How It Goes
Chapter the fifth: Doing What's Best
Heiji stretched lazily on the sofa at his home, reading an old Ellery Queen novel. It was quite difficult, seeing as three fingers on his right hand were broken, as well as his left wrist. He huffed, tossing the book aside. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked over at the television, turning up the volume.
"And in other news, the Kudou home in Tokyo went up in flames today. The mysterious Kaitou Kid pulled Kudou Shinichi from the fire just before he was burned alive. Shinichi wasn't available for questioning, but no long-lasting damage was done. Police say that the fire was started in the kitchen when a tank of gasoline spilled and ignited the stove. Experts say Kudou was a victim of arson, no suspects have yet been discovered," the reporter said. They showed a brief picture of Kudou's smoking house before they switched to a story on some cow that gave birth to eight pigeons or something.
Heiji jumped off the couch. Kudou's house was set on fire while he was in it? That meant only one thing.
The men in black were coming for them.
He pulled on his jacket quickly and stopped when he opened the door. Kazuha stood in his doorway. When their eyes met, warm relief spread through her and she hugged him fiercely.
"I was so worried," she whispered. "When I heard about Shinichi's house, I thought the worst…"
"Don't worry," Heiji whispered. "I'm fine. But I'm leaving. I'm going to get Kudou so we can go into hiding, and I want you to come with me. Will you?"
"Me? Why?" Kazuha asked.
"You're important to me, Kazuha. And I wouldn't be able to take it if you were hurt," Heiji blushed a little. Kazuha bit her lip and nodded.
"Okay," she said.
"Kudou!" Heiji called upon entering the crime scene. "Kudou!"
"Heiji?" Shinichi suddenly appeared beside them. He was covered in dust and ash and his skin and clothes were almost completely black. "What are you doing here?"
"You were on the news, idiot," Heiji scowled.
"Oh," Shinichi looked a little dazed. "So I was. Why are you here?"
"We have to get out of here," Heiji said, tugging on Shinichi's arm. "Let's go. If they found where you live they can find anyone. We have to go into hiding somewhere."
"Where? They will find us, there's nowhere we can hide," Shinichi said, pulling his arm back.
"Get Ran." was all Heiji said. "We're leaving the country."
"I don't want to leave the country, Shinichi," Ran said as Shinichi threw clothes into a suitcase. He looked up, his face blank.
"You don't?" he asked. She shook her head.
"I can't leave. I'm in my last year of High school, I can't just stop going. I'll never graduate if I do," she said. Shinichi turned to his packing.
"Fine. Stay then," he said quietly.
"Kazuha isn't going either," Ran informed him. He paused for a second, before snapping his case shut and turning to her.
"Good. It'll be easier with just the two of us anyway," he said coldly.
"So you're really leaving?" she asked.
"Yes," he said softly. "And I don't know if I'm coming back."
"But…" Ran trailed off. Nothing would change his mind. There was no use trying. "Just stay safe, okay?"
"You too, Ran," he said. "Keep a low profile. Don't stand out at all and pretend you don't know me."
"But Shinichi…you're my best friend. You've been gone for so long; I don't want you to leave again. Not so soon," Ran whispered. Shinichi looked up at her sadly.
"I have to go, Ran. If I stay, I'll surely die," Shinichi said. "I'm sorry Ran. I don't want to go. I wish you'd come with me, but I understand why you want to stay with your father. I'll do my best to make it back when everything dies down a little."
"Hey Shinichi, what about Conan and Arthur? Are they okay?" Ran asked.
"They're fine. They went home. You'll probably never see them again though. They're parents moved away, and didn't tell me where they were going," Shinichi lied smoothly.
"But he didn't – didn't even get to say goodbye," Ran said, hurt.
"He wanted to, Ran. But his parents never were the nicest people, you know? I'll never see him again either, so don't worry about it. He might write to you though."
"Are you sure there's no way for you to stay? None at all?" Ran asked.
"None at all. Don't give up hope though. As soon as the heat des down, I'll be back. I promise. It'll be just like old times," Shinichi said.
"Like old times?" Ram didn't believe him.
