Lost boy
Published: 28.07.2021
Wordcount: 6726
Not betaed
Chapter 2: Neverland
He sprinkled me in pixie dust and told me to believe
Believe in him and believe in me
Together we will fly away in a cloud of green
To your beautiful destiny
Ruth B. Lost boy
"Are you sure this is what you want to do, Shinichi?"
They now stood in front of each other with thei feet firmly on the floor. Kaito was holding one of his hands and his other foot was on the window frame, as though he itched to leave.
Shinichi could not find himself to change his mind, now that he had already said yes. His heart fluttered in his chest still. A part of him urged to leave that instance, regardless of the fact he didn't know where the was even going. All he knew was the reassurance that he wouldn't be lonely anymore, that his presence would be wanted. He could go on an adventure just like his parents, except that he was invited this time.
He nodded, "yes I'm sure."
Kaito grinned at him, and started to pull him towards the window. When Shinichi resisted, he cocked his head in confusion. "What are you waiting for? It's a long way to Neverland. We should go."
He couldn't help but flush slightly as he wave a hand towars his clothes. "Shouldn't I pack? I'm only wearing pyjamas."
Understanding dawning on him, mirth glittered in the boy's face. "We'll get you new clothes. Better clothes. Leave everything behind and come away with me. I highly doubt you want to be swinging in trees wearing a suit."
Shinichi couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah, you are absolutely right."
This time, when Kaito pulled him to the window, he didn't resist. Soon he was perched at the window, watching the other boy flying in front of him. He couldn't help gawking at the sight. It was still unreal, part of him thought it was just a dream. Surely it had to be a dream? But if it was, he wasn't ready to wake just yet.
Kaito held out his hand to him anew. This time his smile was soft, "remember, Shinichi. Happy thoughts."
Shinichi reached out for his hand, then hesitated. He looked back to his childhood room. The one he had always lived in. Leaving it felt wrong somehow. He cherished every book, every wooden plank he had stubbed his toe over.
"What about my books?" he looked back at Kaito. Part of him looking for a reason not to do this. "Can't I take any of them with me?"
Kaito floated towards him, a smile hidden in his eyes. "You already are," fingers cradled Shinichi's face, sparks of electricity followed the touch. "Don't tell me you don't remember every single line of your favourite books."
He flushed deeply, feeling nearly hypnotized by those violet orbs staring at him as though he considered him important. His breath hitched in his throat, he had always wanted his parents to gaze at him with the same look. To get it for a mere stranger? He didn't want this feeling to go away.
"Okay," he whispered in the air between them. Making a decision, he stepped off the window frame. For a second, he thought he would fall straight down, that the previous flying had just been a fluke. And that he would wake up any minute now.
He didn't. He floated, and as Kaito let go of him and pushed a little, he found himself floating away. He flipped his body so he could stare at the skies above, and at the twinkling of the stars and the large full moon. He felt as though they were beckoning him. A cold breeze tucked itself under his shirt, and he shivered. A moment later he felt a disturbance in the airflow, and he could see Kaito following him with dark, watchful eyes and a smile tucked in the corner of his lips.
"It has occurred to me, that I don't actually know how to fly. I seem to have the floating down, but how do I get the friction to move?" he reached his arms over his head and attempted a swim stroke. It made him float a few centimetres, but other than that he stood still. Frustrated, he looked back at the other boy.
Kaito's hand brushed against his thigh as he pushed Shinichi forwards. "You move with your feelings. Happy thoughts to get you floating; but the rest you have to figure out on your own. You will have plenty of time to learn in Neverland. But for now I think we should get going before anyone from the street or the house notice us."
Shinichi flushed a little. He hadn't thought about that. He had been too engulfed in the exhilaration of flying, and the impossibility of it all. Part of him thought he was still dreaming. "You are right, my bad. Show me the way."
Kaito floating in front of him and nodded with an excited grin. "I'm going to have to propel you forward. Hold my foot," he stuck his foot into Shinichi's face, and he barely managed to dodge before it impacted.
