A/N: For those of you who wrote entire reviews doing nothing more than criticizing my ability to conjugate Latin, I'll repeat something I said in the author's note of the last chapter: I did not come up with this phrase. I did not conjugate it. I have never taken any sort of Latin class. In other words: read author's notes before criticizing. They're important. For those of you who reviewed nicely: Thank you! Reviews inspire me.
Disclaimer: If I owned DC, it wouldn't be nearly as successful as it is. The Rat and Crème de Cassis belong to me.
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Edogawa Conan was tired. No, exhausted. He'd been running –sprinting – for how long? He didn't know anymore. For every smooth breath in, there were two ragged ones out. He tasted blood in his mouth, but he knew there wasn't any. Running so far, for so long. He would never find her. Not at this rate. Never. Why had she left? What was her reason? Why hadn't she said anything? Why- There. She was there. Within reach. He stumbled, but kept running. There. In the rain. He saw his own arm stretch out – he couldn't feel it – watched, as it grasped her arm, pulling her to a halt. He drew in a happy, rough breath. She turned to face him
"Who are you?" His breath froze in his throat, and the rest of him followed suit.
"Ai… No. How…? You- you don't…?" She sent him a cold, blank look.
"My name isn't Ai." She shook his slackened grip off of her arm, "and get off of me." She turned away, looking disgusted, and continued walking.
Edogawa Conan crumpled to the ground, his fists clenched. The rain pounded down upon him, but it failed to keep his head down. "AI!" He roared, "COME BACK! Please…"
The girl in front of him stopped. She simultaneously thought he was pathetic and sweet. She turned around slowly, and walked towards him – his head was bowed once more. He wasn't expecting her to come back. She stopped in front of him, and stretched out a hand, which she nestled in his hair. "Just kidding, Kudo." She said softly. And he was too relieved to be indignant.
---
I shook my head violently. Idle thoughts. Pointless thoughts. Things I haven't thought about in years… I bit my lip and tugged at my cuffs again. The skin of my wrist was now bloody and bruising, but getting out of here before they came was more important than the pain. Come on, come on… I've got to catch a plane to Chicago! Kuso… Another tug. An involuntary wince.
The radiator wasn't budging. I was surprised that it had taken this long for the organization's representatives to get here. Perhaps Crème de Cassis was stalling them. Or – I looked around – they were already here. Perhaps they were waiting for me to escape and get my hopes up, and then they would kill me. It was cold enough, cruel enough, to suit them perfectly.
I examined the cuffs again. There had to be at least one weak link in them. There always was. The number of criminals that had escaped thanks to a weak pair of cuffs… The obnoxious sound of my cell phone beeping shook me out of my reverie. I reached around to my back right pocket, my shoulder objecting all the while, and fished the phone out. On the screen was a text message, short and to the point.
The radiator, idiot.
I raised my eyebrows slowly. Advice? From who? The only one who knew of my plight was… No way. Her? Crème de Cassis? Surely not. But… Oh, fuck it. Does it matter who it's from? I gritted my teeth, tensed my muscles, and wished I still had my super sneakers – this was going to be painful. I looked at the rusty wall attachments for a long moment, and convinced myself I was kicking a soccer ball. A very metallic soccer ball.
Pain. Blinding pain. I bit my lip and knelt on the ground – if only to be on the same level as the now-detached radiator. That hadn't helped. That really hadn't helped. I was still attached to it, and now it was on the floor. Just as I was about to set off into a swearing tirade, my phone rang again. I began the tirade nonetheless, and scrabbled for the obnoxiously vibrating lump of useless metal. I made a mental note to change my ring tone.
Another text flashed on the screen, and I rolled my eyes. It was the same number as before, and it was just as sarcastic.
Not that part of the radiator, baka. Did you not notice the immense rusted section right next to the cuffs? One good kick should do it.
I looked at the radiator again. Ah, yes, that enormous rusted section. How did I not notice th- Wait. Someone's watching me. Are the messages really to help me, or… My earlier thoughts came back to me with a jolt. What if they're letting me escape so I can lead them to Shiho? Then… they can kill us both. Defiantly, I stood and readied myself for another kick. I would not succumb to my own panicked thoughts. Since when do I have 'what if' thoughts, anyway?
With my body bent over as it was, I looked like I was bowing – not the best stance to kick something from. Nevertheless, I sucked in a breath and told myself that I was kicking an easy penalty. A winning penalty.
