How It Goes
Chapter the third: Only the Lonely
Shinichi opened his eyes slowly. He ached all over. But something was different. He couldn't remember anything that had happened. He remembered Heiji being carried away, then it was all fuzzy. Something about Kaitou Kid?
'Ugh…what the Hell happened?' he thought dazedly. 'Why's everything so…white?'
"Shinichi?" Ran's voice asked quietly.
'Ran? What?' he thought confusedly. 'Why can't I remember? What happened?'
"Shinichi are you awake?" Ran asked again. He looked around.
"Ran?" he whispered. Her face came into his view. She looked worried.
"Thank goodness," she said quietly. He frowned slightly.
"What happened?" he asked groggily. Ran squeezed his hand gently.
"What do you remember last?" she asked.
"I remember," he thought for a moment. "Hattori – he was trying to–to protect me. Rum was th-there and he was going to kill me. But Heiji went for me – he was begging with them to leave me alone – and I let them go. I let them kill Heiji. He's dead and it's all my fault!" he sobbed. Ran pulled Shinichi into a hug and held him close. She whispered soothing words in his ear as he cried.
"No, no Shinichi, it's okay," she cooed. "Heiji's alive; he's going to be fine."
"No he's dead!" Shinichi moaned. He was getting hysterical. "They killed him because he was stupid!"
"Gee, thanks," Heiji said dryly. Shinichi froze, his face buried in Ran's shirt. He pulled away slightly and looked over, tears streaking down his cheeks. Heiji was sitting up in his bed, propped up by the pillows and watching with a raised eyebrow. Shinichi slowly released Ran and slid off the bed. He stumbled over to the next bed, fell to his knees and threw his arms around Heiji, clinging onto him like a lifeline.
Tears leaked out of his eyes as he clung to his friend. Heiji hugged him back just as tightly, reassuringly. Shinichi whimpered and wept into Heiji's white pajama shirt, never loosening his grip. His shoulders shook with sobs and Heiji tried to hold back his tears as well.
"You're so stupid!" he cried, pounding on Heiji's chest weakly.
"And you're still sick. You shouldn't be out of bed yet," Heiji said.
"Come on, Shinichi," Ran whispered, pulling him away from Heiji gently. He was reluctant to let go, but eventually Ran got him back to his bed. He fell asleep almost instantly.
"He's acting strangely," she whispered after she'd tucked him into the bed.
"It's probably just his fever," Heiji said. "And the medication."
"I guess so," she said. "Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine," he assured her. "I've had worse. Well, not really actually. But I'm still fine."
"What was Shinichi saying about when he said something about you taking his place?" Ran asked, trying not to sound too pushy.
"It was – it was nothing." Heiji said. "Really."
"It wasn't 'nothing' to Shinichi. He thought you were dead. What happened, Heiji?" Ran asked firmly. Heiji said nothing for a moment, but then spoke softly.
"They beat us, every day," he said. "And Kudou got sick. If they took him, he wouldn't live through it. I think it was obvious because Rum looked especially happy. I couldn't just let them kill him. It wouldn't be right. I mean, he's my best friend."
"So what happened?" Ran asked quietly.
"I told Rum that I would go in Shinichi's place. Which I did. If I hadn't, Shinichi would be dead right now. They thought I would die, but she came down and helped us escape even though she has no idea she did," Heiji said.
"Who is she?" Ran asked.
"Her name is Sherry, and she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time," Heiji answered, shaking his head. Ran didn't say anything more. Heiji didn't seem to want to talk about it.
'He'll talk when he's ready,' she thought to herself. After promising to return shortly, she exited the room. Heiji sank deeply into his pillows and let out a content sigh. It was good to be safe. He turned his head and stared out the window, eyelids half closed. He fell asleep.
"You found him!? He's alive!?" Heizo Hattori asked anxiously. He was speaking to Kazuha over the phone and couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Yes sir, he's safe," Kazuha answered. "He's come out of surgery and the doctor says he'll be fine."
"Surgery?" Heizo growled.
"He had numerous broken ribs piercing the skin, along with heavy internal bleeding and he had to get an operation," Kazuha explained.
"Who found him? Where was he?" Heizo asked.
"Well – um," Kazuha hesitated. "You see, the thing about that is…"
"Tell me!" he boomed. Kazuha flinched.
"Well Kaitou Kid found him dragging Shinichi through the snow and he called Inspector Nakamori and they brought them to safety. If Kid had found them any later, both of them would've died," Kazuha said.
"Kaitou Kid, that thief, saved my son's life?" Heizo repeated.
"He did, sir," Kazuha assured quietly. There was silence on the other end for a while, and then Heizo spoke.
"But he's going to be fine?" he asked.
"Yes, he's sleeping now," Kazuha said. "You should be very proud of him, Mr. Hattori. He was very brave."
"What happened?" Heizo asked.
"He risked his life to save Shinichi's," she said tearfully. "They were going to kill Shinichi, but Heiji offered to go in his place. It almost cost him his life, but he saved Shinichi's. Shinichi wouldn't be alive if Heiji hadn't done that for him."