Scowling, he pushed the stinky foot away from his face. "Can't we just hold hands?"
Kaito tilted his head a little, mischief glinted in his eyes. "You are no fun. But alright, suit yourself."
He grabbed the offered hand, and suddenly they propelled forward. He learned pretty quickly to close his mouth after the second bug he swallowed. Adrenaline pumped through him at the thrill of moving so fast. Underneath him his childhood home and street disappeared rapidly. And he could see the landscape of the city underneath his feet. He had always thought Tokyo larger than life, but seeing it from a bird's point of view, it seemed so small.
"Close your eyes when we hit the clouds, or you'll get the water in your eyes," Kaito hollered above him.
Looking up, Shinichi saw the grey clouds – grey because of the dark evening sky, coming up quickly, and he had barely the time to close his eyelids before it was upon them. Immediately water droplets clung to him, and he felt his pjs already drenched. Maybe he should have brought spare clothing after all, he thought silently.
As quickly as they had hit the clouds they were through. Their speed slowed down, and he felt them spinning around. Opening his eyes, he saw he was now standing eye to eye with Kaito. His eyes glittered with glee and something else he couldn't place.
Looking around, he noticed they were floating right underneath an impossibly large moon, and the stars twinkled brightly. He had never seen the night sky so close up before – and he doubted any other human but Kaito had ever done so before either. He let out a startled gasp.
"It's beautiful."
Kaito didn't reply, and Shinichi looked back at him to find the other boy watching him. The soft light of the moon made his skin shimmer like pearls, yet cast his facial features into shadows. For a moment Shinichi was tempted to ask if he was the boy from his dreams. But that was a silly thought, dreams were only dreams. Yet he couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen Kaito before, long ago.
Before he could finish the though, Kaito tilted his head upwards to bathe his face in the moonlight, staring up at the skies. "Hang on, the next bit is going to be a little rough."
Shinichi nodded and wrapped his arm around his waist. The moment Kaito was happy with his grip on him, they were moving again. Faster than before. Dizzyingly so. Looking underneath him, he could see the blue planet disappear, followed by the moon. They were on their way to the red planet mars, when Shinichi felt too dizzy to keep looking. Closing his eyes he pressed his face into Kaito's chest.
He felt the other boy move a little, but his arms tightened around Shinichi. He wanted to ask him how far they were travelling – then, how they could even breathe out here in space. But he couldn't open his mouth due to the fast speed. His stomach dropped a little, realizing it was now too late to change his mind. He was going far from home, further than anyone would ever go. Instead of feeling concerned, he felt the thoughts of his parents being pushed further and further from his mind, until the only thing he could feel was a boundless excitement.
He didn't know how long they travelled, all he could focus on was the warmth of the other boy. He smelled like pinecones and of the wild forest. Of days laying in the sun, and the salt from the sea. Underneath the warmth and the land, was something else, something muskier. He couldn't find himself minding, even as he felt a vague distaste that Kaito really needed a proper shower.
He didn't know when he dozed off, but suddenly he was startled awake by gentle fingers in his hair and a whisper in his ear.
"Wake up, Shinichi. We are here."
His eyes fluttered open. The first thing he saw was the warmth of Kaito's eyes. He looked away with a flush, to look down. Only for his mouth to open in shock.
They were flying over an ocean. Each wave glittering from the sun. Something moved underneath the water, following their trek, and a moment later he saw the hint of a tail. Before a girl's head popped out of the water. She had long brown hair, and she waved at them. He couldn't quite see her facial feature this far up.
Hesitantly, he waved back. Before he looked back at Kaito with surprise. "Was – was that a mermaid?"
He received a smirk in return, "it sure was. Welcome the Neverland. Look," he pointed in front of him, and Shinichi followed the gesture. To see a large island rising out from the endless ocean.
