A/N: Hello there. Here's another chapter of my Revolver story~! (Wiggles Fingers Theatrically) XD Anyways, this one is kind slow, and it actually switches from Alice's POV for a short while! (OMG! XD) And the plot thickens, a bit. XD Haha, anyways, enjoy? ^^
Disclaimer: I do not own Detective Conan or Magic Kaito in any way or form. (My sister: Or shape! 8D)
Chapter Sixteen
I hesitated before stepping into the house, face down as I anticipated the scolding I was about to get. My mouth was set into a thin line, my eyes narrowed in determination. There was no way in hell I was going to be grounded, especially since I don't think Conan or the others would be grounded. For me to be grounded, it just wouldn't be fair, really. Least I don't think so; Kaito would probably find it fair since I probably made him worry. The door shut behind me with a final click and I swallowed thickly. No going back now…
I toed off my blue and white converse – again, courtesy of Kaito; don't know what he was thinking since they clashed a lot with the orange sweater, but I couldn't complain, it looked nice – and walked in quietly, socked feet barely making a sound. Once I reached the kitchen, I peered in only to yelp, startled, as I was pulled into a crushing hug. My head pounded loudly as I lost oxygen. The person hugging me finally pulled back and I sucked in a loud, huge, breath of life. I looked up, still panting for air with my mouth open, to see Kaito looking down at me with a worried and anxious face. Oh boy…
"Alice-chan, are you alright?" He asked frantically, searching over my body with his eyes as if expecting to see a bullet wound or something. One of my brows raised and I shot him a disbelieving look. No scolding or anything? That's weird…
I grinned sheepishly and squirmed slightly in his grasp – I do not like to be man-handled, thank you very much. "Uh, I'm alright, Kaito-niichan. Nothing happened, really…," He didn't seem convinced by my quiet tone. "Nothing happened?!" He pouted, leaning in uncomfortably close to my face, looking into my eyes sharply. Ah, here comes the scolding. "Do you know how worried I was when you didn't come home by seven?! Then, I call you and you don't pick up, only to send me a half-hearted text message telling me that you're sorry?!" Well, when you put it that way…
I lowered my eyes, not brave enough to look into his anymore. "I'm sorry…," I bit my lip as a silence ensued. Finally, Kaito spoke up, breaking the stillness of the house. "It's okay, but next time, I'd like more than a text." He joked lightly, lightening the mood considerably. That was it? "Either way," He began, lowering me back to the ground. "It's late, and we both have school tomorrow; I think it's time for bed." He smiled down at me and I flashed him a returning grin before we both headed upstairs to get ready for bed. Somehow, I had evaded getting grounded. This time around.
My mind was somewhere else, though, when I was brushing my teeth. That voice…I wonder what that had been. I'd have to go see Akako about that tomorrow after school…
ooOOoo
Conan wobbled considerably, in the place he stood as we all walked home. School had gone by in a breeze, and I was happy that it was a Friday. It was about time to have some peace, especially after that run in with the creep. It seemed as if the kids hadn't even been bothered by it, but I hadn't gotten any sleep. I kept thinking about that voice and whenever I closed my eyes, I saw that poor man's dead body on top of the elevator; face white with death, twisted in fear. My eyes narrowed in worry; I hope this was only a onetime thing. With all the dead bodies I'm bound to see in this world, I would need to get…used…to it. Even though the thought of getting used to dead bodies made a knot curl in my stomach unpleasantly.
I was snapped out of my musings (I refused to think of it as brooding) when Ayumi's voice piped up from my side, making my head turn to the other kids. "What's wrong, Conan-kun?" She asked in worry, brows furrowed in concern. A smile twitched on my lips despite the dark circles under my eyes and the pale complexion of my face due to not getting any sleep.
"Your face looks terrible!" Genta said, looking down at Conan with wide eyes. I had to keep from laughing at that; he did look really terrible. During the week, I had noticed Genta said the most amusing things without even trying; a natural at getting people to smile, even in the worst circumstances. He'd done it to me several times today, as well. I wonder if he did it on purpose…
"Did you catch another cold?" Mitsuhiko asked and we all stopped as Conan continued to wobble in place. That alcohol seriously left him on for a rope, I thought bemusedly. "I don't think he did, Tsuburaya-kun." I grinned sharply, watching Conan's dulled eyes look over to me half-heartedly with twinkling eyes. Mitsuhiko looked at me curiously. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think he'd be having a hangover; though, I doubt it, since we're only kids. Right, Edogawa-kun?" I turned to him as I watched him hiding another wide-eyed, suspicious look. Haha, this was too much fun! Messing with Shinichi, I mean.