The sound of metal breaking is not a pretty one. The sound of bones breaking, even less so. At least I was no longer attached to the radiator. I paused for a second to take stock of my injuries. My right wrist was bleeding, and it was currently a nasty shade of purple. I was fairly certain that I had broken at least two toes, but I would deal with that later. Right now, I was hot on the scent of the most important case of my life.
No one was shooting at me. There was no organization member approaching me with a smirk on their face. Nothing. Hope springs eternal, I thought, and limped towards the door. I could buy clothes and other equipment when I got to Chicago.
My fist closed around the door handle, and I almost smiled. It wasn't much, but it was a step closer nonetheless. Closer to… her. I swung the door open slowly and stepped into the damp autumn air. At least it wasn't raining anymore. Alright, if I- Cold. Metallic. Circular… No. Not now. Not here… A chilling 'click' resounded just above my ear. Despite the bravery I thought I had within me, despite all the people who had told me, time and time again, that I was the bravest man they knew, I froze. I felt beads of sweat form on the back of my neck, and my heart pounded. All the bravery and bravado in the world couldn't save me now.
"Ooh, so close, Tantei-san. I wasn't expecting you to be intelligent enough to escape, but it would have been interesting nonetheless." My eyes closed slowly. I knew that voice anywhere.
"Gin… How?" My throat was tight, and my voice, high.
"Nice deduction there, meitantei. Did you really think that jail would keep me entertained for long?" My eyes were still closed, but I could see his expression swimming in front of me. Smirking as always, blue-grey eyes shining with unholy glee. The same way he'd looked when he'd nearly killed Shiho, so many years ago.
"Why now?" I whispered, and I could sense something in Gin's demeanour change.
"That's what I said." Gin snapped the words out, but there was something about the way he said them that seemed almost… Compassionate? He drew the gun back from my temple, and drew a shaky breath. Reluctantly, I opened my eyes. His face was one I had hoped I would never have to see again.
"What do you mean, 'that's what I said?' To who?" My voice was hoarse, and I simply wanted to run, but I got the feeling that he would shoot me if I tried anything.
His hand suddenly gripped my shoulder, and I drew in a ragged breath. His long, thin fingers dug into my skin as his grip grew ever tighter. "That's what I asked myself on the day she left, tantei." Confusion washed over me, then he laughed, let go, and pushed me away roughly. "Go, baka tantei. Find her. Do what I couldn't."
I was too relieved to do anything but run.
---
A pair of cold blue-grey eyes watched the ever-popular detective as he sprinted as quickly as his injured body would carry him. Enjoy yourself, Tantei-san. She's not the sort to be found easily. The man's thin fingers brushed over the smooth scar tissue on the side of his face. Not easily at all.
For the second time that day, a member of one of the most feared criminal organizations in the world called a certain boss to explain that they'd been bested by a 22-year-old detective. For the second time that day, a member of the blackest criminal organization to ever exist rethought everything they'd done to get to where they were. And for the second time that day, they smirked and left the house of Kudo Shinichi.
Good luck, tantei-san. The two members, miles away from each other, smiled sadly. Bravery is a rare thing.
---
As I jogged down the soaked streets, headed towards the nearest taxi stand, I noticed that I was getting any number of wide-eyed stares from the few people I passed. I knew I was limping, but surely that wasn't enough to garner the fear I saw in their eyes. It was when one passer-by, a teenage schoolgirl, sent a pointed stare towards my right wrist that I understood. In the same instant, I realized that I wasn't going to get very far with a pair of handcuffs dangling off of me. I stopped, there in the middle of the sidewalk – earning me further stares.
People nervously edged past me as I stared into the distance. Where can I get these things taken off? The police would find it suspicious, The Professor probably doesn't have some machine that's ready-made for taking handcuffs off, and- I frowned. My last option was not a pleasant one, but they're called 'last options' for a reason.
Half an hour later, I found myself, drenched and scowling, in front of what had once been a majestic office building. Or perhaps it had always been nondescript and crumbling. I didn't claim to know.
With a sigh of trepidation, I shoved my shoulder against the cold metal of the door. Steel doors? What had this place been, a prison? I leaned against it for a while, adding pressure slowly, until it lurched open with the distinctive sound issued by all doors not oft opened.