The island had lush forest, mountains covered in snow and beaches. Waterfalls fell from a cliff and where it hit the ocean a rainbow blossomed. Something jumped in his chest with recognition, and he looked up towards the sky, already knowing what he would see. A beautiful star sky that twinkled in the orange and blue cast atmosphere. This despite the sun shining brightly.
"I have been here before," he spoke before he could finish the thought. "This is the island in my dreams. How can it be here?"
"Neverland is where all children visit when they dream," Kaito hummed by his ear, eyes glittering from both the light casted off the ocean and the twinkling of the star as a smile twitched in the corner of his mouth.
A strong hum of air ruffled through them, making them spin for a moment before the other boy got them under control. A small delighted chuckle escaped Shinichi's lips. The air made his pyjamas blow up, and it ruffled through the locks of their hair as though it was greeting them.
Shinichi looked up at Kaito with a puzzled expression, however the other boy didn't meet his gaze as his eyes were locked on the island slowing creeping closer. "Am I dreaming right now?"
A smile stretch across his lips this time, as his eyes flickered back to Shinichi. "That's up to you to decide."
He frowned at the cryptical words, but decided to not pursue it as they were now incoming the island. The crystal blue ocean gave away to a sandy beach. After about twenty meters, the beach melded into grass followed by vines and palm trees.
Kaito slowly lowered him to the beach, the warm sand tickling his feet as he landed. Only then did he realize he must have left his slippers behind, and regretted at least not bringing some kind of boots. Looking around the beach, he spotted a few shells in the sand. He reached down to grab one. It was as big as his fist, and a bright magenta.
"I've never seen a shell like this before," he gawped. "Not even in any of the books I've read. This whole place is impossible. I don't recall all of these details from my previous dreams. Not the warmth of the sand against my toes either."
"Dreams tend to fade once you wake. Everyone knows that," Kaito replied lightly, and Shinichi looked up to see him sitting on a small stone formation watching him with an unreadable expression.
He shook his head, "this is far too real to be a dream. I must be awake, all of this must be real. I'm certain of it. But," he looked down at the shell in his hand with a slight frown, "if you can only visit while we dream. How come you are here?"
Kaito leaned forward a little, lowering his voice. "They say boys that get lost are just transported here. The unwanted ones that fall out of their crib whilst the nuns in the orphanages aren't looking."
"I'm not unwanted though."
Kaito lifted an eyebrow. "Weren't you though?"
"I –" Shinichi hesitated. He tried to remember. He remembered the feeling of loneliness and of being abandoned. "I don't' know. Maybe you are right."
Kaito parted his lips to reply, however he never voiced whatever was on his mind, as some movement by the edge of the forest followed by squealing interrupted them. Immediately he stood from where he had been sitting and stood in front of Shinichi protectively. One arm shielding him from whatever was coming at them. Shinichi tensed, wishing he had brought his wooden sword, if only for the feeling of false safety. It occurred to him that he never asked Kaito if Neverland was dangerous before he agreed to come.
From out of the bushes tumbled two children, and Kaito immediately relaxed as he dropped his arm. The two boys looked to be about seven years in age. The first towered half a head above the other boy, well-build and a little round. He had short hair with a bald spot. The second, shorter boy was slender with hair that almost fell into his eyes. They both looked a little out of breath and red faced. They both wore tattered clothing that looked to have been patched several times.
"Kaito! You're back!" they hollered in excitement.
"Genta! Mitsuhiko!" Kaito beamed back at them as they bounced closer. "Please, meet Shinichi. He just arrived. Shinichi, this is Genta and Mitsuhiko." He pointed their names out.
Feeling a little stiff and awkward, he fell back to the courtesy of his upbringing as he held out his hand towards the two younger boys. "It's nice to meet you."
They stopped their advancement, mouth opening slightly in surprise. They stared from Shinichi, to each other, to Kaito. Before a grin spread across their faces as they tackled him to the ground with mirthful laughter.
