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Chapter Twelve
Moon Kitty 2005
July 15th, 2006
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Shinichi felt his heart stop for a moment, his eyes widening as he stared at the spirit in front of him. "W-what?"
She seemed to gain confidence and she raised her head to stare into his eyes, hers sparkling. "I love you, Shinichi. And the only reason I'm telling you this is because... well, I lied. I'm leaving tonight. I just didn't want to create a scene. But... yes, I love you."
His mouth hung open, then he ran forward, clasping her shoulders in her hands. "You can't leave! Not tonight! It's too soon!"
Ran stared at him, a sad expression in her eyes. "I told you, Shinichi... I don't have a choice. Why don't you want me to leave?"
He pulled her close into a hug, whispering, "Because... you're extremely dense, you know that? I love you, Ran. I love you so much."
Tears fell from her eyes as she hugged him back. "I don't want to leave you."
"Then don't."
She gave a little hiccup. "I'm sorry, Shinichi. I can't. I have to go..."
He pulled her closer. "I know... but that doesn't mean I can't hold you until you have to." Memories flashed through his head, and he swore he could've felt tears prickling the corners of his eyes.
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Shinichi froze, the book falling from his hands as a soft tinkling sound filled the room. He turned slightly on his chair, eyes wide as he stared into a pair of sparking indigo eyes.
"Boo."
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"Your mother's and father's spirit... they left. Why didn't you?" he inquired.
She looked down at the floor before muttering, "Because I haven't found my other half."
"Wha-?" But when he turned, she was gone.
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"Shinichi!" she yelled angrily, clenching her fists, and she could see him bite his lip nervously from across the dark room. "How could you? I'm not an exhibit in a display! How many people, exactly?"
"Only two!" he hastened to reassure her. "And they are some of my best friends in the world! Besides, don't you like having people to talk to?"
She stared at him and smiled softly. "Yes. I like having people to talk to."
He smiled back affectionately.
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He ran forward and enveloped her in a hug, causing both of them to blush with the boldness of his actions. "I missed you."
She bit her lip and stared down at her book, her eyes sad. "I missed you, too, Shinichi. It was really boring."
He looked at her for a second. "Anything wrong?"
"Not really. Just reading over my old diary entries. I'm just thinking of what it was like when I was back in high school. What would've happened if I hadn't forgotten my karate things... of Sonoko... but I was just thinking... if I had remembered my karate gear that morning, I would've never met you." She looked up at him then, blushing.
He smiled sadly. "I would've rather you not met me than had to have gone through all that pain."
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He pulled her further into his chest and felt a tear slip down his cheek. "What am I supposed to do, Ran?" He stumbled forward as he leaned against her, his eyes widening as he turned, able to look completely through her. "Ran!"
She smiled sadly. "It's my time to go, Shinichi. I found my strength in you. You should be happy."
He stepped forward and looked down at her, surprised to find that he was crying. "Promise me that you'll watch over me. Promise me that you'll wait for me."
She nodded quickly, tears filling her own eyes. "I promise, Shinichi. All of the above. I love you."
He leaned down, placing a kiss on the image of her lips, his eyes closed. He felt a faint brushing against his own lips, and when he opened his eyes, she was gone.
Ran... I love you, too.
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Authoress Notes
Well, that's the end of the actual story, but the epilogue is still to come! It's been fun writing this, and I hope it didn't seem too bad. Ja!