"Just like old times. I promise."
"Don't go!" Kazuha pleaded. "Please, please don't go!"
"Kazuha, you know I have to," Heiji repeated for the fifth time that evening. "Kudou and I are leaving the country and nothing is going to stop us."
"But you can't go! You've barely gotten out of the hospital!" Kazuha said reasonably. "You had surgery; you shouldn't even be up and about yet."
"Probably not," Heiji agreed.
"Definitely not," Kazuha snapped.
"Yeah, well…," he shrugged uninterestedly and turned away from her again. He was in the process of closing his suitcase when he felt her hand on his. He looked up and met her tear filled eyes.
"You can't do this, Heiji. I won't let you," she said.
"Kazuha, do you care about me?" he asked.
"You know I do," she replied softly. He looked deep into her eyes.
"Then you will let me do this."
"But Heiji!" Kazuha was whining now. "You can't! What about me? What about what I want? This isn't fair!"
"You know, you are being awfully selfish," Heiji said, anger forming in his chest. "I've already explained all this to you, many times. I can't stay. What else can I do?"
"I'm not selfish!" Kazuha shrieked.
"You do a pretty good job acting it!" Heiji shouted.
"Shut up!" she shrieked.
Heiji didn't say anything more. He picked up his suitcase and left. Left his home. Left his family.
Left his one true love.
Far away, a house stood shakily upon the hilltops. The windowpanes creaked and the shudders crashed against the house as the wind blew. It was an old house, abandoned and dark for years.
Today, a small light shimmered in the attic window. Onlookers thought nothing of it. Children dared not enter, for stories of monsters and ghosts haunting the dark house traveled around the surrounding town. Adults were suspicious, but none ever went farther than the gate.
A pale hand gripped the armrest of an old lounge chair up in that attic. The hand was firm yet gentle, feminine but strong. The woman swilled a deep red wine in the crystal glass she held daintily in her right hand, a small smile playing on her features. The corners of her cherry red lips turned up farther as the door opened and a man stepped in.
"Is the deed done?" the woman asked. Her voice was deep and icy. The man nodded slowly.
"It 'tis done, milady. We'll hear from her no more," he replied smoothly, his voice high and smug. Her smile widened farther, the skin of her face tightening. She laughed heartily, an unearthly sound that echoed eerily through the hills. Her shrieking laugh continued, and the man as well held a smile.
It was done.
"Vodka!" a sharp voice silenced a table full of people, who were all laughing heartily before. A man with long blonde hair looked up to the head of the table. Martini smiled at him pleasantly, her eyes glinting in the soft candlelight.
"Yes milady?" he asked easily.
"Did you get rid of her?" Martini asked coldly.
"I did. No one suspects a thing," Vodka answered.
"Very good. You shall be rewarded for your deeds," Martini whispered.
"Thank you, milady," Vodka bowed his head slightly.
"The rest of you, however, will be punished," Martini went on evilly, "Each of you will learn what happens when you fail."
"We do not take orders from you!" Gin said, outraged.
"What happened to Vermouth?" Rum asked.
"And what of Vodka?" Gin wanted to know.
"Vodka has made up for his mistake," Martini whispered. "And as for Vermouth, she will not trouble you anymore. You are now under new rule. Your first assignment – kill Kudou Shinichi."
If anyone was confised about the man and the woman in the house on the hill, good.
Juliechan - Yes, by 'those stupid books' I did mean those books. (Not that I think they're stupid!)
ShinichiEdogawa - This chapter doesn't have much action, but next chapter will
Tant - Yes. Yes they do.
kudo - Maybe they will, maybe they won't
Fyliwion - I would never hurt the books!
Stormyrose - Maybe...
Amanda - Maybe he did. I don't remember
Silv3r MagiciaN - Thanks.
Silver Sky Magician - No actually, I was conveniently on a site that was selling gladware (don't know why, don't ask) and couldn't help myself
Jolanda-san - No, I believe you. I've done it before! And Kid will be a very important character in the future
DcLoVer0x - Next chapter is here!
Thanks for reviewing!