A drizzle of sand splashed into their faces as they landed, and all air in his lunges were forcefully exhaled. Despite his discomfort, he could not help the smile that twitched on his lips. He had always been told to keep to decorum and be polite, however these children had never had such upbringing as they laughed without restraint. A warmth feeling spread across his insides as he realized he liked this a lot better.
"Alright, let him breathe you two," Kaito chided as he watched them, the large grin on his face clearly showing that he wasn't scolding them.
Genta and Mitsuhiko rolled off him, even as they grabbed each of his arms to attempt to help him back on his feet. He accepted the help, and he shoved a hand through his hair in an effort to get the sand out of it. He had the distinct feeling he was failing his mission.
The shorter boy's face turned serious as he peered back at Kaito, and his back straightened a little. The older boy must have noticed the changes in his demeanour as his focused snapped back to him.
"What's wrong Mitsuhiko? Did something happen while I was gone?"
"Heiji needs your help. He got himself into a bit of trouble," the short boy hesitated for a second, looking at Genta, before his attention went back to him.
Kaito frowned slightly. "What kind of trouble? Is it –"
"The Indians as usual. He managed to tick of the princess and she dared him to… well."
Shinichi looked back and forward between them, his mouth slightly agape to try to keep up with the information. Apparently there where Indians on this island? And a princess? He couldn't remember anything like that from his previous dreams visiting Neverland. Perhaps Kaito was right, that his memories of this island faded after waking up. At the mention of unicorns, his attention went back to the conversation.
"There are unicorns here?"
The three boys looked at him and sniggered a little. Before Kaito took a step towards him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Why don't you wait here for me. I'll deal with the situation and come back when I can."
They had already turned towards the forest before Shinichi could protest.
"Wait," he hesitated. Suddenly feeling lost. "Is there anything dangerous around here? Am I safe to be left alone?"
"We have giant crocodiles," Genta cheered.
"And scary mermaids," Mitsuhiko chimed in.
"And Indians with bows and poison," Genta continued.
"And pirates, Mitsuhiko crooned.
"It's perfectly safe," Kaito scowled at the two boys, and they immediately closed their mouth with shared chagrined expressions. He looked back at Shinichi with a softer look. "It wouldn't be an adventure if it was all completely safe now would it?"
He parted his lips to disagree, thought about it for a second, before nodding. "Yeah, you are right about that. It's just my first day –"
"And you are bound to be a little nervous. Its fine, it happens to everyone," Kaito smiled softly at him. "I'll only be a second, and then I'll show you around alright?"
He felt foolish for being so clingy, and he nodded again in agreement, not trusting his voice to not betray his nervousness at being alone in an unfamiliar terrain – even if he had been here before in his dreams. In his sleep, this place hadn't felt dangerous. He was sure he was just exaggerating things.
As the two younger children disappeared into the bush, Kaito stopped to look back at him. He dug something from his pocket and threw it at him. "Remember Shinichi, if something happens. Happy thoughts!" With a sly smile and a wink, he disappeared into the forest, leaving him all alone.
Shinichi barely managed to grab the item being thrown at him. Looking down at it, he realized it was the vial with pixy dust. He pressed it against his chest and took a deep breath. He felt a little calmer, knowing he had a way out if anything happened. He really appreciated the gesture and the fact the other boy was taking his anxiety serious.
Turning away from the forest, he looked across the sun-kissed ocean that sparkled like diamonds. He could not see anything else over the horizon – not that he had spotted anything while he had been flying. Part of him thought he should feel isolated, scared, knowing he had no way of leaving. Told him to be afraid of the pirates and the Indians and the mermaids. This part of him wanted to go home to… return to…
He frowned. He was sure there was something there on the tip of his tongue he simply couldn't recall. After a second of thinking, he started musing. Why would he even want to leave? Why would he want to return to the sad feeling of loneliness that gnawed in his stomach? Neverland was far better than that place, he was sure of it.