I stepped inside, and waited for the halfhearted attack that I knew would come. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6… There. A hairy arm encircled my neck and pulled me backwards in a pitiful attempt at choking me. I almost wanted to let the idiot carry to, just to see if he was actually capable of cutting off my breath. But I was in a hurry. I drew my arm up slowly, giving him time to cut off his feeble attempt. Obviously, he was too absorbed. I shoved my elbow into his flabby stomach, and took relish in his pained groan.
"It's me, Rat. Do you always try to strangle your customers?" The potbellied man, still doubled over, stared up at me, his beady eyes analyzing my appearance.
"K- Kudo-kun! You didn't have to hit me that hard." He puffed hard, and straightened up. Meanwhile, I marveled at the fact that this paunchy little man had once been a skilled thief. "Alright, Kudo," he said, wincing with every word, "Whaddya want?"
I sighed, held up my hand, and he broke into a waterfall of loud guffaws. "Yes," I snapped, "I know it's funny. Now will you cut it already?" The idiot looked as though he'd been given a large dose of laughing gas. I watched him for a moment – he was still clutching his stomach, but now he was both shaking violently and laughing hysterically. I could see his fat rolls wobbling. I grimaced. Some thief.
"A- alright, Kudo-kun," he panted, "I'll cut them. However, you have to tell me how in hell you got arrested."
I sighed. "Fine, fine. Whatever. Just get me out of this thing." The fat idiot chuckled again and grabbed the cuffs, dragging me to a sinister-looking grinder in an adjoining room. I explained my story as quickly as I could, annoyed at how amusement twinkled in his beady black eyes. He stopped me, however, when I mentioned Gin.
The amused sparkle disappeared from his eyes, and was replaced by an ominous light. "If you know Gin, then," he looked up from his work on my cuffs, "then you must know Vodka." I nodded slowly. What was his point? He smirked. "Come on out, my friend."
The great hulking man that I had always known to accompany Gin appeared out of the shadows, a crooked smile on his face. I wrenched my wrist from the Rat's grip, and tensed into something between a fighting stance and a slouch of defeat. Vodka held up his hands innocently, and I noted that there was nowhere on him in which he could hide weapons that would be any real threat to me. Reluctantly, I relaxed.
The Rat laughed. "Ah, I see you two remember each other. How very touching." Vodka simply watched me, an uncharacteristic smirk on his face. After a long moment, the Rat turned to face me again. "Come on, now. Let me get these cuffs off. The Pit Bull ain't gonna hurt ya." I rolled my eyes. The Rat and the Pit Bull. Where does this guy get these names from? I winced as said Rat pulled my wrist over the grinder again – the thought of that thing biting into my flesh was not a pleasant one.
Ten tense minutes went by before the smooth steel of my cuffs finally snapped. Vodka, having loomed over my shoulder the entire time, disappeared back into the shadows at a gesture from the Rat. I figured that I should take my leave as well, and was about to make my way to the door when the Rat's hairy hands grabbed hold of my shoulders.
I didn't even bother to turn around this time. "What do you want, Rat?"
I heard his laboured breathing behind my head, could smell his (fittingly) cheesy breath swirling about my nose. "Why, Kudo? Why d'ya help me when you know I'm a criminal?" I turned, saw the heartfelt question in his eyes, and smiled. A case that I'd had in New York City flashed back to me.
"Is a reason necessary?" He looked confused, and I clarified in the same manner that I had back then. "I wouldn't know the motives for killing a person, but as far as helping a person is concerned, why should there be a logical mind?"
The Rat smirked, and patted me on the back. "Go on, Kudo, and come back whenever you need to." I paused, in an attempt to think up something fitting to say, but he waved me off. "Hurry up and leave. I don't want your presence to scare the other customers."
I smiled and left. Whoever said all criminals were bad guys?
---
Outside, the rain still splattered upon the streets, and the turbulent grey clouds hovering above promised more. I stood stock still for a moment, letting the rain pound upon my back – I needed to mull things over. Vodka's out. Gin's out. If both of them managed to escape, then… I groaned softly, Vermouth and… The Boss. Both of them, released upon the world again. Released upon Shiho again.
I snapped out of my reverie. I had to plan things properly, if those two were out again, but speed was now even more of an issue. I stared walking. Movement had always helped me think things through. I need a soccer ball to juggle. If I go to Agasa Hakase, and book a flight to Chicago, then I'll be sure to get on. If I go straight to the airport, however, and there's a flight soon, everything will be faster.
