She had done everything she could, tried every route, pulled every trick she had—and failed. There was nothing more that she could do. Even her magic couldn't change the fates…
Perhaps she should just give up. She could never win Kaito's heart, and she had to accept that fact. It was already too full of Aoko, and there was no room for her. She had tried everything, and all she had ended up doing was hurting the one person she loved. Aoko could have Kaito. As long as he was happy, she didn't care about anything else. She would go find Aoko and give the last sacrifice she could give so that he could be happy…
****
Akako watched Aoko walk to her stiffly, as if she was trying to hold herself together with sheer willpower. As Aoko sat down next to her, Akako let out a breath of relief; she hadn't been sure the other girl would come. She took a closer look at Aoko and noticed faint, new lines on her face, took in the dark circles under her eyes. The poor girl looked as if she was walking in a dream—or a nightmare. The true identity of Kaito Kid had clearly been a great blow to her.
Akako didn't know what to say. She riffled through her mind for something, anything, but now that Aoko was here, all of her planning seemed so superficial. How could she bring up that painful topic?
"I suppose you wanted to talk to me about Kaito." Aoko's statement—along with the deadness of her voice—startled Akako.
"Well yes, I just wanted to help you clear up some of the misunderstandings. That's all." Akako smiled wryly to herself. She had no illusions about helping Aoko out—it was all for Kaito…
"Misunderstandings? No, I understand perfectly." Aoko's voice was cold, but Akako thought she caught a faint tremor of uncertainty beneath that icy shell.
Akako sighed inwardly. Why was she being so difficult? "But aren't you wondering why Kaito did all this, why he became Kaito Kid, why he didn't tell you?"
"I don't want to know. In fact, I don't want to see him ever again."
"You don't mean that. You still love him despite all that's happened." This time the tremor was in her own voice.
"No. I hate him. I wish I had never met him."
"You're lying. Why else would you be so affected by all this?"
"I…" Aoko turned away and looked off into the distance. "I used to love him, but…now it's over. I can't…I can't look at him the same way anymore." Then, with a vehemence that surprised even herself, she whipped her face around to glare at Akako. "He lied to me. Do you understand that? He played me for the fool. And I had bared my soul to him. I cannot face him again."
"Aoko, Kaito never meant to hurt you. Go talk to him. He'll explain everything."
"No. I don't want to see him."
Before she could stop herself, Akako was on her feet. She spun herself around to face Aoko. "Stop this. Stop acting like a little kid. If you don't go talk to him, you'll regret this for the rest of your life. He is just as miserable as you are. Do you know how much it hurts for me to see him like that? Aoko, go to Kaito. He loves you, and he has reasons for doing what he did. He never meant to hurt you." Despite her efforts, Akako's voice broke on the last words. But she didn't care anymore.
"But I…"
"Go!" Tears were pouring down Akako's face as she watched Aoko get up unsteadily and walk to the door. The girl looked back at her, still uncertain, but there was hope shining in her eyes.
"Go…" Akako whispered the word again, pain lancing through her heart. You'll never know what this cost me, Kaito… It's up to you now. I'm so sorry for all the pain I caused you.
~to be continued…
A/N: Almost done! :) Please review. Oh btw, does anyone know what season it is in the Golden Eye episode? Thanks.