With a content smile on his lips, he pocketed the vial. Tilting his head towards the sun as he closed his eyes. Enjoying the warmth against his cheeks, he felt a soft tingling through his body. One that spoke of home – he was finally home. A place where he could belong. He burrowed his toes into the sand, and felt like he was setting roots. He could choose to stay here – he was certain Kaito would take him back if he were so inclined. He didn't want to leave though, not when he just got here. Not when he was finally living his own adventure, just like Alice tumbling through wonderland.
Alice hadn't been afraid of pirates, and he definitely wouldn't either!
Rustling from the forest, brought his attention away from the ocean. He felt a rush of anticipation. Kaito was back and he was going to show him the rest of the island. His lips were already parted to greet him, when the bushes parted to reveal someone else.
It was a teen, about the same age as Shinichi. With dark skin and darker hair. His face was flushed, and his breath uneven. It took him a second to realize the other boy was terrified. He spotted Shinichi standing alone on the beach, and part of his body flinched as though he was attempting to walk backwards and forwards at the same time.
There was a moment of indecision before he swore under his breath as he took several steps towards Shinichi. "Do you have a boat? Rowboat? Some kind of raft? Anything?" he asked desperately.
Shinichi backed away from him, dropping the shell he was holding. He frowned back. "No I don't. I flew here."
"Flew?" he gaped for a moment. He stopped to eye Shinichi from top to toe. "Did you come here with Kaito?" A roar echoing from the forest had them both flinching, and the confusion turned back into horror. "Never mind that. We need to hurry before it catches up to us."
Shinichi felt his stomach drop at the panic in his voice. "What's out there?" he stage-whispered.
"A unicorn," the boy replied back, he hurried to hide behind Shinichi as the sound of rustling of the forest came louder. "I think our best chances is jumping in the sea and swim. Getting drowned by mermaids might be preferable to being trampled."
"I don't really want to choose my means of dying," Shinichi stuttered as he paled. He took a step back and almost stumbled over the other boy. "I thought unicorns were kind."
"Well, yes. Usually," there was a hand on his hip that was urging in backwards. "Mostly at least. Unless you piss one off."
"What did you do?" he asked lamely.
"Nothing," came the high-pitched reply, a clear indication of him lying.
"I don't intend to die on my first day," Shinichi growled in reply. "At least tell me how to stop it. I choose to not get drowned nor get trampled."
"How should I know?" the teen whined.
He resisted the grip trying to pull him backwards, and the hand disappeared from his hip followed by the sound of splashing. What a coward¸ Shinichi thought darkly. He didn't take his gaze away from the forest. He could see palm trees being pushed a part as something large moved closer and closer. He stood his guard with his chin up. If Alice could face the Queen of Heart, he could face a unicorn. He knew how to deal with horses, as he had taken many a lesson as a child. It was only proper that a gentleman could ride.
Soon he could see something sparkling in the forest, before it gave away to a large beast – it was the only thing he could describe it as. It was twice the size of a normal horse, with a large horn protruding from its forehead. The outline of the unicorn shimmered with a mystical glow that reminded him of the twinkling of the pixie dust. It made it difficult to see where the unicorn's body ended and where the forest started.
The unicorn stopped at the edge of the forest, it seemed to be staring him down for a silent second. Before propelling forwards with an impossible speed. Shinichi's stomach dropped at the realization he wouldn't have any time to dodge it – it was too big. His arms shot up in a cross automatically to uselessly defend himself. He should have listen to the teen, taken the chance with the mermaids instead.
Just as the beast reached him, he chucked in a last breath waiting for the impact. Instead it exploded into bright light that showered him in glitter. He stood there for a second with wide unseeing eyes, adrenaline pumping in his throat. What had just happened?
Pitches of laughter shook him out of his stupor, and his eyes slowly adjusted back. He could now see a group of people looking at him from the edge of the forest. He saw a young teenage woman wearing fur and a feather in her hair. It took him a second to realize they weren't laughing at him, but instead pointing behind him.
"Look at the coward running. I knew you were a chicken Heiji!" the girl hollered. The others cheered in agreement.
