Disclaimer: They're not mine, although if I can get Heiji…..xD;;;

Summary: Three drabbles for three quests.

Quest for Love

A DC fanfic by Hibbah

Quest for Love

I called Ran yesterday. She was crying again. It seems all I am able to do is make her cry. No matter what I do, it's almost always the wrong thing. It's like I've been cursed, so that nothing I do will ever be right. Especially with Ran. I hurt her, I know I do. But I honestly don't know what to do about it.

So I did the only thing I could do. I took the antidote to turn back to being Kudo Shinichi, high school detective extraordinaire. I once more took the pill that makes my body burn, makes me feel like I am dying, makes me wish for death sometimes. All to make her happy. I can't stand to see her like that, to see that pain in her eyes sometimes when she thinks no one is looking. It tears me up inside, seeing her trying to fight the tears that threaten to spill out of her beautiful eyes. So I take the antidote willingly; the antidote to my curse, and the antidote to Ran's pain.

I know I only have 24 hours; one single day. It is never enough, but all I have to offer. And if it brings her at least some peace and happiness, it will be more than worth it. I've already called her, so she knows I'm coming. She said she'd leave the choice of place up to me. I'm going to take her to Tropical Land. She loves that place. Obviously, it doesn't hold many…pleasant memories for me anymore. That's where I lost my identity after all; that's where I lost my damn life. If she knew the truth, it wouldn't hold good memories for her either. The cause of her hurt and fear started there after all.

I wonder what I can do today to make her smile, to reassure her. Just taking her out is not enough, because I have done that before. That fear for me leaves her eyes when I am with her, returning the minute I am not. I need to do something to banish that demon called fear, something to make sure this evil demon never possesses her again. But I know simple words won't do it. Simple words are not enough…

Yes; simple words are not enough. But there are 3 words that will do the job. Three words, which, if I use them, let them pass my lips, she will not worry again. She'll know I am always there for her, will know that I won't ever desert her, that no matter how long I stay away, I will always come back to her. Just three simple words… only they're not. They're not simple at all. They carry so many hidden meanings, those words. They may be small, and might look insignificant, but they are not. Those words speak of commitment. They say, I will be with you, always. For now and forever, till the end of time.

They say, I care for you so much it hurts to see you in pain. I always want to see a smile on your face, so that your eyes shine and glow with happiness.

They say, I want to give you the world with all its treasures, but even that would not be enough. The only prize I want in return is for you to smile at me.

They say, I would give my life to you, protect you with my body, with my heart and with my soul, protect you from any harm that might come to you, be it a dog that sinks its teeth into your pale skin or a murderer who tries to rob you of your life.

They say, I belong to you, and you own me in every way possible, body and soul. Whatever you ask of me, I will do. If you ask me to cut off my arm, I will do so without a second thought. You are my mistress, and I your humble servant.

If I say those words, nothing will come between us anymore. But I am afraid…I'm more afraid than I have ever been in my life. I can usually hide my fear, forget about it, by getting focused on one thing. The Organization that turned me into what I am now doesn't scare me; it makes me mad. But the thought of saying those three words do. If I say that, it means there is no turning back. It means we are connected together for eternity. That doesn't frighten me as much as it pleases me. But I am afraid of ending up hurting her even more.

I would never admit this to anyone, but as the days go by, my hope in finding the cure to the disease manifested in my body diminishes. Sometimes, I feel I will never return to normal, but will have to spend the rest of my life as a kid, doing it all over again. I know that is the despair speaking, but that doesn't seem to make a difference. I still feel it, every time I lower my defenses. So if I promise her to always be there, I will have to live up to that. But what if I can't…? I don't even want to think about what would happen. I don't know if I am willing to take that chance.

Yes, I am afraid. But somewhere, deep down, at the very bottom of my heart, I want to say it, want to shout it to the world. She once told me that people who were destined to be together are connected by a red thread. Sometimes, I think I can see it. And that fills my heart until it is ready to burst. In those precious few moments, I want nothing more than to rush to her and spill out everything.

I wish Fate had been kinder to us. It ripped us away from each other without mercy, only granting us the bleak substitute of phone calls, and the rare moments in which I am allowed to be myself. But even then, Fate always seems to have some other trick up her sleeve, dragging us apart every time we get so close…so close to those three words. It's like Fate is telling us it's not meant to be. Only, I think it is.

She looks radiant today, like she always does. Hair loose and flowing about her shoulders, her hands fruitlessly trying to keep the wind from blowing it around. She's wearing a yellow shirt, as bright as her smile, and shorts to match. Her eyes…they are the exact colour of the skies on this summer afternoon. Gods, but she has beautiful eyes.

She reaches out to take my hand, smiling brightly up at me, and at that moment, I feel completely at peace. I know I want to feel like that for the rest of my life. I don't ever want to lose this feeling. And I know what I must do.

We were walking towards the more crowded part of Tokyo, planning to take a cab to drive to Tropical Land. When I exert a small amount of pressure on her hand, she stops walking and just turns to look at me. I can feel a lump forming in my throat. This is not going to be easy.

"Ran…I…"

Her eyes smile up at me, granting me a tender, trusting look. "Nani?"

And suddenly it isn't so hard anymore. My heart gives the orders to my head, and my lips draw apart to carry them out. "I love you."

--Owari--