Lost in the Shadows

AN: The song I'm using is called, "Time Standing Still", by All American Rejects. I did switch a gender here and there and put it in past tense.

Disclaimer: Run! The clowns are going to eat me for not owning Detective Conan!

Chapter 3 – Despair

"Ohayo. My name is Chikato Atan. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Ran froze while she studied his face. The face had looked so familiar. Too familiar. Hey! That's Shinichi's face. Wait a minute, Shinichi is really Conan. Then who is this?

For some reason, Ran didn't believe for one second that Chikato Atan was his real name. She couldn't explain it, but she felt like she'd met him before. Like she knew his real name from somewhere else. She just couldn't remember for the life of her.

Shaking her head, Ran turned her attention back to what the teacher was saying.

"Chikato-san, you can sit by Mouri Ran. She'll help you will any questions you have."

"Ai, sensei." With that said, Atan walked over to the empty desk next to Ran and sat down.

Ran felt herself bristle with anger. That was Shinichi's desk and she didn't want anyone to sit in it. Even if he had been missing for most of the school year and might not ever return. It was still Shinichi's desk and some stranger was taking it over.

"Ohayo, Mouri-san," Atan said to her, bowing slightly. "Hajimemashite."

"Hajimemashite, Chikato-san. How are you?"

"I'm fine. Just getting used to this town. I moved in just last night."

"Really? Where do you live?"

Ran slowly forgot her anger at the young man as they continued to chitchat through class. She was amazed at what she learned about him, but he always seemed a little distant when talking about his home life, his family, or his past. Shrugging her shoulders and chalking it up to not having a fun childhood, Ran kept up with the conversation and soon started realizing she'd just made a new friend. True, it wasn't the best of friends relationship, but it was a start.

-

That night found Aoko sitting on her bed, tears once again forming in her eyes. She was still thinking about her best friend, Kaito. She really missed him and ever since she'd found out that he'd disappeared, she hadn't once gone back to school. Sure, Keiko would come over and try to cheer her up, but no one could seem to break her out of her shell.

The only time that she was able to do something more than sit on her bed and cry was when she went with Akako to talk with the Mouris about finding where Kaito was. Even then, she'd broken down and cried. Now, with no word from them, she felt hope fading away.

Him and her

Life is turned.

The day I felt you leave

I could barely breath

Can you hear me scream?

O-o-o thrown in all directions

You epitome of perfection.

She's lot her will.

Time is standing still.

She just sat on her bed, not caring how others saw her. She felt like she couldn't cry anymore when her thoughts returned to the heist the night that Kaito had disappeared. Something about that night seemed out of place. One, she noted absently, was that the Kaitou Kid had actually been hurt, and he'd actually tried protecting her father. For some reason, ever since she'd learned that, she couldn't find it in herself to hate the Kid like she'd done before. Now, it was more like displeasure at what he was doing.

What was Kaito doing that night? She wondered for the millionth time. Why'd he disappear? Could he not tell I need him?

She walks, him, home

Now she walks alone

The days they turn into years

The eyes they drown in tears

Can you hear me scream?

O-o-o thrown in all directions

You epitome of perfection

She's lost her will

Time is standing still.

Her mind turned back to the mornings when they'd walk together to school. Now, she was scared to head to school, afraid of losing it and breaking down once again. Even when she went out with Akako and sometimes Keiko, if they went somewhere Kaito had been with her, she could feel the tears coming on. She knew the 'brave, headstrong, arrogant, unyielding, self-reliant' Aoko was dead. She'd been dead since the day Kaito went missing. All that was left was a 'weak, tired, hurting, mostly emotional numb' Aoko that could no longer handle everyday life.

If someone had told her before Kaito had left that the disappearance of one person from her life had the power to destroy her completely, she'd have laughed at them before chasing them, threatening to hit them if they didn't quit. Now, she realized somewhat weakly, they would've been completely correct.