Shinichi turned around to see Heiji about twenty feet from the shore. He had ceased swimming away, and although he was too far away to properly see, he could tell he was flustered.
"You'd be running if that came charging at you too, Kazuha! This proves nothing!"
"I'm an Indian, I'd never run from anything. Especially not hide behind another's back!"
They continued to yell insults at each other, however Shinichi's attention was drawn to something shimmering in front of him. It was a little light – perhaps a lamp, with a yellow glow. Curiously, he held his hand out. Something edged of familiarity in the fringes of his mind. The little light brushed against his fingers. It didn't feel warmth or cold, instead if tickled.
Peering closer, he could see a teenage girl, merely six inches tall. She had brown, messy hair and wore a green dress made off a flower petal. A set of wings fluttered behind her back.
His open mouth blossomed into an awestruck smile. "You're a fairy," he realized.
"Aoko is a pixie actually," a familiar voice hummed by his ear.
Startled, Shinichi looked up at Kaito's soft expression. As their gaze met, a smile curled on his lips. The pixie – Aoko flew from his hand to land on the newcomer's shoulder. The sound of bells filled his ears.
Kaito's attention turned to the little pixie on his shoulder. "Yes, he did have it coming. I'm not mad you are helping princess Kazuha."
The sound of bells chimed once more, and only then did he realized it was actually Aoko talking to him. He wondered what she was saying, even as he found the interaction adorable.
"I missed you too, Aoko. But I'm back now, and I bring new friends. This is Shinichi," Kaito reached out to grab Shinichi by the shoulder as he beamed at him. "This is Aoko, my best friend in the whole wide world."
Shinichi barely managed to keep down the flush that threatened to creep up from his collar bone, even as he gave a slight awkward bow towards the pixie. "It's a pleasure to meet you Aoko. I hope we can be friends as well."
Although he could not quite see her facial features due to the light surrounding her, he had the distinctive feeling she was eyeing him. After a moment she turned towards Kaito. She said something, and the other boy's smile only widened.
"What did she say?"
"She approves of you," the hand on his shoulder brushed against the nape of his neck which sent a sparkle of pleasure down his spine. "She was wondering if you liked her prank."
"Her prank?" he echoed in confusion.
"The unicorn was made of pixie dust," Kaito grinned. "To scare the cocky Heiji."
Shinichi looked at the pixie, eyebrow raising in surprise. "That was you?"
He got the distinct feeling she was nodding excitingly at him.
He chuckled softly. "It scared the hell out of me. I'm sure Heiji was almost peeing his pants at the end there. Good job."
"Hey," came a grumpy protest behind him, and as Shinichi turned around he saw Heiji wandering up from the waves. He had some seaweed stuck to his hair. "I'll have you know I was not at all close to peeing my pants. I knew it was just Aoko. I was just playing alone so I wouldn't hurt her feelings."
"Of course you were," Kaito grinned mischievously. "Let's get you dried up. The Indians have invited us to a feast later."
That seemed to brighten Heiji up immediately, as his frown turned upside down.
…
The crackling of the fire was drowned out by drums and chanting mixed with laughter. The sun had set an hour earlier and the temperature cooled slightly, but enough to be comfortable without a jacket. A large moon had replaced the sun in the sky – one which was far luminous than the one he had seen from his bedroom window. He had been told that in another hour, the second moon would rise. A smaller blue one. He was looking forward to it.
After the events on the beach, they had been taken to the Indian reserve. They had huts in the trees with roped bridges connecting them. Between three of the largest trees a platform had been built, which was the main square they were currently on. Some of the huts were made of leather and pointed to resemble tents which he remembered from pictures in his history books. Though most of them were carved into the trees. It seemed the most practical.
He had been introduced to the rest of Kaito's gang. They called themselves the Lost Boys. They were the unwanted children who had been transported to Neverland. Children of any age, as young as five and as old as Shinichi. Though he hadn't seen a grown up amongst the group just yet. Neither was there any girls, which probably explained the name.