"Well," I turned from him, licking my dry lips. "I should get going; I have to go meet my sister!" With that, I dashed off, bidding the Detective Boys, and one pint-sized Kudou Shinichi, goodbye. I headed for the bus that Kaito had showed me before and got on, giving the bus driver an innocent smile and look, before taking a seat in the first row, which was empty.
I swung my legs in thought as the bus began to drive, my hand coming up to cup my chin in the classic 'thinking pose'. My brown eyes narrowed dangerously; looks like I'd have no choice but to go to Akako. I'd thought all night and couldn't come to a conclusion for the voice, and she was my only option. Hopefully she'd answer my question this time without charging, as well. Though, perhaps she wouldn't. It all depended on her mood, probably and she was as whimsical as they get.
My teeth clashed together silently as I switched my attention to outside the window, hand coming down to clasp the straps of my backpack instead. I blinked as the bus came to a stop and I got off hurriedly, giving the man a 'thank you' and then heading off in the direction of Akako's house once I passed the Teimuzu River. It was a long trek to the woods in front of her house – I texted Kaito 'I'll be at Akako-neesan's house; call if you need to talk to me – Alice' with my clumsy fingers – and I hesitated before going inside. This forest was downright creepy, but it was the only way there. It made me wonder if she had to walk through it everytime she went somewhere. It seems like it would be a hassle, but maybe she just magicked herself to school instead. She was a witch, after all – why not use it to her advantage?
I sucked in a deep breath. Here goes nothing. My leg stuck out and I placed it down softly on the loose dirt of the almost-hidden trail. However, instead of getting that feeling of unwelcome, a somewhat warm feeling curled in my chest protectively and as I walked further in, the trees brushed against me gently – quite unlike last times scratchy encounter. It was more like a 'welcome home' than anything else. Still kinda creepy, but a nice change. The walk through the forest was pleasant this time – I tried not to dwell on the stillness it still possessed, though; no animals, no nothing.
Akako's house was still freaky as hell, though, I noted with a deadpanned face once I reached the clearing. Some things would never change, it seems. I was quick to walk up to her door and I didn't flinch much – hah, who was I trying to kid? – when her butler opened the door again. He looked down at me with his inhumanly sharp grin once more before he took a deep breath in what seemed to be surprise. He scooted back a bit politely and I stepped forward – my nose crinkled in distaste; incense again – keeping one eye on him, which seemed to unnerve the demon-butler. Huh…
"Akako-sama is waiting for you in the first living room." He told me, pointing one long-nailed finger down the hall. "Do you remember where it is, Alice-sama?" Alice-sama? I bit back an amused snort at the title. I nodded, my bangs falling into my eyes slightly. "Yes, I do. Thank you." With a cautious smile, I continued down the hall and knocked on the door to the living room I had walked through before.
"Come in," Akako's smooth voice answered and I obliged, the door swinging open after I turned the knob. Ugh…the smell is stronger in here. Must be because of the burning sticks on the table, I guessed. Akako was sitting on the large couch regally, legs and arms crossed casually as a superior smirk adorned her lips.
I came closer before hopping up onto the couch with her, making sure to stay far from the couch handles. Guh…creepy snakes. Her dark red eyes trailed to me and I had to keep myself from staring again. She giggled, the bell-like sound sending a chill down my spine and effectively keeping me from falling under her spell. "I always wondered why you fell under it the first time, but it makes sense now." I blinked at her. Huh? She was quick to change the subject, though.
"Anyways, you came to me for questions, right?" She didn't even wait for my answer. "So, go on. It's free – they're just questions, after all, and it has everything to do with you. If it was questions about someone else, though, I'd have to charge." She raised a delicate brow in my direction, and I quickly shook my head.