The last time I hadn't thought things through before doing something against the black organization, both Shiho and I had nearly died. On the other hand, the last time I hadn't been quick enough, they'd found me before I could prepare properly. Officers Takagi and Satou had narrowly saved me. I was no longer sure if there was a happy medium.
My head jerked up, tearing my glazed stare from the sidewalk. I almost smiled. Somehow, almost unconsciously, I had ended up in front of Agasa Hakase's house.
I brushed my soaked hair away from my eyes, and knocked on the oaken door I knew so well. Hakase's traditional bellow of "Coming! Just give me a second!" Rung out, and I smiled. Some things never change.
The mustached man I had known since I was a child – both the second and the first time – grinned broadly upon seeing my face. "Shinichi! It's been ages! Come in, come in." He waved me inside and I smiled sadly. Telling him that the Black Organization was back and was after Shiho once more would be hard. However, there was no other way to explain my sudden need to fly to Chicago.
"Alright, Shinichi-kun," Agasa said, his expression still cheerful, "I recognize that expression. What do you want?" I sighed. He always had gotten to the point quickly.
"Hakase," I murmured, "they're back." For a long moment, that cheerful expression hung on his face. It seemed so out of place with the rain outside, splattering on the windows. But Hakase was always happy.
He looked down, then up at me again. "Are they…?" He trailed off, knowing I knew what his question was.
"Yes," I said softly, watching his expression go from dejected to despondent, "they are." Hakase, I'm sorry.
"You promised to protect her." He said it with a smile that baffled me – how could he be happy?
Nevertheless, I nodded slowly. "I did." His grin grew. But there's darkness in his eyes. Determination?
"What do you need me to do to get you to wherever you think she is?" He looked… Not quite confident, but more determined than I had ever seen him.
"Tickets to Chicago on a flight that leaves today." I said, still baffled by his faith in me.
He nodded. "Consider it done," he reached out, patted me on the back, and said, "It'll take a sec. Go to your house and get some travel supplies." With that, he dashed off to the nearest computer, and I headed – reluctantly – to my house. Too many bad things had happened there in the last 24 hours.
---
I opened the heavy double doors with trepidation – after all, the last time they'd swung open by my hand, Crème de Cassis had been waiting for me. This time, though, there was no strange dressed in black. In fact, it looked much the same as it always did, though the front hall radiator was in pieces on the ground. My sore toes throbbed to remind me why.
I trudged up the stairs, heading for my room. It occurred to me, that if things went wrong, I might never see this place again. Then I wondered how many times I'd thought that before.
My bedroom… While before it had seemed inviting, it now seemed dark. Depressing. It reminded me of things that I didn't want to be reminded of. Perhaps I should move. I ran a hand through my hair, and my gaze fell upon a photo that had been on my bedside table since I had been 15.
It was of me and Ran, on our very first "date" to Tropical Land. I was in my classic pose – a peace sign and a grin, my left arm draped awkwardly around Ran's shoulders. She, too, was smiling. Only now did I notice the faint blush that painted her cheeks.
It had been a great day. We were both a bit old for amusement parks, but a rollercoaster is still a rollercoaster no matter how old you are. By some strange twist of fate, not even a petty crime was committed in my presence – it was the first time in a while that she and I had spent time together uninterrupted. Sonoko hadn't followed us, either. The day had been perfect. I should have told her that I loved her that day. I had chickened out. I wasn't brave. I never had been brave.
We were so happy back then, and I was the one that ruined it all. Why had I never told her that I loved her? Why had I said that I was in love with someone else the second time she'd confessed? Because you were. Because you are. I ruined it! I destroyed the one happy, stable relationship that I ever could have had. But I was in love. What's more important, love, or stability? Love. Stability. Why should I have to pick? Because I already have. Did I go for love over happiness? Would you be happier with Ran? More happy than I am with these women. What about Shiho? I don't know. Did you ever know? No.
I'd thought about confessing to her at Tropical Land, and I'd told her I was in love with someone else at Tropical Land. How very ironic. I closed my eyes, and saw her hurt expression swimming in front of my eyes. She hadn't cried. At least, she hadn't cried in front of me. Maybe she had later. Maybe I shouldn't have said that. Maybe I shouldn't have walked away. Maybe- I shook my head and opened my eyes. Too many 'maybe's. I'm over her. I have been for a long time.