The Indians however, was a mixture of different genders and different ages. The leader of the group was an old woman with grey hair and wrinkles. Her skin looked sun-kissed like fine aged-leather. Most of them wore either leather clothes or clothes made of large leaves from palm trees. Red and black paint covered their face and bodies, and feathers were woven into their hair and clothing.
The sound of children laughter dragged his gaze back to the fire, where people were dancing. They looked animal-like in their disjointed movements. It was a far cry from the ballrooms Shinichi had attended, and nothing like the structure of Waltz and other ballroom dances he had been taught. He liked this better, it felt less constricting and more open. They looked like they danced with their hearts and body.
The Lost boys danced with the Indians interchangeably in a mash of sweaty but joyful bodies. Kaito had attempted to drag Shinichi into the dance earlier, however he had vehemently declined the attempt. More comfortable to watch from the side-line for now. After a small protest, he had let him be. For now, Shinichi thought, he didn't think Kaito would give up so easily.
He watched as Kazuha and Heiji danced around each other without touching. They exchanged glances from the corner of their eyes and affection was hidden in the corners of their smiles. Shinichi had originally thought they despised each other, but now away from the glare of the sun, they were amicable and soft. To him, it almost looked like an elaborate mating-ritual they were performing. Like how boys would pull the ponytails of the girls they liked.
What drew Shinichi's eyes the most, was something odd that had suddenly arrived once they had eaten and the sun had set. It was outline of small figures, about the size of Genta and Mitsuhiko, that danced around the fire with the rest. They had the same glittering outland that the unicorn had had, except instead of light it was made of shadows and darkness. Black sparkles of glitter. He couldn't see any facial features, just the shifting of shadows.
At first it had frightened him, but when no one had been alarmed to their presence, he had calmed down. However he kept an eye on them in the corner of his eyes, just in case anything changed.
"You were very brave today."
He shook in surprise, his throat hitching in his throat. Dragging his gaze away from the odd figures, he blinked up just as Kaito settled next to him on the log he had been perched on for the past half an hour. The newcomer leaned back on his elbows as he tilted his head towards him.
"I thought I was going to die," he replied truthful. "I felt rooted to the floor in fear. I should have run, the most logical solution would have been to flee like Heiji did."
Kaito shook his head. "I disagree. I was watching, and everyone agree that you were brave to face the unicorn head on. Foolish perhaps, but brave none the less. And besides," he knocked into Shinichi with an elbow. "I wouldn't have let anything happen to you. It's your first day, don't want to scare you away. Now would I?"
He felt his cheek burn a little at the praise as he looked down. "Only because I didn't know any better. What did Heiji do anyway to deserve this treatment?"
Kaito shrugged nonchalantly, "knowing him, he definitely at it coming. They pretend they hate each other, but they share affection for each other. They used to not be as amicable though, but Heiji saved the princess from falling off a cliff once. They have been inseparable ever since."
Shinichi gazed at the dancing duo. They looked good together, he thought in the back of his mind. He looked back at Kaito.
"There is something I've been wondering about."
"Yeah?" Kaito straightened up, tilting his head further so that the light of the fire danced in his eyes. "What it is?"
"What are the dark figures?" he nodded towards the odd shadows. He watched as Genta pirouetted next to one as though they were dancing together. "No one seems… alarmed at their presence."
A soft chuckle spread across the other teen's lips. "I forgot to warn you about that. I see them so often it didn't occur to me that you would be alarmed. It's a natural part of Neverland. In fact, they are the whole point of Neverland."
"What do you mean?" he frowned in confusion, not understanding the cryptical words.
"They are the children who visits Neverland in their dreams. They are here, but also not here. You can't always see them during the day, but at night they dance with us by the fire. You have been here before, everyone has at some point in their life."
Shinichi gawped in surprise as he looked back at the figures. He supposed it all made sense now, as it hadn't occurred to him. Perhaps it worked the other way around too.
"Do the dreamers see us as shadows?"