The pain from not eating very much was nothing compared to the pain in her heart. In all the years she'd known Kaito, she'd never have guessed that she'd fall in love with the magician. Never would've guessed he'd leave her. Never would've guessed it hurt so much.

The way we are the way we were

(It's just a shadow of what's wrong)

The time with you the time is stirred

(I love you for so long)

The hearts they turn, they turn away

(She says don't go, please don't you cry)

Love lost was found, night turns to day

O-o-o thrown in all directions

You epitome of perfection

She's lost her will

Time is standing still

O-o-o- thrown in all directions

You epitome of perfection

She's lost her will

Time is standing still

Time is standing still.

Even though it'd only been a week since Kaito'd been removed from her life, it felt like forever. She felt like she didn't want to go on. After all, she thought, who'd care if I too disappeared? Sure, Tousan might be mad for a little while, but once he calmed down, he'd go back to his work. Akako? She was always chasing Kaito. She'd be glad for the removal of competition. She has a better chance at finding him then I do. Hakuba? All he cares about is capturing Kid. Keiko? She'd survive. She does have other friends.

Her thoughts continued on this train until she stopped because her thoughts would always come back to the missing magician. Tonight, she realized, the pain seemed greater than ever before. She found she just couldn't handle it anymore.

Quietly, she got off her bed and headed downstairs to the kitchen. Passing by her dad's room, she took a quick peek in to see him sound asleep, not understanding what was going to happen very soon.

Aoko smiled as she looked at his still, quiet form. Sorry, Tousan. The pain is just too much. She closed the door and continued her trek down the stairs and into the kitchen. Once there, she found the sharpest knife and headed into the bathroom, closing the door behind. She turned on the shower to cover up any noise she might make.

Kneeling down on the tile, she took the knife in both hands and turned it toward her. Sorry, Tousan, Kaito. This is the only way I know to stop the pain. I wish I could tell you how much I love you, Kaito. Please, forgive me, she thought as she brought the knife closer.

-

Nakamori Ginzo woke up with a start. He didn't know why, but when he heard the shower running, he immediately knew something was wrong. For one thing, the only other person in the house was his only daughter, Aoko. Another, Aoko didn't take showers at 3am.

He quickly got up, putting on his bathrobe, and ran down the stairs to the bathroom.

"AOKO?" the inspector shouted, trying to be heard over the water. "AOKO, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?"

Hearing no response to his questioning, he pondered over his choices for a few seconds. One, he could leave her alone and wait for her to finish her showers. Two, he could barge in there and possibly embarrass both of them.

Aoko's been acting strange the past few days. Ever since Kaito disappeared, she's seemed like she wasn't fully there…wasn't fully there…OH NO! The inspector, realizing just what his daughter could be doing, steeled his courage and started kicking the door as hard as he could, trying to break in.

After a few seconds of furious kicking, the door gave away and he rushed in. The scene before him made his blood run cold. Before him, Aoko laid crumpled on the ground. Around her was a pool of blood several inches wide. To his scared eyes, her skin seemed a bit too pale.

As the inspector looked around for clues to what happened, his gaze fell upon a knife, still held tightly in her hand and lying by her side.

-

All over the town, people work woke up to a scream that made even the strongest men hold their wives close to them, scared for their safety.

AN: Well now, the story has gotten much more interesting. What do ya think? Review and let me know. I still am very grateful to my beta reader, Meitantei Mystery, for his help. I do know where this story is going, and it is going to be a roller coaster ride. I hope everyone will stay on too. Keep guessing who Chikato Atan is. It's interesting to read peoples' guesses. Well, thanks to everyone who reviewed for the last chapter. I hope to see a lot of reviews waiting for me for this chapter. After all, they are very fun to read and, most of the time, helpful. See you soon with the next chapter.

chibi-luna-chan

Sadie Janelle

YumeTakato

Meitantei Mystery

Silver Sky Magician

Kudo

the amazing spell checker

Fyliwion

Chinese-freak

goldfishlover73