I desperately needed to clear my mind, so I hauled my slightly battered grey suitcase out from under the bed. I froze and grimaced. Of all the times… On top of my suitcase laid another photograph. Conan and Ai. Me and Ai. I closed my eyes again, but no memories replayed. No thought of her smiling at me swam in my mind. I opened my eyes. Should images conjure memories? Does the fact that they don't mean that I'd be better off with Ran?
A loud beep tore me from my thoughts. My head jerked to the left, and my eyes scanned the wall. Nothing. No electronic items. The computer is on the other side of the room. I winced and pressed the heels of my hands to my eyes. I'm going crazy.
---
"Oh, Cool Guy. Your emotional distress is so very touching, but I'm afraid I don't have the time to watch that pretty little face of yours flip between sadness and happiness over and over again. Hopefully, my little beep has speeded you slightly. I so dearly want to kill Sherry, you know. Gin's love is still hers, I'm afraid."
The tall blonde woman, reclining in her chair, watched Shinichi throw clothing into his suitcase. I don't want you to die, Cool Guy. You got lucky today – even though I wasn't around to send orders, you still managed to avoid death. How do you do it? At any rate, you're safe whenever I'm around. The woman laughed softly. Well, safe to an extent.
"Good luck, Cool Guy. For now, I'm your guardian angel." Vermouth switched her camera to Agasa's and made a mental note of which flight Shinichi was being booked onto. If he was heading to Chicago, so was she.
---
I had never liked airports. All the ones I flew to and from were constantly crowded, practically bursting at the seams. More to the point, airports are terrible places to be when you're worried about something. Everyone else seems to be moving, going somewhere, and yet you're stuck in some crowded café, drinking a coffee that tastes like hot water.
Shiho's in Chicago. They're after her again. They're after me again. They're probably following me. I looked around, though I knew they wouldn't be obvious about it. They want me to lead them to Shiho. I want to see her again, but doing so will mean that they'll find her again, too. My head was enveloped by my hands once more. Would she be safer if didn't try to find her? Of course. Then again, they might find her anyway, and they'll still kill us both.
The scratchy high-pitched voice of some airport worker crackled over the speakers, announcing the 8:25 JAL flight to Chicago. Saved by the bell, I thought, but I knew my unsettled imaginings would continue as soon as I was on the plane. Perhaps I'll fall asleep. But sleep meant nightmares. It had for years.
---
Beside the softly snoring detective – sleep had come to him, despite his wishes – sat a tall black-haired woman, a smirk painting her face. Some detective, she thought, then again, no one could ever see through my disguises.
The woman sipped her tea. Cool Guy… Are you as trusting as you seem? She brushed his thick bangs out of his eyes. You barely took notice of me when I sat down here. She smirked. Or were you just hiding your knowledge of who I am? She watched the young man's chest rise and fall. Can you see right through me, Kudo Shinichi-kun? She sipped her tea again and returned her gaze to the back of the chair in front of her. We shall see.
---
In the very last seat of the plane, deep in the annals of Economy class, sat a woman, her hair silky and blonde. She wore sunglasses, though the plane's inner lights had been turned off long ago. Shin-tan… You know Vermouth is sitting next to you, right? The woman, so similar in looks and stature to the woman next to Shinichi, smiled. Falling for the subject. How very undisciplined of me. The woman stared solemnly down the aisle. She couldn't see him. She wished she could. She wanted to tell herself that she only wanted to be able to see him so that she knew he was safe, but that wasn't it. She wanted to watch him as he slept, as he read… As he did whatever he did when on a plane. She shook her head slowly. I am such an idiot. But she smiled, and her gaze down the aisle never faltered.
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A/N: Yes, I know what you're thinking: How on earth did it take him that long to write 9 and a half pages/sigh/ I know, I know. I've been stressed lately. Anyway, 'tis time to thank those that helped me to get this chapter out now and not ever later. Many thanks to Sonoko, Kaito, Vermouth, and Ai. You four have helped me through some rough times lately, so thanks a million. /bows/ And yes, Sonoko, I remain adamant that you have helped more than words can express. /cough/ Anyway, to the rest of my reviewers: THANK YOU! Reviews really do help me write, and I've certainly needed the help lately.