"I see," Heizo said after taking a moment to digest the information. "I'm coming to see him."
"Should I let him know?" Kazuha asked.
"No," Heizo answered. "I'll be there as soon as I can." And he hung up. Kazuha lowered the phone slowly and hung up. She wiped away her tears roughly before straightening and going back to the hospital room. She stood in the doorway and said nothing as she watched the nurse change Heiji's IV. She hoped she was right.
But there was no way to tell whether Heiji would actually live.
"Why is the whole world out to get us?" Shinichi asked a few days later as he and Heiji sat up in bed, just thinking.
"I have no idea," Heiji replied wearily. "But it's true, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Shinichi said.
"We never can catch a break, can we? I mean, kidnapped twice, beaten, you almost went blind, one of my ribs almost punctured a lung," Heiji counted off on his fingers. "What's next?"
"What more can they do?" Shinichi asked. "Not a whole bunch."
"True," Heiji agreed. "Except maybe kill us."
"Right," Shinichi said.
"Why didn't they just do it? I mean there would be less of a chance of being caught if they just killed us. Why didn't they?" Heiji wondered aloud.
"Only they know," Shinichi said vaguely.
"I suppose," Heiji agreed.
"Do – Do you ever wish," Shinichi said hesitantly, "Do you ever wish that they would've just gotten it over with?"
"What?" Heiji asked, looking over at his friend concernedly.
"You know. Like, do you wish they would've just killed you?" Shinichi asked. "Haven't you ever just wanted to end it?"
"Are you okay, Kudou?" Heiji asked, looking at Shinichi with his undamaged eye.
"I don't now," Shinichi admitted quietly. "I really don't know." He stared straight ahead, just looking at the wall. Heiji watched him worriedly. Someone stepped in slowly, and before Heiji knew it, he was being embraced tightly. He started.
"Dad?" he questioned. Heizo said nothing. Shinichi gazed straight forward, not even acknowledging the older policeman's presence. He lowered his gaze finally, staring at his lap.
Heiji hugged his father back, looking over his shoulder at Shinichi. Shinichi didn't meet his gaze. His eyes were empty, yet full. Empty of love and full of sadness. Heizo released him and he pulled away slowly.
"You were gone for so long they called off the search," Heizo whispered. "Everyone was sure you were dead."
"I'm fine, dad," Heiji said quietly.
"I heard what you did. Kazuha told me," Heizo said. He gently touched the bandage over Heiji's eye with a frown. Heiji flinched slightly but said nothing. Heizo turned and looked at Shinichi, who avoided his gaze.
"You must be Kudou Shinichi," he said. "Heizo Hattori," he introduced himself, holding out his hand. Shinichi, not wanting to be rude, took it hesitantly.
"Nice to meet you, sir," he mumbled. He quickly released the older man's hand and tucked his own hands under the blankets. Heizo eyed him for a few moments before turning back to Heiji. Heiji smiled up at his dad weakly.
"Dad, can you get me some water?" he asked.
"Sure, I'll be right back," Heizo stood up and departed. Heiji turned to look at Shinichi.
"Your dad," Shinichi started. "Seems like a nice guy."
"You know he isn't. You were there that day," Heiji said.
"He was trying to help you with the investigation, you know that," Shinichi said. "I told you on the train, remember?"
"He knew all along. He should've told me instead of leading me along like that. He isn't as nice as he looks," Heiji said.
"Maybe he's changed. I mean, at least he visits you," Shinichi said. "I'm here dying and you don't see my parents around, do you?"
Heiji was silent. He was right. He hadn't seen Shinichi's parents, at all. Ever. Shinichi had never brought it up before, he'd had no idea.
"Everything will turn out okay, Shinichi. You'll see," Heiji assured. Shinichi didn't answer. He slid down under the blankets and closed his eyes, turning his head to the direction of the window, away from Heiji.
'It'll all be okay…won't it?' Heiji thought to himself.
'Won't it?'
Read and Review! Oh and by the way, I upsated my HP story and havent gotten any reviews yet. Be a friend?
Stromyrose and Detective Girl 2005- Thanks for reviewing
ShinichiEdogawa - I LOVE HARRY POTTER! It's my unltimate favorite thing. I have a Harry Potter story if you're interested...
Silv3r MagiciaN - I don't get it. If you were going to say something, say it. Don't leave a review saying you aren't going to say it anymore
kudo - No problem,typos happen
Silver Sky Magician - I love Kaito, too! lol
Southpaw - You want to know what happened when the Black Organization found out theywere gone? I think I can handle that...
Masked Detective - He might be
Tant - Yeah, you probabaly have heard it before
Fyliwion - Thank you
Juliechan - Aw! That's so nice! If you want info on me, everything (that I feel comfortable revealing) is in my bio
Jeva - I won't kill them, don't worry. At least, not so early in the story... ::mysterious smile::