"Uh…no, it's not concerning some else…," I trailed. How the heck would I put this? If said the wrong way, it could earn me a one way trip to the nearest psychiatrist. "A-Ah, well, you see…I kind of sort of got involved in a murder case and…well, during the ending, when the murderer was about to attack us, …erm, a…voice….spoke…," I hesitated for moment before forcing the words off my tongue. "…in my head."
She let out a hair-raising laugh and I scowled at her. She didn't need to make fun of me! She stifled her laughter and the next words that came out of her mouth were not what I was expecting. "I'm sorry, Alice, I forgot to tell you about that." She giggled, hand coming up to brush her hand along my cheek before trailing up, one finger beginning to tap my right temple. Her fingers were cold and slender, making me sleepy for some strange reason.
"Don't worry; you're not crazy." …I'm not…? My mind was getting drowsy, my lids fluttering as they became heavy. "It's common in magical beings to have an instinctive voice that tells them to do some things that they're supposed to do in that type of situation. For witches, it's also common; your voice probably said something like, 'cast a protection spell' or something of the like, am I right?" Her voice was soothing and I wanted nothing more than to go to sleep, but I struggled to keep my eyes open.
"Actually, it said… 'protect what's yours'… I think it was referring to the kids that were…with me…," My mouth seemed to not be cooperating with me, as my words came out slow and hazy. The incense in the room seemed to grow stronger and my mind blanked for a moment before it came back. The tapping on my forehead stopped for a moment before starting up again, almost in time with my thoughts.
Akako let out an interested hum. "Try not to let it bother you too much; along with the dead body. People die all the time; it wasn't your fault, no matter how much you feel guilty," before she murmured one sweet saying that killed all my will power. "Sleep, child…," I collapsed onto the couch as if on command, eyes shutting and mind succumbing to the darkness of rest.
ooOOoo
Akako looked down at the small, sleeping, form of Alice before she looked up as her butler entered. "Akako-sama, it seems that her body is already growing accustomed to this dimension." He rumbled, glancing down at the child before looking back up to his master.
"Yes, it would seem so." She mumbled somewhat pensively, brushing a piece of Alice's dark brown locks from her face before standing up, a blanket appearing in her hands from nowhere and placing it on the girl. She turned to her servant. "It might become a problem, and those possessive instincts…it's almost like she's…," Akako trailed, hand coming up to gently grasp her chin in thought.
"Do you think she will transform completely?" Her butler asked, interested in the trans-dimensional not-child. Akako turned to him seriously, "I don't think she will, but she'll definitely gain more characteristics as she continues to live here. For her to change completely, it will take something big and powerful. She's lucky that side of her hadn't been awakened before she arrived here, because the power it took to get here would have surely changed her completely to what she's supposed to be."
Akako walked out of the living room, butler following her, ready to serve at a moment's notice. "Akako-sama, won't her witch blood stop her from changing, though?" The red-haired witch shook her head, long tresses swaying with the movement as she led them both down to one of her 'lairs'.
"No, it won't stop anything; she can't help who she is. Just because she's, technically, a witch doesn't change the fact that she's also not human." She stated correctly, grabbing her black cloak and putting it on easily. They headed down some concrete stairs to a large cavern-type room. She had some questions to ask Lucifer. Especially since the wretched fallen angel hadn't informed her about this turn of events the first time she had learned about her not-sister.
Review Replies:
To: Critics – Ah, thank you. I can't believe I messed that up. (haha, shows how much knowledge I have about Japanese honorifics. XDD) I will have to change that when I get the time; currently, I'm too busy studying for some major tests coming up to go through the last chapter and the chapter before that, scoping for whenever I used that. I, truthfully, shouldn't have even written this chapter, but I'm horrible when it comes to keeping schedules. Lol. And facial expressions – I'll try to work on that, too, but it's kind of hard, since it's (mostly) always in Alice's POV. But, I'll try my best! ^^ Genta and Mitsuhiko will get their chance to interact more with Alice further into the story, since I couldn't find a good place for them to interact yet. But, it'll get there. Promise. Also, yes, Alice is taller than Ayumi and Conan but only by an inch or so. She's still shorter than Mitsuhiko and Genta. She was only bringing this up to tease him about his height – despite her almost similar stature. Thank you for your review. It helped me a lot. ^^
-Next chapter may take some time, unless I am a horrible student, once again (which is very likely to happen)… XD;;;
-Edit: Barely anything; I feel proud. XDDD