Kaito pursed his lips in thought at the questions. "I wouldn't really know. That could certainly be a possibility. I don't think anyone has ever asked."
"Can we communicate with them?" Shinichi asked with curiosity lacing his voice.
"No," he shook his head. "I don't know how this all work, to be honest. Only that it does. Magic can't really be explained, now can it."
Shinichi answered his grin with his own. "Yeah, you are right about that. I shouldn't poke at all of this. Its just… impossible. Its going to take a while till I get used to it.
"Take as long as you want," Kaito's grin softened, and his fingers brushed against Shinichi's knuckle.
It sent another spark of electricity up his arm from the touch. He couldn't help but smile softly back in gratitude. He wondered slightly if perhaps he had met Kaito in a dream once before. Perhaps he was the boy he had been dreaming about as long as he could remember. It was a possibility.
"I have a question," Kaito startled him out of his thoughts.
"Yeah?" he straightened slightly, withdrawing his hand from the touch as he drew a leg up to his stomach.
"What did happen with the unicorn and the lion?"
Shinichi grinned at the serious expression. And parted his lips to tell him how the story continued. He knew it by heart after all. As he kept telling the story, from Kaito nudging him to, some of the lost boys and Indians shuffled closer to listen in. After a while, he could swear even the shadows of the dreamers were listening too.
...
…
"The dreaming children weren't a part of your book."
Shinichi's eyes flickered towards Akako. He had to blink the memory away for a moment as he found himself sitting in the little room crowded by stacks and stacks of books. The cup of tea had grown cold in his hand.
"No," he replied after a moment. "My publisher thought it a little too scary for a children's book. Thought it too complicated to explain, so might as well not add it. I complied."
She made a noncommittal noise in reply. "Why aren't there any girls? Surely there must be lost girls. The way you described it in your book was rubbish."
His lip curled a little. "I didn't know you were a fan of my work."
She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him. He should have felt thrilled for getting an up on her, instead he felt a gnawing feeling of regret in the pit of his stomach at displeasing her. He curled his nails into the skin of his palms in an attempt to chase the intruding feeling away.
"I don't know. I don't think I was ever curious while I was there. At the time, girls weren't really on my mind. It was more freeing having no girls there, as my only association with them was my parents attempt of setting me up."
"Maybe that's the point," she hummed thoughtfully, before chewing on her bottom lip. "But how does that explain the natives? Is this Kazuha the real princess Tigerlily?"
He nodded, lifting the cup up and took a sip.
"There was no mention of romance between the lost boys and the natives though," she continued with a frown.
"It's a children's book," he exclaimed irritated, not interested in discussing the difference between the work of fiction he had written and the real place. "They aren't interested in side-romances. Besides, that's the whole point. There couldn't be any romance between Peter Pan and Wendy, because of the nature of Neverland. It's a grown-up urge and feelings, not for children. It's a conditional trade."
"Then why write it like that?" she didn't sound reproaching, rather interested. "Why exactly did you write the book?"
"To reach as many people as I could," he spoke truthfully. "I was hoping that someone wwho read the book would knew more about the place than me, or had been there, and would reach out to me. I'm looking for answers."
"Alright," Akako nodded slightly. "Suppose you are right about that. I have a following up question though, from earlier. I thought you didn't age in Neverland, but how does that explain the native Indians?"
"I don't know if they are natives," he sighed. "In fact, I don't know anything about who they are or how they work. Logic doesn't work in Neverland, and there is something there that makes you not want to question it. It's impossible and improbable, and yet it exists."
"Sure it wasn't just a dream?" she grinned slyly at him.
"Don't you start. If you don't believe my story is real, why are you even listening to me right now?"
She rolled her eyes, "don't be so dramatic. Alright, let's move on then shall we. To the important question. Why do you want to return to Neverland?"
He met her gaze head on, clenching his jaw as he did. "Because not everything is as it seems there. There is someone I have to save."
"Who?"
"Kaito needs help."
